That isn't fair that your father is being like that. It's not your fault. Try to remember that it is really not the same day, it is a different day. Try to remind yourself that you are safe when you pass the accident site, and that you are not their anymore and that you are okay. Try deep breathing when you drive past as well to keep your nerves down.

Probably not practical suggestions BUT...

Maybe drive it on a different day (confront anxiety but separate out the day and place) or
Avoid it by taking another route or getting someone else to drive) ~ sometimes the kindest thing we can do for ourselves is to NOT push ourselves... It can be hard to remember to BE kind to ourselves!

HUGS! Whatever you choose to do remember to breathe, stop and chill if feeling over-whelmed/stressed.

wow i am sorry, but have to say, I had a car accident 2 years ago christmas eve. It broke my leg, fractured my ankle in 3 places , left me bedridden for over a year and can barely walk now, still going through surgeries.
I suggest the same thing as caballita
i went to a q n a on ptsd put on by a psychiatrist that specializes in ptsd, and that was on the list of things to avoid, driving through the same area as where a trauma occured. he says to take a different route.
i hope u feel better soon

It's not just related to car crashes, but EMDR helps many of us.

Oh dear. I can understand your anxiety. I totaled my car a year to the day, and even more than driving, I am an anxious passenger. I agree with the advice given, and if unable to avoid the site, emdr and deep breathing? Maybe someone can help you develop soothing self talk...

I've had to revisit the site of my 2011 fall several times--it occurred by a hospital, my effing luck---just remember to breathe, remember this is one moment of millions in your day, and imagine the treat you'll give yourself once you've gotten past that spot---focus on the "Once I go past this place, I get a frozen yogurt" (guilty!) or "When I'm home, I think I'll watch an extra episode of my favorite TV show".... think *beyond* the moment of seeing the trigger.

And you have control! You can choose not to go past that spot! At any point---you can choose a different route---no blame accrues, it's not weakness, it's just simple self-care.

As for the father thing, well, does he have any phobias? Clowns, snakes, whatever? My hubby is deathly afraid of spiders, so if I need a metaphor for something triggering, I tell him, "This to me is like a spider crawling on you would be for you," and that has yet to fail.

Hang in there:-)

dad needs to stop your not to blame id go different route you can do it hugs minnie

Major car crashes are not on my own trauma list, (so far, knock wood) but I have a tendency to fall asleep at the wheel, which makes me nearly phobic of that trauma being added to my list.

It might not be pertinent here, but I take the anxiety as a warning signal and pull over as soon as I can safely do so. I then get out of the car to do stretches and breathing exercises until I feel in control again.

Gentle support and validation while you work out what works for you, Bria. For me, trauma anniversaries are the toughest part of PTSD, whatever the trauma.

I wonder why I do not have PTSD related to all the junkers I totaled in my 20's.
I have metal in my left arm and had to get my right eyebrow put back in place from the first one. No airbags back then!

But nope, I still drive like a Houstonian...well, with one exception, I always drive sober...O.O.

...I have PTSD from other stuff, apparently I'm ok wrecking cars.