How to stop reliving a car accident? Serious question

[aphex]

So last December I was in a really bad car accident, totalled my dads Mini Cooper S. Everyone was ok thankfully, but ever since that night I replay the accident in my head multiple times a day, especially when I try to go to sleep.

Specifically, I see myself driving, and as I look right for a split second I see headlights coming about 45mph directly broadside into my car, them BAM

Any suggestions from those of you who have been in a bad accident?

 

[rise]

think happy thoughts?

 

[tasmanian]

Originally posted by: aphex
So last December I was in a really bad car accident, totalled my dads Mini Cooper S. Everyone was ok thankfully, but ever since that night I replay the accident in my head multiple times a day, especially when I try to go to sleep.

Specifically, I see myself driving, and as I look right for a split second I see headlights coming about 45mph directly broadside into my car, them BAM

Any suggestions from those of you who have been in a bad accident?

Sue for emotional distress and get a psychiatrist.

 

[Farang]

Wow.. feel fortunate you weren't in my truck. Thing has tin-can-strength doors and if it had happened to me I'd be toast.

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: aphex
So last December I was in a really bad car accident, totalled my dads Mini Cooper S. Everyone was ok thankfully, but ever since that night I replay the accident in my head multiple times a day, especially when I try to go to sleep.

Specifically, I see myself driving, and as I look right for a split second I see headlights coming about 45mph directly broadside into my car, them BAM

Any suggestions from those of you who have been in a bad accident?

I suggest you try meditation (seriously) .... its not somthing I can teach you to do in a post on ATOT, but its really helped me cope with some seriously stressful problems I've had in my life.

There are many good books on the subject or you could also visit a therapist and have them teach some relaxation techniques.


Edit: Try this link as a useful place to start.

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Captante

Originally posted by: aphex
So last December I was in a really bad car accident, totalled my dads Mini Cooper S. Everyone was ok thankfully, but ever since that night I replay the accident in my head multiple times a day, especially when I try to go to sleep.

Specifically, I see myself driving, and as I look right for a split second I see headlights coming about 45mph directly broadside into my car, them BAM

Any suggestions from those of you who have been in a bad accident?

I suggest you try meditation (seriously) .... its not somthing I can teach you to do in a post on ATOT, but its really helped me cope with some seriously stressful problems I've had in my life.

There are many good books on the subject or you could also visit a therapist and have them teach some relaxation techniques.

I'm not big into meditation as I see it on tv and hear about it etc, but I find that just sitting in a quiet place all alone and thinking about whatever is bothering me for a few hours, relaxing etc really helps. I guess that's sort of meditating.

For more drastic measures, wouldn't electro shock therapy work? Every time you think of it, give yourself a little shock.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I was in a wreck that totalled my F150. I just kept driving to get over that part of the wreck--I still have issues with the sensitivity of my lip where my teeth went through...

 

[montanafan]

When you thnk about it, finish it off with something like seeing yourself get out of the car after the accident and walking around looking at the cars and talking to someone there about it.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: tasmanian
Sue for emotional distress and get a saciatrist.

WTF is a "saciatrist"?

Let me guess... Two words to describe the English portion of your education: Epic Failure.

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: silverpig

Originally posted by: Captante

Originally posted by: aphex
So last December I was in a really bad car accident, totalled my dads Mini Cooper S. Everyone was ok thankfully, but ever since that night I replay the accident in my head multiple times a day, especially when I try to go to sleep.

Specifically, I see myself driving, and as I look right for a split second I see headlights coming about 45mph directly broadside into my car, them BAM

Any suggestions from those of you who have been in a bad accident?

I suggest you try meditation (seriously) .... its not somthing I can teach you to do in a post on ATOT, but its really helped me cope with some seriously stressful problems I've had in my life.

There are many good books on the subject or you could also visit a therapist and have them teach some relaxation techniques.

I'm not big into meditation as I see it on tv and hear about it etc, but I find that just sitting in a quiet place all alone and thinking about whatever is bothering me for a few hours, relaxing etc really helps. I guess that's sort of meditating.

For more drastic measures, wouldn't electro shock therapy work? Every time you think of it, give yourself a little shock.

Actually the trick is to avoid thinking about the things that are stressing you out & instead concentrate on somthing very simple like breathing ... you can also try thinking about a time in your life where you were very happy & relaxed while breathing. Many people dismiss it as being too simple to work and it does require some practice to have it be fully effective, but it really can be helpful.

Edit: Of course if all else fails you could try sticking your tongue in a light-socket or perhaps shooting up some heroin!

 

[tasmanian]

Originally posted by: Kadarin

Originally posted by: tasmanian
Sue for emotional distress and get a saciatrist.

WTF is a "saciatrist"?

Let me guess... Two words to describe the English portion of your education: Epic Failure.

Don't be a fucking asshole. I meant psychiatrist it was a typo.

 

[ponyo]

I don't think you'll ever forget. I still remember my motorcycle wreck and the wreck w/ my brother-in-law in the S2000 vividly. I'm just thankful I escaped both without a major scratch. I could've easily died in both.

 

[xeemzor]

I hear alcohol helps. Granted, it replaces one problem with another, but it's still a good temporary solution.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: tasmanian

Originally posted by: Kadarin

Originally posted by: tasmanian
Sue for emotional distress and get a saciatrist.

WTF is a "saciatrist"?

Let me guess... Two words to describe the English portion of your education: Epic Failure.

Don't be a fucking asshole. I meant psychiatrist it was a typo.

an epic typo.

 

[Mo0o]

sounds like ptsd. it might be worth it to talk to a psychologist ( cheaper than a psychiatrist ) about this.

 

[dethman]

Originally posted by: tasmanian

Originally posted by: Kadarin

Originally posted by: tasmanian
Sue for emotional distress and get a saciatrist.

WTF is a "saciatrist"?

Let me guess... Two words to describe the English portion of your education: Epic Failure.

Don't be a fucking asshole. I meant psychiatrist it was a typo.

typing "pyschiatrist" is a typo.

typing "saciatrist" means you are a retard.

 

[Xstatic1]

Originally posted by: xeemzor
I hear alcohol helps. Granted, it replaces one problem with another.

Fixed.

 

[sonambulo]

Iono about that man. For whatever fucked up reason every car accident I've ever been is included amongst my favorite memories.

I'd just booze it away I guess since that's what I do to all my shitty memories.

 

[KK]

i dunno, try getting into another one, then you won't think so much of the old one?

 

[Colt45]

The whole "someone just about killed me" thing wears off in about 15 minutes now. Have a cigar and a glass of brandy. You aren't dead.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: aphex
So last December I was in a really bad car accident, totalled my dads Mini Cooper S. Everyone was ok thankfully, but ever since that night I replay the accident in my head multiple times a day, especially when I try to go to sleep.

Specifically, I see myself driving, and as I look right for a split second I see headlights coming about 45mph directly broadside into my car, them BAM

Any suggestions from those of you who have been in a bad accident?

i had my car totaled. whole passenger side crushed. hydroplaned into a 18 wheeler truck. i think some of his wheels ran over my car like a monster truck.

luckily i was driving alone. i walked away w/o a scratch. if i did a 180, then smacked into the truck, i could have been in serious trouble. yet to this day, i think nothing of it. as if i got pricked by a rose while working in my garden. i accept it as hazards/risks of driving.

i guess this comes from years earlier when my car spun 180 in rain. luckily there were no cars for a few car lengths around me. that scared me more than the car being totaled since it's the 1st time i lost control. i still have more anxiety thinking about that one than the one w/my car totaled.

as to your question OP:
-accept it
- there's nothing you can do to change it. what ifs will just mess w/you more
- meds if the anxiety is really getting in your head
- move on to the future. stop w/the past
-think on the bright side. u walked away w/o a scratch. it could be worse. there could be physical reminders of your accident, like missing a arm or a permanent limp

edit:
werent u in the military?
what did they teach u about dealing w/killing a person for the 1st time?

or was that tallbill?

anyway, same principle?

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: dethman

Originally posted by: tasmanian

Originally posted by: Kadarin

Originally posted by: tasmanian
Sue for emotional distress and get a saciatrist.

WTF is a "saciatrist"?

Let me guess... Two words to describe the English portion of your education: Epic Failure.

Don't be a fucking asshole. I meant psychiatrist it was a typo.

typing "pyschiatrist" is a typo.

typing "saciatrist" means you are a retard.

lol...

typo is "teh" instead of "the"... not knowing how to use a dictionary is what happened here.

 

[smack Down]

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: dethman

Originally posted by: tasmanian

Originally posted by: Kadarin

Originally posted by: tasmanian
Sue for emotional distress and get a saciatrist.

WTF is a "saciatrist"?

Let me guess... Two words to describe the English portion of your education: Epic Failure.

Don't be a fucking asshole. I meant psychiatrist it was a typo.

typing "pyschiatrist" is a typo.

typing "saciatrist" means you are a retard.

lol...

typo is "teh" instead of "the"... not knowing how to use a dictionary is what happened here.

Hey it is hard to find the correct spelling of psychiatrist when looking in the S section.

 

[chusteczka]

It helps to drive through the accident site again during a time with low traffic. Take the same path that was taken the first time. It can help to have a support person in the passenger seat to watch for traffic and such.

I stopped the car, broke down and cried in the middle of the intersection where my accident occurred. However, I have experienced no anxiety since then.

 

[Kelemvor]

Might want to talk to a psych just to work through the issues.