Car Accident-Help?

LegacyUser

Hi,
I was involved in a car accident. I was out with my friend in his car when it skidded and flipped up on its side. Nobody was hurt thankfully, but the car was a write-off.

This happened a week before christmas and still even now, im terrified in a car with anyone not just my friend. It was the first time I'd ever been involved in a crash and its shattered me. I even have had nightmares about being on public buses that have crashed.
I try to avoid car journeys that arent necessary now.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? If so how did you overcome this?
Any help is gratefully recieved.
Thanks

bethm24

You poor thing. It sounds like post traumatic stress . So would you go into your Gp and just say it to him/her they will have a bit of advice for ya. Dont be a bit worried about going in and saying it, they hear stuff like that ALL the time so be chilled and go in there. Youll be ok, but the gp will tell u exactly how to feel better, they mite refer u for a little chat with a counsellor who knows all about this kinda stuff, you should do it. cause it just mite get worse or go on and on if ya dont fix the prob now, let us know how ya did

Ps: You are lucky the accident was not serious or u would have NO choice about seeing doctors cause theyd be all around you, so feel blessed you are alive and well. Good luck!

Ah op it will pass.
I was involved in an accident a few years ago in which the car was a total write off.
It's just an event-thats all it is.
Think about it that way.

I'll admit though as I was un injured I was back driving about 2 weeks later.
I could have drove 2 days later but getting back into a car after that in a hurry I didnt want to do.
It felt surreal the first time especially as I had to drive by the crash site but then I noticed that the car I was driving responded exactly the way it should,it drove.
I knew exactly what caused the accident so I became super alert to anything that could repeat it and have been ever since.

Think logical about this op.As I said think of it as an event and learn from it.
What caused your accident for instance,you are fully aware of so you can avoid a repeat.
Simply getting into a car again is not a repeat of your accident.It couldnt be unless you deliberately or the driver deliberately reinacts that day.
Now seriously thats not going to happen is it?

So I'd advise taking all the baby steps you need and just get into that car or bus or train or whatever and see what happens.
A repeat of your accident is highly unlikely

Bog Butter

I take it you can't drive yourself. If you had intended on learning sometime don't let this incident stop you. In fact I would say take some driving lessons as soon as you can. This will give you an understanding of what it is like. Once you understand how accidents happen you will be a more confident passenger and/or driver.

LegacyUser

Hi, OP here.

Thanks for the replies. Yeah I think Ill do a little bit of 'best of both' Ill wait for a while and if it doesnt pass, Ill go see a doctor. It has been a little difficult to get around places, seeing as Im 17, so pretty much dependant on parents etc. for lifts.

Ill try not to avoid it anymore, and try get more comfortable in the setting, if this doesnt work after a few weeks, Ill make an appointment.
Thanks a million to ye.

LegacyUser

Sorry, I just had to jump in after that comment that it would 'pass'.

I was involved in a similar situation, 'minor' car crash (car crashes are serious things)

Let what I felt about it slide, now a few years down the line I have PTSD and have to take anti-psychotic medication everyday or else I'm a nervous wreck (as the inital anxiety around driving has spread to most parts of my life)

Go to your GP tomorrow and ask to speak to a councellor so you can sort things out in your head.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine but dont let it pass!

onimpulse

I had a pretty bad crash a few years ago. Car written off as well - luckily we all walked away from it though. I was driving - one of my passengers was unconsious when the car finally stopped - I though he was dead for a minute of two - I'll never forget the fright I got!

I didn't get into a car for a week after & like you was really trying to avoid it. I was living at home at the time & my Mum decided to get a bit tough after about two weeks of this & really put pressure on me to drive again - on my own. I was terrified, I thought every other car on the road was aiming for me ... but I got over it.

I keep thinking of the phrase - if you fall off the horse get back in the saddle. It might sound harsh but... you can't not get into cars for the rest of your life!

It's going to take a bit of courage but you'll get there if you keep at it.

Max Power1

Perfectly normal to be a bit distressed at getting into a car again, it's only been a month after all. If it doesnt subside in the next while, might be worth speaking to someone.. could turn out to be PTSD ..

LegacyUser

That was me yrs ago!! the BF .... 2 crash bang bangs.... needless to say I was scared sh*****s in a car with ppl after that unless I'd known them and knew they could handle the car.........


nearly 5 yrs on and I'm still afraid with ppl I don't really know, but I'm learning to drive myself and I'm starting to come around!!