Case Study 2: Hannah, age 55, was in a major car accident 20 years ago during a cross country trip. Ever since, she has been unable to drive on major highways. Although she does drive, she goes to great length to travel only on back roads and scenic routes. She is able to go where she wants but it often takes her much longer to get there than it should.





I believe that Hannah is suffering from Chronic Post traumatic Stress Disorder. Because the accident happened 20 years ago and she is still unable to cope means that disorder is chronic and not acute. Post traumatic Stress Disorder effects people that have been in an extreme life-threatening experience. And like Hannah, they take extreme measures to avoid the feelings or places that they associate with their accident. During the cross country trip,20 years ago, Hannah must have had that accident on a highway. And now in terrible fear of another life-threatening accident on the highway, she avoids them.

My treatment for Hannah is that I highly recommend that she sees a therapist for post traumatic stress disorder. That is the only was that she will be able to cope with the accident. And soon one day she will overcome her fear of highways.