I was in a car accident July 2006. I didn't get hurt and the wreck wasn't even that bad. Someone else was driving and I was a passenger. Ever since then I absolutely cannot ride in the car with anyone else without freaking out. This issue has progressively gotten worse over the past year 1/2. I always have to be watching the road and completely aware of every car around the car I am riding in, I clench my fists or hold on to whatever I can. My whole body tenses up and I am always afraid of getting in an accident, someone hitting the car, rear-ending the car, pulling out in front of the car, or afraid that whoever is driving the car I am in will not stop in time and hit the car in front of us.
If I am the one driving, I am perfectly fine. It almost feels like I am at a total loss of control when I am not the one driving and I am absolutely terrified to the point of just wanting to get out of the car. This is really aggrevating to whomever is driving and I want to get help for this.
2007-12-03 03:01:44 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Does anyone have ANY advise as to what I should do to try and help myself with this problem? I feel like it is some sort of anxiety disorder, or a control issue. I can't see counseling helping at all, and I don't think medication would solve it either. I am just tired of annoying everyone I ride in the car with and want to STOP being so scared!
2007-12-03 03:03:18 · update #1
I share your discomfort... totally. My wife tailgates.
Get this book:
http://www.amazon.com/When-Panic-Attacks-Drug-Free-Anxiety/dp/0767920716
Dr. Burns' methods are proven to relieve anxiety tremendously. It's all about confronting your fears with facts and changing the way your subconscious furnishes information to you. It sounds a bit complicated, but it works.
2007-12-03 03:06:53 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Peachy® 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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2016-09-15 21:37:01 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the loss on control that is bothering you - I am the SAME way! I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety...I would have serious anxiety attacks when I rode with someone else, especially when there were a lot of cars or heavy traffic around. I hated the feeling...and wondered what was wrong with me.
I would seriously consider talking to a counselor about this - apparently you are still traumatized from the event (and possibly something else you don't understand), you don't trust anyone else to drive you around (and I am sure that the 1st time mommy thing isn't helping - I got really bad after I had my 2nd child).
Just look into counseling, they can help you work out your feelings and see the triggers before they make you freak out...good luck honey!!
2007-12-03 03:05:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here it is 9 years later. I suffer from chronic pain called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and chronic depression as well. I hate being in a car for more than a few hours. I get extremely stressed out going through big cities. My wife does not understand this and seems to not be empathetic with this. The older I get the worse it gets. I feel trapped in a condition that I feel that no one understands. I do not mind flying, but am scared to death of long trips. I wish I could knock myself out and not come to until the trip is over.
2016-08-10 14:49:18 · answer #4 · answered by Douglas 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same thing happened to me. However, I was driving! Last year, it was pouring and I was on the highway going pretty slow when some guy cut in front of me and hit his brakes! I hit mine but with all the water, i still hit him. After that, it took me months to even want to drive. And now when my husband drives I'm always like, slow down, watch out.... blah blah blah. Sometimes when I'm getting too bad, I just close my eyes and try to nap. I really don't know how you get over it. Try counting in your head or maybe think about happy things and just close your eyes.
2007-12-03 03:10:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do exactly the same thing. I was in a really bad accident in aug 2006 and wasnt the driver in it. It wasnt even out fault, a car came from across the freeway and hit us.
The best thing I can suggest is try to breath, distract yourself. Hold your hands together in your lap, stare at the dashboard in front of you. Talk to the driver, pay attention to the radio... distract yourself however you can. Tell yourself its not the driver you are afraid of, but all the other cars on the road. It has taken me this long and I am still working on it but it can get better. You just have to force yourself to trust again.
2007-12-03 03:06:41 · answer #6 · answered by julez 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's natural for you to feel like that after all what happened last July 2006....but how come up to know you are still on it? i think you refuse to overcome that fear... have you tried to see a doctor about it?..think positive.never imagine what happened way back 2006, try to think of the happy memories you had while in the car.......... you'll be fine..(",
2007-12-03 12:57:19 · answer #7 · answered by ma.liza "blue" 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am sort of the same way but its not everyone that i ride with just a few and i don't freak out i get car sick the way i deal with it is i ask the person if they want to take my car to save them gas and they normally go for it maybe give that a try and see
2007-12-03 03:12:47 · answer #8 · answered by sam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea I got in a bad wreak and I didnt get hirt either but my nervers really bother me when I get in the car with someone else because the littlest thing will scare you but I think my driving is fine
2007-12-03 03:05:41 · answer #9 · answered by ELJ 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell yourself that there's nothing to be afraid off.
You got out of that accident in July without a scratch.
2007-12-03 03:05:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋