Triggering Car Ride- It's Anniversary Time

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I got home from visiting my inlaws about two hours ago. The car ride back was the worst ride I've had in a while anxiety wise. I am still experiencing lots of anxiety now. I am shaky and scared. On Monday, it will mark two years since the accident that changed my life.

Tonight we had to drive through the intersection. My husband knows that it is still very triggering so he slowed way down and put his high beams on. There were, thankfully, no other cars around. That didn't stop me from envisioning our deaths. Even when we made it through I couldn't feel any relief. I had a panic attack. Then, I dissociated a little and scratched up my arm.

I just tried to journal about it to release some of this anxiety, but instead I started shaking again. I have friends coming this weekend, but I know it's going to take a lot to keep be distracted and calm. I keep hoping that I'll be able to just go on with life like it's just a regular weekend, but I feel like I am not succeeding at that. I do think I will stay away from any more nighttime driving if I can. Trying to calm and to breathe and believe myself when I say it is not happening now.

 

[Laurie McLaughlin]

Hi JEK -

I rejoice that you made it through even though you are having lots of anxiety around it.

Sometimes it helps me to rejoice when I make it through a difficult situation - just give myself a pat on the back. That tends to calm me down a bit.

And like you, breathing. And what helps me is not to say "it's not happening now" but to ask myself "Is it happening now?" And when I answer no, I can let go of some of the fear. I ask myself questions like "Am I all right now?" and when I can answer yes, it seems to help me let go of the tension and I can feel a bit better and stay in the moment longer.

Don't know if that helps at all -

Hope you make it through the weekend - let us know

Namaste - Laurie

 

[Recovery4Me]

:hug:'s It took some T work and time to slow down that skittish to hades- in- a- hand-basket feeling after a few impact crunches, rolls over ledges (300 hundred+ feet) and a few flattened vehicles. I had to dissect the components and wrestle the whole in parts- one by one.

What is your mode of attack to get back up into the saddle so to speak?

 

[Notsowild]

Sorry JEK for what you're going through. Driving with my son was like a bad comedy skit after my accident. I was holding on for dear life while he's drinking coffee and driving with one finger. Yikes! Oh and I took me awhile to drive myself without panicking. My T and I did exposure therapy plus taking baby steps. I understand how it feels. Deep breathes and I hope you have a wonderful with your friends:hug:

 

[littlelostchild]

@JEKBreatheandBelieve you are doing it! You made it through the intersection even though you are struggling - you are using strategies to calm yourself. Remember, it is an anniversary and that makes it even tougher, so take comfort in the fact that you were present during most of the drive through the intersection and only scratched a little. You are a strong and brave woman.

I suspect that having friends over will be the best thing for you. It will be a great distraction from other thoughts. Remember to look at how far you've come and how you are able to successfully use some strategies now, even if for a short time. You can breathe and believe in yourself.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Sometimes it helps me to rejoice when I make it through a difficult situation - just give myself a pat on the back. That tends to calm me down a bit.

Thanks, I shall have to remember that. It's a good thing to make note of.

Thanks everyone. I made it through yesterday. I had huge amounts of anxiety last night and am still feeling that way this morning. All I want to do is crawl back into bed. I feel exhausted. But we're going out in a little while and I shall try to be in the moment and have fun.