28 Apr The Role of Mental Health Professionals in Proving Emotional Distress
Emotional injury is the psychological pain inflicted by another’s act or failure to act, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. In Jackson’s court cases, such as workers’ compensation or personal injury, one needs to establish such effects, although it is difficult because there is no physical evidence.
If you’re looking for a claim of emotional distress, a personal injury lawyer in Jackson can help you navigate the process. The professional can also ensure mental health professionals affirm your claim so that the case becomes more sound through professional diagnoses and reports.
Let us take a look at the major role that mental health practitioners play in determining emotional distress and how their presence can seal a case.
1. Assessment and Diagnosis
One of the first roles which mental health practitioners have in inducing emotional distress is assessing the mental health of the individual. Using established psychological tests, interviews, and diagnostic criteria, they are able to determine whether the individual is suffering from a psychological condition. In a legal context, these diagnoses can provide solid evidence of the emotional suffering experienced by the claimant.
Mental health professionals use tools such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD, all of which may be considered forms of emotional distress. This objective diagnosis helps differentiate genuine emotional harm from temporary emotional reactions that do not rise to the level of distress recognized by law.
2. Providing Expert Testimony
In a court proceeding, mental health professionals typically present themselves as expert witnesses. Their role is to explain how the emotional distress has impacted the individual’s life, both short and long term. They can present evidence of the severity of the psychological injury, its cause, and how it has affected the individual’s ability to function in his or her daily life.
3. Documenting the Impact of Emotional Distress
Mental health professionals document the emotional suffering a person experiences through treatment plans, progress reports, and therapy notes. The documents are very useful in court cases because they are a detailed, professional record of the emotional suffering. They can document the frequency and severity of the distress, how this affects the individual’s ability to perform daily tasks, and whether this has resulted in physical symptoms like insomnia or weight loss.
This documentation creates a chronological record of the emotional damage, which can be used as evidence in court. The more comprehensive and detailed the documentation, the stronger the case for proving emotional distress.
4. Treatment and Prognosis
Another key aspect that mental health professionals provide in emotional distress claims is the treatment plan and prognosis. A mental health expert can explain what treatments were prescribed (such as therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes) and whether the claimant is making progress in managing their emotional distress. Additionally, they can provide insight into whether the person is likely to experience ongoing emotional struggles, which can be used to assess the long-term impact of the distress.
5. Clarifying the Causation of Emotional Distress
Proving that emotional distress was caused by a specific event—such as an accident, injury, or wrongful act—is a key challenge in these cases. Mental health professionals help clarify this causation by linking the psychological condition to the event. Through their assessments and professional judgment, they can offer expert opinions on how the individual’s emotional state directly relates to the incident in question.
More information:
- What are the causes and symptoms of emotional distress?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/emotional-distress
- How to Recognize Emotional Distress, Plus 5 Tips to Help You Cope
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/emotional-distress - If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol conditions, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.govor call 800-662-HELP (4357).
- US. veterans or service members who are in crisis can call 988 and then press “1” for the Veterans Crisis Line. Or text 838255. Or chat online.
- The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
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Last Updated on April 28, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD
