i was in a car accident 3 years ago where i rolled my car in a ditch and flipped it at least 5 times( i know this from the spots where grass is missing from being ripped out where my front bumper fell off and pulled up all the grass every time it hit) and i got thrown out of the car at some point in time and broke my neck and my back. all this happened because i sneezed and swerved.... i was and still am terrified of driving. i have noticed that taking a small dose of zanax in the morning and seeing a therapist really helps... i have discovered that just talking about it all the time kind of numbs me to it and helps making getting in the car a little easier. i ALWAYS try to drive when its not rush hour so there are less people on the road and my nerves are as rattled! i also normally let other people drive when they are riding in my car and i just get immersed in my phone and try to pretend i am not really in the car... and all my friends no they need to stay as far away from other cars as possible!!!!!!!! i hope some of my little tricks can help you
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Originally Posted by blink14
I don't think that I would be as afraid to drive if I was in a field or empty parking lot or something. On that note, I think that part of it is that my brain isn't good at multitasking anymore. So the chaos on a busy road is a lot to handle, on top of my fear behind it.
I don't have panic attacks before getting in a vehicle, but I have them during the drive whether I'm driving or in the passenger seat. The last time I did drive I was constantly having to pull over because of them, and take time out of the car to calm down. I feel tense until I've left the vehicle. I also know that I'm not as mentally collected as I should be to be have it be safe for everyone else.
I don't have any memories of the actual accident. The "horror movie" reference is that I feel on edge the entire time and get very jumpy. For the first year after the accident I was seeing a therapist that tried different relaxation techniques, and insisted that if I just kept driving and did so more often that the fear related would go away...though that obviously hasn't worked out.
With "Riding" I meant, being a passenger in a any vehicle. Even if I'm not behind the wheel I still react the same way.
The accident was on a highway going around 70 mph. I was driving my truck at the time, when another vehicle flew directly in front of mine from an in-proper lane change. I slammed on the brakes and swerved to try and avoid collision. I know the facts of it from the police and witness report. My truck ended up going head-on with a guard rail. The front half crushed in towards me and went up and over the top a bit. I was unconscious for roughly 15 minutes before they could get me out with the jaws of life.
Like I said before, currently I'm restricted from driving at all. Between my anxiety and blackout seizures that I have, my neurologist sees it as a very bad idea right now. I'm just trying to look ahead and figure out a list of things to try when I get to the point that I can (and make it easier for my husband when I'm simply riding along with him  ).
Thank you for the mention of the hypnosis, EFT therapy (hadn't heard of that one before), and the book. I'll look into them all and add them to my list. |