Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Approximately 2 months ago I was in a severe car crash. I was blind-sided, never saw it coming. An elderly person ran a red light from an off ramp traveling around 50 mph and destroyed my car. I had a few injuries, but they have luckily healed, and I have no further pain (thankfully).
The problem now is that I experience, what I believe to be, severe anxiety attacks while in a moving vehicle. It does not matter if I am the drive or the passenger, I experience the same feelings. I live in Southern Florida so there are constantly drivers that are swerving, rear-ending people, and so on... I am also very close to my mother and father, and feel great fear when they leave, even to the grocery store, that they will not return (that greatly troubles me).
It is hard to explain, but while I am in any moving vehicle that approaches another vehicle I experience what I believe is a surge of adrenaline. My entire body tenses, almost like a board (like I am bracing myself for impact). I stop breathing for some time, and begin to hyperventilate. It can take 5 minutes or more for myself to begin to calm down, and even then I can feel my heart pounding, and my body pouring sweat.
As you would expect this is especially dangerous while I am driving. I am afraid that I am either going to cause an accident, or cause whomever I am riding with to have an accident. Breathing exercises help slightly when the fear of losing my parents overcomes me, but I have never felt like this before.
I have tried breathing exercises, and spoken briefly to my therapist when these attacks first began. At first I thought that what has been happening to me would subside over time, but it has in fact become increasingly worse.
I would really appreciate any advice on how to handle my situation.
Thank you all,
Distressed Driver
The problem now is that I experience, what I believe to be, severe anxiety attacks while in a moving vehicle. It does not matter if I am the drive or the passenger, I experience the same feelings. I live in Southern Florida so there are constantly drivers that are swerving, rear-ending people, and so on... I am also very close to my mother and father, and feel great fear when they leave, even to the grocery store, that they will not return (that greatly troubles me).
It is hard to explain, but while I am in any moving vehicle that approaches another vehicle I experience what I believe is a surge of adrenaline. My entire body tenses, almost like a board (like I am bracing myself for impact). I stop breathing for some time, and begin to hyperventilate. It can take 5 minutes or more for myself to begin to calm down, and even then I can feel my heart pounding, and my body pouring sweat.
As you would expect this is especially dangerous while I am driving. I am afraid that I am either going to cause an accident, or cause whomever I am riding with to have an accident. Breathing exercises help slightly when the fear of losing my parents overcomes me, but I have never felt like this before.
I have tried breathing exercises, and spoken briefly to my therapist when these attacks first began. At first I thought that what has been happening to me would subside over time, but it has in fact become increasingly worse.
I would really appreciate any advice on how to handle my situation.
Thank you all,
Distressed Driver
deleted_user
It sounds like you had a very traumatic experience. And it's affecting you. My suggestion would be to seek out a counselor good in post traumatic incidents. BIG HUGS... this won't last forever
deleted_user
yeah that would me too. Just keep driving and riding and it should get better.
deleted_user
I do attend an anxiety group therapy group, and I try to implement the tools I have taken away from there. I guess my main question is, how long is too long for this to go on? It has been nearly 3 months from the accident now. I really appreciate your help doll & loo!
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