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Sufferer Not My Fault But All My Guilt!

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David G

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This year I was headed to a fire call, I am a part time fireman and former sheriffs deputy, I was driving 5 mph under the posted 35mph speed limit. A grown man on a bicycle was headed from the other direction, a silver 4door Ford Taurus, driven by and elderly woman, went around the man on the bicycle. The car behind the man continued their approach towards me.
When the car crossed the center line I scooted off the shoulder and slowed my speed to allow the lady more room to overtake the man on the bmx bike. On the right shoulder of the road was a car slowly easing into a large turnaround area. Due to this I was limited in my ability to take the shoulder anymore than I was already.
At this time soon as the silver car cleared the man peddling hard on the bmx bike he turned a 90 degree turn directly into the center of the grill of my Ford F-150 4 door 4x4 truck! The man looked me in the eyes and disappeared into the front end of my truck! I stopped my truck in 21 feet and imedearly called 911. I got out to aid the man who was broken in every part of his body! He was not breathing nor was he bleading from any lacerations. I could not move him not could I aid him! I held his hand and prayed for him! He began agonal breathing and was slowly loaded into the ambulance! I was taken to the hospital for a blood drawl! I don't drink or use drugs! Several officers on screen stated that the man had tried to harm himself over the last 3 days! He did not survive!
I am a non traditional full time college due to the loss of my 11 year job! I've worked tons of fatality motor vehicle accidents, drownings and suicides, I have never lost sleep due to these things! This has been months ago and I have not slept. I was removed from duity until the state police finished their investigation and all blood work came back! During this time I've seen a therapist and now a psychologist who gave me 18!pills a day to take. I tried that for 2 solid months and couldn't function during this time I had a major fall and severally broke my lower leg and ankle and my opposite knee cap and my my non dominant arm and shoulder! I've sence slowly come off the mess they had me wanting to do things I'd never do and caused physical problems. Now I'm having bouts of uncontrollable anger where I'm violent, dieting these times I can't stop myself and don't even remember what has happened! I am not violent to my wife ever, not once!!!
I've joined a gym to try to help with the aggravation and anger it helps but I still have my moments. Also I'm an emotional wreck. My wife ad only ever seen my cry once in my whole life Nd that was at my grandfathers funeral.
I am no longer a happy person I feel guilt every day I wake up just for being alive! I'm a religious man and pray daily but I still can't control the hate and sadness inside of me! I loved going to collage I loved the thought of being something more than a factory worker and part time fireman again! I wanted to use my degree to become a detective in my growing town and now I don't ever want to leave my house! I hate to drive and I've sold all my things that used to make me happy! My ranger fishing boat, custom street bike, and all my smaller toys all gone because nothing makes me truly smile or feel happiness! I had to trade my truck in I couldn't even sit back in the drivers seat once it was fixed! Now I'm Broke, collage is right by the accident spot and I have to drive by 2 times a day, my truck insurance with all full everything imaginable coverage accuses me of trying to get a "pay day" for this accident that has broken my life! All I know I'd for 1 year of collage this guy was truly happy and loving life now I'm so lost I can't figure out which way is up!
 
Sorry short on time I'll be back this evening. Guilt though is optional... fault, is not yours. I'll be back this evening, but welcome to the board/forum. Glad you're here.
 
Welcome, David G. I'm so sorry you went through this, but it was not your fault. I was full of anger when my PTSD set in and the only thing that helped was therapy. Take care!
 
Welcome David G

After reading your story I think the guy on the bike would of got a direct hit on your truck no matter how much room you gave him, My story is similar as I sat with the dying after a serious accident, I made a connection with the people before they died and it never leaves me, Its not that I could of done anything but just being there helped the victims, I hope you find help here,
 
I've been going to therapy but all they want to do is listen for 10 minutes tops and hand out pills. I don't like pills I always try them and am very vigilant about taking them as directed but 15 pills a day! Hell I had to lock up all my guns and give away the keys just because of the feelings the meds gave me for the 2.5 months I took them. My dr said that more pills would correct the issues. Lol it didn't. I've held the hands of many dying people in my 34 years alive more than most 3 times my age! I've never lost sleep over it. If prayed for the family's and I've felt bad for them but never have I felt this way! It's truly hurting my marriage of 11 years! My wife knew me to be a fun and helpful guy. Now I just want to stay home and never leave! Plus my insurance is saying I'm just looking for a pay day! They haven't paid a penny of my lost wages or my medical bills I've had to hire an attorney something id never dreamed of doing! I love people that's why I love fire fighting and working accidents of all kinds! Sometime just being there to hold a hand for someone is enough to to give them hope. I never look for a pat on the back I always just know doing the right thing is enough! However a Whitness changing his story of the events months later and someone from my local police office talking about it has been enough to kick me back as low as I was!
 
Welcome to the forums. Sorry you're here, but glad you found us!

A good friend of mine has the best attitude ever involving insurance companies. Human rights attorney, similar thing, where they just wanted the basics of an accident sorted. Their insurance company not only balked, but pulled the exact same stunt: tried to guilt trip her into not pursuing even the basics by this "payday" nonsense. Her line of work has nothing to do with personal injury, payouts, etc... But they went ahead and insulted her integrity anyway.

Her attitude? "I wasn't, before, but I sure as hell am, now." So she hired a personal injury attorney and had him go for blood. Instead of the 25k payout she was seeking (vehicle replacement), it ended in a 6 figure payout. Completely legitimate, no fraud, again my friend has exceptionally high personal integrity. She simply refuses to be guilt-tripped or coerced. She fights for people's lives. She also made damn certain that her attorneys passed the word that this all could have been avoided if she had been treated with even a shred of dignity by the insurance company to begin with.
 
Two take aways from your opening post David.... firstly... that as Tony shared, you saw and took precautions so as allow for the safety of the bicycler, but he had an agenda. You have no need to feel guilt or self blame because clearly you took all the necessary steps and were responsible. You also attended to the man and prayed over him, and he resumed breathing continued to do so til EMS got there. You held his hand. That is where, in my mind ultimately I would stop the script/thought cascade.

Second thing... though you have professionally responded in many occasions... this quite possibly is the first time that a fatal incident involved you directly and personally. That can be destabilizing for an emergency responder.

I absolutely would consult or try to find another mental health professional... from what you describe and the amount of medications proffered... it seems clear you are not being treated reasonably or responsibly.

Being a man of faith, can you consider counsel from your pastor/minister and or ask for mentorship by someone who may have experience, strength and perhaps guidance from your holy book's standpoint? I have benefited from such guidance and counseling particularly in post trauma marital issues in my own congregation where the mental health professionals came up short.

Body, mind and spirit... seek to do something each day to nurture, self care all three of these as you are able.

Fact: "officers on screen stated that the man had tried to harm himself over the last 3 days". As you deal with the resulting difficulties in life right now continue to hold that in your mind. His action.... you were an arbitrary mechanism of his desire.

Post as you need to but please pause to consider... this man who's actions altered your life did so without regard for you or your family. You David, dig deep, ground yourself in your faith, and you pray to God and take up your resolve... not to let him take your marriage, your career, your joy, your peace. It can happen with appropriate and responsible treatment. Honest.
 
Thank you Albatross! I'm finding life was ok for a while when I had a broken leg and arm just after the accident! My fall was due to a side effect of the meds! I fell 14 feet and badly broke a leg ankle shoulder and knee cap! Web I hurt physically I stopped hurting mentally!
I'm praying daily and will not let this ruin me. I just have days of self loathing I guess. I'm working for a better life style. I'm working out, eating cleaner and trying to be outside more. Prayers for my wife, his family and lastly myself would be much appreciated! Again thank you!
 
Well... so far as fears of runination and faith (depending on the faith as you did not volunteer it)... If you are Christian there will be tests and trials... even a bargain struck which involved Job. This David, is adversity and with appropriate treatment, guidance and disciplined practice and persistence you can beat this. This is an adversity that hands down was not yours, you behaved as responsibly as you could yet it still occurred. God is a curious deity... we can't know his reasons, but we can be assured he can drive a crooked nail straight, he loves us and gives us a way to transcend suffering should we choose to apply the teaching/examples provided in the Bible (this is all moot if your are not Christian, which is an assumption... but even if you aren't and are of another faith... gird yourself and your foundation is your holy book)... Prayers are winging their way from my voice to God's ear. We may not ever understand the purpose for our traumas, our pain, our adversity... but brother he is with us and wants us to live a victorious life. It is a testimony of His great and graciousness. Eh?

If I am mistaken, take what you need and leave the rest... prayers though are still coming for you and your family.
 
@David G Welcome to the forum!

I don't know who your psychiatrist is, but I would definitely seek another opinion. Medication is suppose to help a person function and not create dysfunction. Take some time to read the therapy threads on this site. A good trauma therapist can really help you gain control over the symptoms and allow you to live your life again.

PTSD is extremely hard on relationships and the more your wife knows about this disorder the better it will be for the both of you. Education and understanding go along way in helping people figure out how to communicate and navigate the ups and downs more effectively.

Recovery is tough work, but it is possible. Coming out the other side may not be representative of your life before the accident, but different does not equate to worse. Hold on to the hope and your faith as recovery is possible and life can be good again.
 
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