A couple of months ago I lost control of my new motorcycle and drove it head-first into fast moving (55 MPH) oncoming traffic. I was lucky to escape with my life and miraculous to be completely unharmed. I haven't driven it since.
About a week ago I was driving a car, alone, and got disoriented while on a very open and empty stretch of five lane highway that did not have lane lines. This experience made me feel many of the same things I did on the motorcycle, and now every time I drive the car since then, I feel a strong adrenaline flow and tingling in my head and I feel as though I will lose control of the car at any moment. It takes a tremendous amount of focus and constant re-assuring of myself to continue driving. It literally feels like I am going to arbitrarily drive the car into traffic or a guard rail. I've always had a lot of confidence around driving cars in the past.
While I'm sure the serious answer is somewhere in the neighborhood of "find a therapist", I would be interested in some sort of preliminary diagnosis that can help me understand what it is I'm dealing with. Please note that the motorcycle incident may be completely unrelated to what is happening to me now in the car but it seemed logical to me as a layman that there is a connection. While I have not previously been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder I have personally experienced what I consider high but not abnormal amounts of anxiety in various situations. I thought this might be PTSD but that seems to typically be associated with more serious things than what happened to me, such as sexual abuse.
Thanks in advance for helping me figure out what this is, and any insights into treatment or getting past this.
2006-08-15 11:07:10 · 9 answers · asked by dk 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
This does indeed sound like it may be Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. The primary features of this disorder are flashbacks, re-experiencing the event, hypervigilance, and an aversion to circumstances and situations which remind the individual of the traumatic event. If this has lasted for less than 1 month, the diagnosis would be Acute Stress Disorder, which has many of the same features. ASD, however, has symptoms where you feel that you are outside of your body, watching yourself act or that the world just doesn't seem real.
Treatment options for PTSD are numerous, but cognitive behavioral therapy is likely the most effective. With this form of therapy, you will learn to think differently about your traumatic experience and the behavioral component will teach you to cope better with the situations in which you feel anxious or not right.
2006-08-15 11:15:57 · answer #1 · answered by Police 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
PTSD is not only found in serious cases but also in some minor ones. Although I do not think that is what this is. I think you may have neurological issues that need to be handled. If the motorcycle incident is related then you have to find out what caused the accident. I understand that you don't think that it is. What you have to realize is that the brain is a tricky organ. It has a way of hiding problems until, sometimes it is too late to do anything about them.
If you look at the incidents separately, then the anxiety you are currently feeling may stem from a subconscious realization that if you lost control once then it can happen again. What I recommend is that you see a neurologist first. Find out if it could be something serious or not. The first accident may have been a mistake but the anxiety may be something that was missed when you were checked out after. If it is not neurological, then yes seek therapy. Sometimes that best answers are the easy ones.
2006-08-15 11:24:39 · answer #2 · answered by Angel365 Devil365 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A similar thing has happened to me a few times. The first time I was terrified. My heart raced, I was shaking, I couldn't catch my breath. Somehow I managed to keep the car on the road. After a few minutes (which felt like a few hours) the feelings went away leaving me feeling cold and sweaty. I thought about it later and realized it was an anxiety attack.
The next time it happened I remembered that it was only an anxiety attack and I would survive it. That helped me endure the feelings. I have had several in the last year due to the stress level in my life, and each time I tell myself to calm down and it will pass.
I don't know if it is the same for you, but I can talk to myself and get through it.
2006-08-15 11:18:39 · answer #3 · answered by physandchemteach 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I kinda get the way you sense. If counciling isn't assisting you decide on something else that is going to. Are you on something on your melancholy? Being admitted onto a physicatric ward would help, may well be maximum suitable suited. It provides time by myself in a secure place and you does no longer be waiting to do issues to harm your self. they have professionals which might help thru it and get out of it. ending it isn't the respond. i be conscious of what it does to human beings. Your no longer contained in the slightest bit selfish for desirous to end it, your basically ill, it is your psychiatric problems that make you sense that way, no longer the rest. It does sound such as you have had it problematic. even nevertheless it additionally sounds as in case you have a supportive and worrying boyfriend and kin, do it for them. you may beat it, it basically takes time, you have the finished life past to you and it will get greater proper! You sound like a super lady, please do no longer do it. If everyone has something nasty in reaction on your question ignor them. you may beat all of it!
2016-09-29 07:38:32 · answer #4 · answered by bradberry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have post traumatic stress disorder... counseling does help, but ask when you call a practice if that is something the therapist works with, not all of them handle it. It'll be fine, relax, you have lots of company!
2006-08-15 11:13:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're just having a stressful event that you keep recalling. You, I'm sorry to say, need some counseling to help you get over that moment.
2006-08-15 11:12:34 · answer #6 · answered by Tommy Boy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Panic attack, or PTSD, like the others have said. PTSD would probably require therapy, and panic attacks can be controlled with meds and/or therapy, also.
2006-08-15 11:14:54 · answer #7 · answered by SassySours 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me that it may be PTSD. But I would start with your family physician first, to rule out any injurys first. Good luck.
2006-08-15 11:13:34 · answer #8 · answered by MJ R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a panic attack to me.
Regardless, I hope you feel better soon.
2006-08-15 11:12:21 · answer #9 · answered by mikah_smiles 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋