Undiagnosed Intro

[LindaT]

Hi, I'm Linda T, a woman who crashed her car 3 weeks ago rearending someone (and then someone else) on the way home from work after a terrible day and week. I cannot believe how it's affecting me.

I am terrified to drive, am overly anxious about other cars around me, and exhausted from this. I have always loved driving, even on the busy freeways. I have been avoiding driving, taking the commuter train instead. Yesterday after driving to and from work I could not sleep and had palpitations; I realized today it was from driving.

Will I get past this? I am freaked out...

<Edited by cherryblossom - please use default font in posts, and break your writing into short paragraphs, thanks>

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Hello Linda and Welcome. :)

You didn't mention if you got diagnosed by a doctor, I strongly suggest seeing one.

I am not a doctor and I have limited knowledge. But what I do know is that PTSD usually shows up months ( sometimes years) after the traumatic event ( there also seems to be a pattern of more then one event, buts that's just my observation) and that there is another stress disorder called Acute Stress Reaction or Acute Stress Disorder. It is a variation of PTSD. Meaning...

From Wikipedia...

"By definition, acute stress disorder is the result of a traumatic event in which the person experiences or witnesses an event that causes the victim/witness to experience extreme, disturbing or unexpected fear, stress or pain, and that involves or threatens serious injury, perceived serious injury or death to themselves or someone else. Acute stress reaction is a variation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)..."

It is different becasue...

"...Symptoms last for a minimum of 2 days, and a maximum of 4 weeks, and occur within 4 weeks of the event...."

While PTSD can last for years and sometimes your whole life.

And...

"If symptoms last for more than a month, then the patient might be instead diagnosed with PTSD...."

70% of Americans have a traumatic event happen in there life time, but only 20% will develop PTSD. What I am saying is...

"Cognitive behavioral therapy which included exposure and cognitive restructuring was found to be effective in preventing PTSD in patients diagnosed with ASD with clinically significant results at 6 months follow-up..."


Just being straight forward and clear, I am not trying in the least bit to be rude or minimize your experience. My bottom line is you have a chance to prevent PTSD from happening if you get treatment. PTSD is a server stress disorder and believe me you don't want it following you the rest of your life.


I hope this helps. :) Take care of yourself and your health.

 

[Eleanor]

Hi Linda, and welcome!

I am sorry you are having such a hard time.:( I think Ayesha is correct - you need to get in to see a trauma counsellor ASAP - don't let this thing turn into PTSD. Right at the start is by far the easiest time to deal with this. You absolutely CAN get past this. There is much more understanding now about how to process trauma so it doesn't take over your life than there was even ten years ago, it is amazing.

Best wishes for peace and healing.