There are many dog owners in Pennsylvania. This unfortunately increases the likelihood of dog bite attacks happening. Most of these attacks are not from unknown dogs. Often, they are a family dog or a dog belonging to friends or relatives.
There are many negative impacts victims may face due to dog bite attacks. Today we will look at the mental repercussions in particular.
Mental effects of bite attacks
Science Direct discusses the consequences of dog bite incidents. These attacks affect every aspect of a victim’s life. There are varied mental effects, too. For example, many victims develop mental health problems. If problems existed, this incident may exacerbate them. Common examples include depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder.
Dog related phobias in bite victims
Victims also often develop phobias. Two common ones are a fear of leaving the home and a fear of dogs. The fear of leaving home stems from anxieties about future bite attacks. Many victims lose their trust in dogs and dog owners as well. They no longer feel safe around dogs. They no longer trust dog owners to be in control of their pets. This makes interacting with dogs an anxiety-provoking activity. If they live in an area with a lot of dogs, this is traumatic.
Physical injuries also have mental impacts. If victims suffer from scarring, it reminds them of the attack any time they look at themselves. This can evoke feelings of shame, anxiety and dread.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell exactly how someone will react to a bite attack. But these traumatic moments often have a negative impact. It is important to be aware of this.