tiggermnOn my way home from work today I realized something.
While I am physically recovering from my my first major car accident; emotionally, I don’t think I am.
Driving is completely different for me now.
At every single intersection, even if I am the only car there, I feel anxiety. Every single intersection.
I have that feeling of, “will I get hit again?”
“Will a car come out of nowhere and hit me?”
As I drive through (especially turning through) an intersection, I can almost relive the accident: the suddenness, the impact, the car being turned 180 degrees, the smell of the airbags…and then as I am out of the intersection, the feeling is gone.
I feel this way through every single intersection.
Maybe it sounds strange, but its what I feel.
That accident shook me to the core.
Its not strange at all. Don’t feel like it’s you.…it’s NORMAL.
I’ve been in 3 accidents total — one severe one as a passenger when I was 15, 2nd as a passenger which was minor and the 3rd as the driver — I was hit on the front passenger corner as I was making a left turn onto a freeway.
I had the same fear you do every time for a very long time. I’m still a very cautious driver and now don’t like to drive at all. I’m okay in my own neighborhood but once I leave there its totally nerve-wracking.
Your anxiety is not crazy or a weird over reaction. I felt the same way. The good news is that over time you will regain your confidence and it will get easier. I think when you sustain an injury, however minor, the reality of what might have been hits a bit deeper.
You will feel better with time and it won’t be so intense. 🙂
Take care, Alex