PTSD after car crash

[Something_Something]

I dont even know where to begin.
I was recently in a Highspeed 2 car crash. 
I dont really remember how i got out the car as the doors were fused shut, ive been told i kicked the window out and climbed though the broken glass.
From there i was taken to the local hospital and put into an induced coma to help with the swelling on the brain.

Now for the reason im here; I cannot get into a car with crying the whole the whole time, even now as im typing remembering the the impact and the heat of the fire. i cant sleep. Im at breaking point and its only been a week since the accident.

I dont know what else to say or ask. but any replies would be appreciated

[kanga_brumby]

Something Something, welcome to BB what the problem is is. Post tramatic stress. You have had the shit scared out of you. Your brain is still healing, and you still remember the crash. Its fresh in your mind your memory is coming out your still scared from the accident. Did the doctors advise you to see someone if not talk to your GP and talk to them see where it goes. It will take time but eventually you should get your sleep and back into a car. It wont be right away but it will get there.

Kanga

[Something_Something]

Ty for the quick reply. My doctors did not suggest i go see anyone. I think that is going to have to be my first step.
It seems so much worse today because its also the first time i've been alone with my thoughts since the accident. Ive always had someone here with me. But TY again. Just to read someone gets it helps

[kanga_brumby]

I've had crashes myself. No where near as bad as yours. But it takes time to get over it to repair the body. that can be slow depending how bad it was, months, years. The mind can take even longer. Some people never fully recover.

Kanga

[MarkJT]

Something Something, PTSD is something that you are not going to recover from in the next week or so and there is no magic pill that will alleviate what you are experiencing.

What I suggest is that you need to some a decent amount of clinical sessions with a psych. I was hospitalised with PTSD, depression and anxiety in Feb 2013 after an incident I attended at work (policing) some ten years earlier. I was having nightmares, flashbacks, was hyper-vigilant, having sleep issues and a range of other emotions.

Post hospital I went through a course of exposure therapy which is a kind of cognitive behavior therapy. Now this was brutal to go through but if i was to relapse tomorrow, I would start the exposure therapy the next day. If basically takes the power out of images and for me the images was what did the damage.

As your possible PTSD is a physical thing, it can operate the same way. The memories you have are embedded into your brain and you need to deal with them. Exposure works on about 35% of people apparently but there are also really effective ways of treating PTSD. EMDR is really good but i have not done that so can't say what it is like.

The first and foremost thing you need to do though is get to the GP and most likely get a referral to a psych. Once this is done then let me know and we will chat some more about what to do next.

Keep in mind that you can get your life back - with the right treatment and application from you, you will be able to live again.

Mark.

[RobbieP]

Hey something,

firstly mate you have taken the first step to seek help, and that is a massive step all together.

Im a current serving member of the Australia Defence Force and suffer from depressive PTSD, all this was caused from childhood abuse.

PTSD is such a powerful thing mate, and very overpowering, these triggers you are getting must be absolutely awful! But there is light mate just need to stick in there, I'll share with you some ways you can manage and seek appropriate help. The brain works in a funny way where these triggers concert back to the memory side of the brain and instantly goes into flight or fight mode, you might be feeling lost and very spaced with everyone else but you need to understand all these emotional feelings and triggers are normal and it's ok (:

The way I found useful was meditation, mindfulness techniques and something very passionate to me which is sport, this includes in a sense of building your brain and allowing the brain to come back to the thinking stage of your brain and get you out of the flight or fight mode.

Meditation - I personally didn't receive help for this but it's what I dug out of my brain and it worked, I used to light a candle and watch the different movements of the flame and really appreciate the smoothness of the flame it self it made me really focus and allowed me to dismantle my thoughts into that flame.

Mindfullness - This I used all the time if I felt anxious or a daily routine I still do when I shave every morning, there is a app called insight timer and there is relaxation techniques that help you relax your muscles if you feel any tension it is really reall good and I felt I could relax. I also got a calander for years and marked down simple events I looked forward too, at this stage I was very depressed and suicidal and this helped me remember that I do have things to look forward too.

Exercise - Find something your passionate about and just do it, no matter any exercises will release endorphines (: which will help overcome any feelings your experiencing.

Lasty, If none of this helps, seek help mate, sometimes it might take some time to find the right psyc, but they will help you and never be embarrassed! Cause it's normal and it's ok (:

Take care mate, alot of us are here if you need anyone.

Keep us updated

[MarkJT]

RobbieP, welcome to the forums mate - i see you are in the ADF and owning your mental health injuries and illnesses. Much respect in being public about it as being a member of Victoria Police, there is a "harden up" attitude among some people in our respective organisations (which is thankfully changing) so with you being open about it, you will helping so many others.

Your post is brilliant, your techniques are brilliant, your attitude is brilliant.

Look forward to seeing more of your posts.

Mark.

[RobbieP]

Hey Mark,

Thanks mark I have been following your posts and it's truly remarkable to see!

Your a 100% right the 'harden up' attitude is there but as you said slowly it's changing its fantastic to see, I'm glad more and more people are being open about as its not a scar everyone can see and it's tough mate.

Your work is appreciated mate and it's tough in our organisations to be open and help others but us doing that is doing way more good then bad.

Take care mate Robbie