This is a health issue, so I'm posting it here, but it's also a legal question, I guess, because I'm wondering if anyone has ever collected from an insurance company for pain and suffering after a car accident that left you unable to resume your normal work out schedule.

A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with clinical depression and I was prescribed a variety of the usual antidepressants, but it wasn't until I took up cycling that I found my mental health balance. I've been off all those meds for over a year.

Three weeks ago I was rear-ended at a stop light - a seemingly minor incident, but it left me with whiplash, the usual stiffness and soreness for a few days, and a sprained tendon in my left wrist. I have been unable to ride my bike, even on a trainer, ever since, because of the strain of holding up my head and the pressure on the sprained tendon. I've also been unable to resume my swim workouts until this week, and then it was pretty horrible how slow I'd become and how much my form had deteriorated.

What has worried me most, though, was how quickly the emotional imbalance descended upon me. I've had two major depressive episodes in the last three weeks, one in front of a parent volunteer, a teacher, and her class of 22 second graders just as they were coming into the library where I was going to read them a story.

I've been fighting racing thoughts and a feeling of fragility and unevenness, like I'm under attack or something, even though I know I'm not. I feel constantly on edge.

Driving on the freeway in traffic is extremely stressful, too.

I've been asked to submit an accident journal along with my receipts for the medical treatments and other expenses I've incurred because of the accident. The other driver's insurance has accepted full liability.

The damage to my car was just over $1,000. The initial estimate was superficial and just $400, so when I mentioned the above medical and emotional issues to the insurance company rep, he wondered how I could be suffering so much from such a minor impact. I told him it had surprised me, too. Then I learned yesterday what the extent of the damage had been.

At least I know I'm not going crazy, that I'm not imagining the physical pain and I'm not having some random relapse of the emotional stuff. This is really happening, and this time I've told my MD, my chiropractor, and my husband, and a couple of close friends, so they're watching me. I refused to go back on the antidepressants. I really just need to get back on the bike and back in the pool as soon as possible.

There's the challenge, though. I also need to heal. I will heal physically and get back into my routine before any antidepressants have a chance to take effect, so I don't want to get back on them. Getting off them was a challenge in itself.

My question for you guys is, how do I best express this to the insurance company? I've never really dealt with a pain and suffering statement before. But I have been in real pain, and I have really been suffering.

What should I do?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Roxy