PTSD arrives because of the accident
When I was run off the road, my car went up over the curb, across a sidewalk, and into a field. As I struggled to keep control of the van on the rough ground, I saw that I was rapidly approaching a wide and deep drainage ditch. See photos of ditch.
The ditch was over 10 feet deep. As I saw this coming up, I feared for my life and Karla’s life. I braked and turned, and then came to a stop a few feet from the ditch. Then I backed up and got back on the road to follow Scheller who had sped away.
In the following weeks, I started to show upsetting symptoms such as being strongly frightened by loud noises such as things being dropped on the floor, blue jays calling in the yard, airplanes flying low overhead, trains, coyotes howling at night etc. I also suffered from severe panic attacks. I saw my doctor, Deanne Lembitz, who diagnosed the problems as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and prescribed medication and counseling therapy with Jacque Ristau, MS LPC. This diagnosis of PTSD was later confirmed by Psychologist Kent Tompkins, and Doctor of Psychology Nathan Demers. So, my condition was PTSD according to my doctor, a Psychologist, and a Doctor of Psychology. They all concurred that the experience of fearing for one’s life while approaching the deep ditch was sufficient to induce PTSD.
On June 27th 2016 I was admitted to ER due to a severe panic attack. Due to the fact that this condition had not improved, I was referred to the Neurofeedback Clinic of Northern Colorado for therapy. Their treatment was not helpful and actually made the condition worse.
These findings were relevant in a later civil suit that the Kings filed against Sharon Scheller.
I still have to deal with PTSD after the car accident of June 3, 2015 caused by Sharon Scheller. As a matter of fact, I had a panic attack while at the local library while I was coming down the stairs due to loud screaming by some kids. I took a fall on my back and hurt my spine. Now I have additional health problems with a damaged disk and its symptoms.
Karla also showed symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks after the accident. She too was diagnosed with PTSD. She had multiple therapy sessions from Dr. Holly Shaw, PhD LPC EMDR-II. These sessions addressed Karla’s problems, and the therapy was concluded.