Accident Induced PTSD

[gracer]

Hello everyone!


I must admit that until now, I still haven't been able to fully train myself to drive. I'm just so afraid that I would hit someone walking or cycling on the side of the road. I get very nervous whenever I'm already behind the wheels, especially when I'm on a very busy street. I really don't know if it had something to do with the road accidents I've experienced when i was still a little girl.


Have you ever been in road accidents yourself? How did they affect you mentally?

 

[kgord]

I have been in a few accidents although most of them were minor in nature. They haven't affected me, but I could see how if you were in a major accident how that could affect your sense of wellbeing and willingness to drive. It sounds like something that you might be able to get systematic desentization for, like is done with phobias so you gradually decreased your fear about driving. Also, just gradual exporsure may be something you can practice, to reduce your fear.

 

[theduck7]

I have been in a couple of ditches during the winter and once during the summer when I was driving on a gravel road. I'm not afraid to drive in winter but if I think about my accidents it definitely makes me more cautious. Gravel roads do make me nervous though especially if they are curvy. I don't know if that is because of my experience of not because that was on a straight road. I'm always worried that I will be going around a curve too fast and meet someone coming the other way and I'll have to swerve into a ditch to avoid hitting them.

 

[gracer]

I don't know if you guys also experience this, but there were times when I would dream about me meeting an accident on the road and it would actually feel so real when I wake up. I guess this is why I always feel nervous on the road whenever I'm riding a public transport and it speeds up, I feel like my heart is going to jump out off my chest. This is how I also feel when I'm riding a car with my dad driving because he drives very fast even at his old age.

 

[DDNatureLover]

I've been in multiple accidents over my lifetime, and was still fine with being in a car and also driving, until I witnessed an accident where someone died. After that, i stopped driving. It took me years before I figured out why I wasn't driving, because it wasn't really necessary where I lived, so I didn't really have to confront the issue. When I wanted to start driving again, even though I had my license, I took semi-private lessons, to rebuild my confidence, and it helped. I also did a lot of practicing on back roads. I never actually doubted my skills or abilities, but was always (and still am, after a few other accidents) concerned about the other drivers on the road. I definitely prefer less traveled roads and driving at night, when there's less traffic.

 

[Alexa]

I would freeze at four way stops, where my accident occurred. It wasn't my fault, a married couple were fighting and the wife sped away from the husband, who was behind her in a different car. She ran the stop sign. Over the years, I have slowly worked my way through it, forcing myself to use four way stops instead of avoid them. I still feel the slightest bit of anxiety, but I no longer dread them.

 

[DDNatureLover]

I can definitely understand your fear of four way stops. If everyone followed the rules, they could be very routine places, but alas, many people disregard the rules of the road, and they can be hazardous spots. I will sometimes let the other person go even though I have the right of way, and I've seen others do the same, rather than having someone plow into us. Unfortunately, despite all of our precautions, there are dangerous drivers, and all we can do is minimize their ability to endanger us, by being as careful as possible, driving vehicles with good safety ratings, and avoiding rush hour traffic, inclement weather, and other times when accidents are more likely.

 

[EntropiaAddict]

Over the years, I have had 4 cars totaled from accidents... only 1 of which I was at fault for (tried to make a left on an icy road and car just wouldn't get traction... coasted into the street and got hit). I did not notice any type of change from minor fender benders, but each of these 4 left a lasting impression on my driving habits. While I still drive mostly without concern, I feel these accidents have actually made me more aware of my surroundings while driving. So, I guess in my situation, I think that I have become a much better driver.

 

[HappyKoi]

I was in a car accident a few months ago and I still have trouble driving on the stretch of freeway where it happened. The accident had nothing to do with the area, but I still feel scared to go out there. The bad thing is that some of my friends live out that way, and I've been making excuses as to why I can't see them. I don't want to admit that I'm scared to drive there because they'll either tell me to get over it and/or not understand why it's such a big deal for me.

 

[kgord]

I think this happens frequently. People who are driving along and are in an accident do have flashbacks and problems created by PTSD I think. It is just one of the things that happens sometimes. I think some sort of therapy like systematic desensitization might be the treatment for something like that. It is just one of the things that you might be able to treat your PTSD with. Therapy along these lines should help quite a bit.

 

[janemariesayed]

It sounds like the accidents you experienced when you were a little girl have had a huge impact on your ability to learn to drive. If you really wanted to drive, there may be some driving instructors skilled with nervous drivers. Although, saying that, I do understand that it is very hard to get over. Especially as you were so young when it happened. It would be deeply ground in by now and so therefore difficult to change. If you feel safer using public transport then that is just as good.

I witnessed some absolutely terrible driving while I lived in Egypt. I had to have refresher lessons when I returned to the UK, but they didn't help. I hate getting into a car now, but I hate walking even more!