MVA Just got into a car accident yesterday - had ptsd before the incident

[OneToughCookie]

Yesterday I was driving and had a green light. A car went when it wasn't supposed to, and I T-boned him. Physically, I'm pretty OK, but I'm worried because I already have PTSD from child abuse and two sexual assaults. I'm already experiencing difficulty sleeping, feelings of terror, a feeling it was my fault even though it wasn't, and fear of leaving the house. I've been meditating and seeking social support, and am seeing my therapist today. If you could go back in time to right after your car accident and the years afterward, what would you have done differently that could have potentially mitigated your symptoms from the get-go?

 

[Fadeaway]

My husband and I have talked about this a lot since he has been in a near fatal, permanently disfiguring accident. Jaws of life and all that good stuff. Yet he never got PTSD. We have pretty much boiled it down to the fact that he felt like he received a lot of support during that time. He was surrounded by people. I think you are doing the right thing in seeking support. I would suggest not staying at home. Get out, do things, be around people.

Of course you also have us.

 

[OneToughCookie]

Hi, @Fadeaway . Thanks so much for responding! That's really good to know. I'm still really sore, so I'm taking it easy and resting, but as soon as I start feeling physically well enough (probably two-three more days), I'll pack my schedule with socialization. For today, I'll stick to video chat and phone calls. :) Thanks again!!!

 

[Fadeaway]

Yes, don't push yourself physically.

 

[Kintsugi]

Do you work with a T?

I would also say that starting exposure to driving again whenever you're physically ready could be important. Early exposure may help reduce the likelihood of developing new triggers. I've never been in a car accident (my trauma is much like yours), but I would think getting back in the saddle as it were would help in the long run.

Otherwise you sound like you're doing really well--practicing self-care and grounding/coping activities. Meditate, journal, have a night in with a friend or two, treat yourself to something nice, talk it out with those who love you even if your head tells you you're blowing it out of proportion or whatever. Don't let anything build up inside.

 

[OneToughCookie]

I thought the same thing. I took an Uber twice yesterday. When we went past the scene of the accident, I re-experienced some terror and physical pain, and dissociated a bit. Otherwise, I just had minor hypervigilance. Thanks for responding even though you haven't been in an accident. It helps me feel cared about. I did really well yesterday. I talked to two of my friends on the phone for a long time, meditated, used Happify, went for a walk, went to therapy, and all that jazz. I felt great. Today, though, I woke up severely depressed and shame-ridden. I asked my boyfriend to stay an extra 15 minutes before he left for work, and he helped me solve my problem of having too much to do by telling me to wait to do the phone calls until tonight and assured me something that happened the day before in our relationship wasn't my fault. I felt so much better; my mood went from a 2/10 to a 6. Then, my f***ing mom texts me. I've been having an outbreak of the rage toward her I repressed the past two weeks. My mood immediately tanked again. I don't feel deserving of self-care today; I'm just so full of self-loathing and am experiencing suicidal ideation. I don't know why my mood is tanking so easily. I feel like a failure, have no motivation, lost interest in what I was going to do today, and feel helpless. I've reached out to friends, but I don't feel like anyone is here for me right now. Everything I could do feels like bull and I feel very alone, but I'll go through the motions of gratitude lists, warm showers, cleaning the house, messaging my boyfriend, and in general being the person I want to be today and hope that will turn this around. Off I go. Wish me courage, persistence, and patience!

 

[Kintsugi]

I wish you all of those things, though you seem to possess them already.

I felt so much better; my mood went from a 2/10 to a 6. Then, my f***ing mom texts me.

God, how I relate!

You sound like you're already doing this, but regarding the self-loathing etc., notice the feelings, acknowledge them, feel them, and then tell yourself you just went through a really hard thing, you're symptomatic, and try to let go/ascend from those feelings after giving them this due.

I think you'll find a lot of support here Cookie. :)

 

[OneToughCookie]

You're really sweet, @Simply Simon . Pointing out that I just went through a really hard thing helps; I am still minimizing it at this point, so it helps me feel like less of a failure and reduce my expectations of myself. :) Thanks for the support!

 

[Wave66]

This is another way to look at your incident. Maybe your coping mechanisms from the past incidents can aid you with this new turn of events. Just spit ballin'. I'm wise enough to say, "I don't know." Take care.