2LittleSkittles
02-26-2007, 01:12 PM
I got into a wreck when I was 18 years old. I lost control of my Ford Taurus and drove it off a bridge, into a ditch. I was fine, except I have terrible crippling anxiety when I am in a car. Whether I am driving or not. I have such anxiety about it that I refuse to drive 30 miles to a town where my kids pediatrician is. I need to take my kids to the doc sometimes and I always schedule the appt to where my hubby can take us because I am terrified of driving on that highway. My 2 yr old needs to get a check up and I feel so mad at myself bc I just need to suck it up and make the trip but I am terrified i will have to pull over and have to have someone come get me. Does anyone have any advice for me? I have managed to start driving again, I drive mostly around my town (very small). I havent been driving again but for about 4 months. It took me all that time to even get behind the wheel agian. Any advice?
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Sannah
02-26-2007, 01:57 PM
Hi Skittles, how long ago was the accident? Have you suffered from anxiety before this?
stick2013
02-26-2007, 03:46 PM
Hi 2little,
Well all I can say is GREAT JOB.....You are at least driving again, and if you continue to do so, you will overcome the fear of driving down that road. One thing that you might want to try is this...... Go to the road, and STOP at the beginning.....Just sit there in your car. keep telling yourself it's OK....You are OK.....The ONLY way to get over the fear is to FACE it, and work through it. Everyday go back and drive a few feet in, pull over and stop....The FEELINGS that you have.......Are JUST feelings. They are from the trauma of the accident, but they CAN'T hurt you, or kill you.....Keep telling yourself that you are ok, focus on your breathing, and remember you are NOT having the accident, that was in the past, you are in the here and now, and are safe......
I know it sounds crazy to do this, but believe me....It will get you over this.......
Let us know how it goes...
Sid
Well all I can say is GREAT JOB.....You are at least driving again, and if you continue to do so, you will overcome the fear of driving down that road. One thing that you might want to try is this...... Go to the road, and STOP at the beginning.....Just sit there in your car. keep telling yourself it's OK....You are OK.....The ONLY way to get over the fear is to FACE it, and work through it. Everyday go back and drive a few feet in, pull over and stop....The FEELINGS that you have.......Are JUST feelings. They are from the trauma of the accident, but they CAN'T hurt you, or kill you.....Keep telling yourself that you are ok, focus on your breathing, and remember you are NOT having the accident, that was in the past, you are in the here and now, and are safe......
I know it sounds crazy to do this, but believe me....It will get you over this.......
Let us know how it goes...
Sid
theskater
03-01-2007, 05:44 PM
hi skittles__
i was actually just in a wreck myself for the first time ever (i'm 23) this past june.
i was less than a mile from work when a woman in the left turning lane on the opposite side of the road turned infront of me... hitting me on my left headlight. i was going around 50mph.
after i was hit, the impact detoured my car and sent it straight into a utility post. the tow-truck had to pry my car off of the pole, set it down, and repick it up in order to take it away.
funny you mentioned the car - i was driving a 98 ford taurus too.
i have to drive by the scene of the accident everyday and i still get really nervous about it. heck, i'm nervous about driving in general anymore.
i use to be so relaxed but now, if anyone comes within a 30ft radius, i can feel my anxiety levels soar.
it's gotten better over the last few months but it's hard to get over. especially if you're like me and think that you're invincible. :)
even when i drive with other people, i get extremely nervous and find myself not able to deal with the anxiety at times. so i usually wear a hat when i'm a passenger and just pull the hat down over my face.
but i have also thought too, and i'm not a religious person by any means, that when the time has come for me to leave this earth it will happen whether it's in a car or sitting on my porch swing.
the main thing is try to breathe and just work on making little goals for yourself. try to drive down a few streets w/o paranoia. i know it's hard but it helped me a bit. i believe that the incident has also left me with PTSD and/or depression since my knee hit the dash board i now have what is called patellar tracking disorder…and that's not good when you need your knees to play roller derby like i do. :) so it's rather depressing at times knowing it will never be the same.
hope this helps. :) keep your chin up.
holly
i was actually just in a wreck myself for the first time ever (i'm 23) this past june.
i was less than a mile from work when a woman in the left turning lane on the opposite side of the road turned infront of me... hitting me on my left headlight. i was going around 50mph.
after i was hit, the impact detoured my car and sent it straight into a utility post. the tow-truck had to pry my car off of the pole, set it down, and repick it up in order to take it away.
funny you mentioned the car - i was driving a 98 ford taurus too.
i have to drive by the scene of the accident everyday and i still get really nervous about it. heck, i'm nervous about driving in general anymore.
i use to be so relaxed but now, if anyone comes within a 30ft radius, i can feel my anxiety levels soar.
it's gotten better over the last few months but it's hard to get over. especially if you're like me and think that you're invincible. :)
even when i drive with other people, i get extremely nervous and find myself not able to deal with the anxiety at times. so i usually wear a hat when i'm a passenger and just pull the hat down over my face.
but i have also thought too, and i'm not a religious person by any means, that when the time has come for me to leave this earth it will happen whether it's in a car or sitting on my porch swing.
the main thing is try to breathe and just work on making little goals for yourself. try to drive down a few streets w/o paranoia. i know it's hard but it helped me a bit. i believe that the incident has also left me with PTSD and/or depression since my knee hit the dash board i now have what is called patellar tracking disorder…and that's not good when you need your knees to play roller derby like i do. :) so it's rather depressing at times knowing it will never be the same.
hope this helps. :) keep your chin up.
holly
stick2013
03-01-2007, 06:54 PM
Welcome Holly...................:) :) Hang around, post , jump in with both feet or just lurk and read. If you need help, just ask, and one of us will be glad to give you some help....
Sid
Sid
mama2izzy
03-01-2007, 07:24 PM
I am very interested in this thread. Back in 2002 when I was 19, I hit a patch of ice and rolled my SUV. I almost rolled down a hill into a lake but I hit this patch of trees that stopped the SUV. Ever since then I get panic attacks when others are driving or when I myself am driving. I refuse to drive in winter or in rain. It's really hard as I have a serious chronic health problem and need to get to the doctor pretty regularly, so I too end up making appointments when I know my husband can take me.
My husband is pretty understanding, but I can see sometimes he wishes I wasn't so paralyzed with fear. Just the thought of driving makes me just about shake...
My husband is pretty understanding, but I can see sometimes he wishes I wasn't so paralyzed with fear. Just the thought of driving makes me just about shake...