<p>This is pretty much the only forum I go on, and I know this is pretty irrelevant to this community, but... If you have any advice for me, I'd love to hear it.</p>
<p>About two weeks ago I was in a terrible car accident in the fast line. I was completely at fault (the other vehicle was in my blind spot), and the left side of my car was destroyed. I went into shock and later the hospital. I'm still feeling a lot of tension in my neck, shoulders, etc...</p>
<p>Today I drove for the first time since the accident. I figured I'd feel a little nervous, but I was wrong. I was absolutely petrified. Whenever a vehicle was parallel or near me my heart would flutter... The worst was being in a left turn lane if there was someone near me. Even seeing someone, say, pull out of a parking lot way in front of me had me shaky. What's worse is that I almost got in a couple of accidents. First, a man in a right turn only lane tried to go straight (into my lane). I swerved to the left, and thank goodness no one was there. The second time, at a five-way stop, it was my turn to go and a man went ahead of me. He stopped and waved me forward. I was out in the intersection when a huge Dodge whipped out in front of me, stopping me in the intersection. Lastly, a man took a leash off of his golden retriever right as I turned into a parking lot. I quickly went into another lane, and there was someone very close behind me. I ended up parked in the lot for a few minutes, almost crying.</p>
<p>I came home about fifteen minutes ago, and my legs are shaky, and I'm hyperventilating. I really thought I'd be able to handle this, and I'm freaking out. I have school tomorrow, and I have to drive myself there (about half an hour away, most of that time spent on freeway). I'm absolutely terrified. But I have no choice. My parents work and no one else could get me to school, and I wouldn't want to ask anyway. PLEASE help me. Have any of you had to deal with this before? Does anyone have advice (please don't say therapy, its not an option because my parents don't believe in it)?</p>
<p>Some nervousness is quite normal. We were in wreck some years back where someone crashed into the back of us at a junction and totaled my car. I was quite nervous for a while and whenever I had to stop I would be very nervous and looking in the rear view miror constantly. 11 years later I still dislike having to stop to turn at the junction the accident happened at.</p>
<p>Tell your parents how you feel. Perhaps you can ask one of them to go with you for a couple of short drives today - maybe even a practice run to school? Make sure your mirrors etc are set so that you have no blind spots. Concentrate on your driving. If you need to pull over (safely) now and then to calm yourself that is fine. The more you do it the more settled your nerves should become. If you don't get back to driving your dread of it will just get worse.</p>
<p>I had a similar but not nearly as dangerous experience. A few years ago, I took a line drive off the side of my head while pitching. The next time I tried to go out, I had a similar reaction to yours. I was hyperventilating and really nervous. I really had to ease back into pitching, first just throwing batting practice, then working my way up to live games. Maybe you could go out and drive around side streets for a while to build up your confidence again. I really think you should see a doctor of some sort, but if your parents 100% forbid you from going then I'd try to find a ride to school. Going out on the freeway with the reaction you had today doesn't seem like a good idea.</p>
<p>I agree with Swimcatsmom. Driving some before you have to will help because it will get better every time you drive.</p>
<p>I was in an accident a few weeks ago that scared the bejeebers out of me. I was not at fault and what happened was not as understandable as what happened with you. I've got 30 years of driving experience and I was pretty apprehensive of false moves and distrustful of other drivers. Since you mention that you were at fault, you are probably not feeling real confident in your abilities right now. You need to give yourself time to rebuild your own trust in yourself. Maybe having your parents drive with you will give you some reassurance. (If you were my kid, I'd probably welcome the opportunity to reassure myself of your abilities as well.) It might be a good idea to find a route to use for a while that doesn't require that you drive on the freeway. Being in a different car could be contributing some to your uneasiness also.</p>