recovery from road traffic accident related stress and depression

[reddog21]

I was a passenger involved in a hit and run road traffic accident a year ago. .

I am still suffering from my injuries,

I am now suffering from stress and depression and have appointment to see a shrink,

I am worried what happens at these interviews??? any advice from people who have suffered the same kind of thing would be helpful to me.

Thanks

[Suzie40]

I don't know sorry, but didn't want to read and run. I'm so sorry to read what you've been through. Others will be able to help you with what to expect at the appointment. Take care x

[Jeffju]

I found my first appointments with my psychologist upsetting as i was very delicate but he was always so positive and could turn my ' half empty glass' into a' half full one'. We got on really well and at the end of my treatment with him we would just have a good old chat about our past week. I found it a very positive experience and miss talking to him now. Good luck.

[reddog21]

thanks for sharing your experience with me.

I am worried about my first visit as I am reaching the stage that I prefer not to talk about the road traffic accident that I was involved in.

I don't think talking about it will help me, but I could be wrong.

I keep getting flashbacks to the accident, I can see and hear everything over again as if it were a movie that I am watching,

The movie never changes it's always the same but played in slow motion. I can see the glass and bits and pieces and hear all the noises that I originally heard inside the car on the day of the accident, it's all in colour as well, how weird is that.

I just wish I could forget it all.

I have heard that people who have been involved in RTA don't remember anything afterwards, I wish....

It was a white van that hit our car, now I only have to think of the words WHITE Van and I see the "movie" all over again.

I am terrified to be in a car as a passenger, and I can't sit in the back seat at all, (that's where I was when the van hit us)....lol for someone who doesn't want to talk about it I am doing ok......lol

Rose

[Gambit62]

It sounds like what you are experiencing is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It happens to about 30% of people who are involved in some sort of traumatic incident, so it is quite common. Most people try to repress it by avoiding the things that trigger the 'reliving' you are describing but that generally causes other problems and means that dealing with the original trauma gets much more difficult.

There was a good episode of the West Wing where one of the characters experienced PTSD after an assassiination attempt. The 'shrink' that was brought in told him that he was there to help him get to the point where he could remember the incident without reliving it - which was, of course what happened.

It is natural to feel apprehensive. It will feel strange and could feel awkward but the 'shrink' is there to help you. The best thing to do is to be honest. If you feel uncomfortable, tell them. They will probably be trying to get you to look at what happened from a different angle to help you get to the point where you can remember without reliving, though that may not happen in the first session which is likely to be more about trying to get to understand you, where you are, what the problem is and what is likely to be the best way of helping you.

Hope it all goes well.

[reddog21 in reply to Gambit62]

thanks for your advice when I think about what you have said it makes sense, they can hardly fix everything in one session. I agree I think I have PTSD too, but have no idea of how to stop the "movie" I expect with expert help it's possible for me to overcome this.

after all many other people have overcome a lot worse.

thanks for your help

Rose

[Hopetobehappy2013]

Hello, I'm sorry to hear about your accident, it does seem to be that you are likely suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. However, only a psychiatrist can diagnose this, I assume you are due to see a psychiatrist? They will talk to you about how you are feeling and talk about a treatment plan that will assist you to recover. This will likely include psychological therapy and or medication or watching your symptoms to see they don't get worse. At the end of the day they are there to help you, don't be worried as they don't aim to do things that people don't want. I have a friend who is a psychologist trained to work with PTSD and she is one of the kindest most gentle people I know!

I'm just trying to reassure you, try not to worry, it is common for people not to want to talk about the incident but to have flashbacks / nightmares and intrusive thoughts. Our minds do try and protect us sometimes with amnesia. I had a car accident years ago where I was knocked down and I never remembered more than fuzzy headlights - and then a big chunk of time where I had apparently banged my head, and had talked to people etc. is lost. Probably for the best when I was on the bonnet and banged my head on the panel beside the windscreen / falling down on the road. I still think how lucky I was not to hit the windscreen...anyway, that's my story, I just wanted to reassure you- try not to worry! See how you go! Xx

[reddog21 in reply to Hopetobehappy2013]

hello

Yes I have been referred to see a psychiatrist, because of the road traffic accident all I know about psychiatrist is what I have seen on TV....lol and that's not probably what it's like at all.

Yes I think I am suffering from PTSD from what I have read about PTSD on the internet my symptoms fit the re run "movie" of events because I remember too much from the accident, more than I would like and all I want to do is forget about it.

Do you know can these memories get worse if we try to suppress them?

I expect that they can.

I feel better for your help and advice, thanks for taking the time to send to me

I am not so scared now, my appointment with the psychiatrist will be within the next 3 or 6 weeks.

Rose

[wengels2001]

Hi reddog21, keep this fancy names away and keep it simply. What are your injures. I lost my leg then I was 18 years old. It took me one and a half year. to do what I want to because the skin need the time to get strong again. I was a frustrating time but you can get over it

[reddog21]

hello

sorry to hear about your accident, it was severe compared to mine,

Do you mind if I don't talk about it today, feeling a bit down,

but I really feel guilty as I was hardly injured compared to you.

I wish you well in the future,

Are you ok now?

if I can help you I would.

Best of luck

Rose