Over 3 years ago I was in a terrible car accident. Ever since I am completely terrified of being in a vehicle. I used to love driving and having long road trips, and now whether I'm riding or driving I feel like I'm in a horror movie.

About 6 months after the accident I was healed up enough to give driving a go. At first I could only go a few blocks, then a few miles, and I thought that it would progress from there. Doctors told me that if I kept driving more that I would get back into the swing of things and the fear would go away. The problem is that it hasn't.

I don't drive anymore, even for little trips. Currently I'm restricted, but since I'm only 25, I'm trying to figure out ways that I can possibly get over this. As a passenger I am constantly wincing, clenching my fists, throwing up my arms, clinging to my seat belt, screaming, and freaking out at even the littlest of things on the road. I feel like it's a reaction that I can't control. I know that it's annoying to whoever is driving, but I can't help it. My heart beat speeds up, my brain gets frantic, and I would love for it to go away.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I welcome any help. I thought this would all get better in time. I don't even remember the accident as I suffered memory loss, but I am terrified of being in a vehicle.

Have you looked into hypnosis or EFT therapy?

I think I would try those options , there are even books on self hypnosis.
EFT has a free mini "how to" also.
http://www.eft-therapy.com/eft-therapy-home.htm

Hi blink,
Welcome to NeuroTalk Support Groups.

Even though you don't remember the accident consciously, you obviously must be affected subconsciously. That's tricky.

I have a problem driving myself, but it's all very conscious for me and my problem is from anxiety and panic disorder. I used to love to drive. One day out of the blue I had a panic attack at the red lights on a very busy intersection. I had my two young children in the car at the time. That turned out to be a trigger for many years after that. I always was safe and I just drove where I had to but it was so filled with terror while I was pretending all was fine. These days I'm just thankful that I'm now living in a small community where I can get from a to b without dealing with too much fear.

If you went out into a farm or field or an empty carpark, would you be afraid to drive then?

I have this old book. It's called "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway". I don't always conquer it, but often I do!

Just curious if you have actual panic attacks that now stop you from attempting to drive at all.

When you said you feel as if you're in a horror movie, do you mean that you have memory of your accident going through your mind like a movie, or that it just feels like a scary/horror movie?

I reckon if one has been in an horrific accident that's affected your health terribly, then it's pretty usual to be afraid. 3 years is a long time though and maybe you need to look for different professional help? Just telling you to get out there and keep driving and the fear would go away reminds me of my ex-husband who used to say the same thing.

EDITED to add...

I logged out but then I remembered the title of your thread. You said Driving/Riding Trouble. Driving I understand, but Riding? You mean on a bicycle or a motorbike or a horse or do you mean any vehicle on the roads?

I'm really sorry to bring this up in case it is traumatic for you to talk about but was the accident in which you were involved a single vehicle accident or were other people and vehicles were involved?

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.

No wonder you're scared of driving.

I'm so sorry asking about what you meant by 'riding'. I'm Australian and that term as riding/being a passenger isn't familiar to me.

If you sustained a concussion or brain injury in your crash then there may be people who have similar experiences in the Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome Forum (link posted below). You will find good support and advice there from people who have gone through experiences such as yours. It's quite a busy forum and the members who post there are very helpful and understanding. Anxiety issues are not uncommon.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

I wish you well.

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

Have you tried a defensive driving school? I have been in 6 accidents that were not my fault, only one time when my vehicle was written off. Once I was just a passenger. I have taken ordinary drivers education and skid school with emphasis on accident avoidance. This may help.
Redcat