Aim. Many authors agree to indicate some psychiatric disorders (post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSDs, and adjustment disorders) as frequent consequences of. severe road traffic accidents. Aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence, clinical and cognitive peculiarities of PTSD following road traffic accidents. Methods. A group of subjects with PTSD diagnosis founded on DSM IV criteria has been individuated in a sample of 120 subjects suffering from severe road traffic accidents (with threat to life or to one's and parental health) with consequent head injuries; subjects affected by PTSD have been evaluated with rating scales like Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Disability Scale. The sample has been divided into 2 subgroups, the first with traumatic brain injuries, the second without them, to individuate probable differences. Results. A diagnosis of PTSD has been formulated in 39 of 120 subjects (32.5%); only 14 of these (35.9%) have suffered a traumatic brain injury. The sample of subjects without a traumatic brain injury has pointed out less psychopathological symptoms. a better cognitive and global functioning pattern compared to the sample suffering a traumatic brain injury. Conclusion. Finally, it has been concluded that PTSD can occur in subjects suffering a commotive head injury too, despite this correlation has been considered by some authors like a clinical paradox.

Psychiatric disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjustment disorders, are becoming more frequently recognized as a potential result after a severe road traffic accident. This article reports on a study undertaken to evaluate the incidence, clinical, and cognitive peculiarities of PTSD following road traffic accidents. The study included a group of subjects diagnosed with PTSD in a sample of 120 subjects who experienced a severe road traffic accident (defined as one including threat to life or to health) with consequent head injuries. Subjects with PTSD were evaluated with diagnostic instruments including the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and a Disability Scale. The participants were divided into two groups: those with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and those without them. The diagnosis of PTSD was found in 39 of 120 subjects (32.5%); only 14 of these (35.9%) had suffered a TBI. However, the group without TBI experienced fewer psychopathological symptoms and a better cognitive and global functioning pattern compared to those who had TBI. The authors conclude by discussing their findings in light of earlier hypotheses that people who had TBI would not also experience PTSD.