There are many dogs in Connecticut. Most people know at least one dog owner in their life. Unfortunately, a higher number of dogs means a higher chance of a dog bite attack happening.
Victims deal with physical and emotional scars, too. Today we will look at some of the “invisible” injuries after a dog attack.
Mental health and dog bites
Most people focus on the physical effects of dog bites. This makes sense, as these injuries are easy to see. Anyone can look at someone and notice a physical scar. However, victims often suffer from mental scars as well.
It is common in victims for bite attacks to exacerbate old mental health problems. For example, a victim with a history of anxiety may have a relapse in panic attacks. Their experience may shove them back into a depressive state of mind.
The development of phobias and PTSD
New problems may appear as well. Dog bite victims may develop issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many have trouble managing their symptoms. They may not even know the condition that they are suffering.
The development of phobias may also happen. The two most common phobias associated with bite attacks are cynophobia and agoraphobia. Cynophobia is a fear of dogs, while agoraphobia is a fear of leaving the house.
