PTSD after seeing my son being hit by a car

bokts · ‎22-03-2021

Hi, i’m new here and feel like i am only now accepting that i may be going through PTSD. My 7 year old son was hit by a car a year and a half ago, he is fine now but broke his leg at the time. I have told myself and family and friends all this time that i am fine, but in reality i have nightmares and i get a lot of anxiety around roads and driving and my kids being near roads. I feel like i have lost my happiness and i hide myself away a lot. I have always had trouble accepting help and i don’t like for people close to me to worry about me. I’m not really sure what to do as i don’t have much time on my hands with 3 young kids, work and a busy husband. I though maybe someone who has been through a similar experience could give some tools ? thanks

james1 · ‎22-03-2021

Hello bokts,

Welcome to the forums. I'm so sorry to hear that your son was hit, and that you still have to deal with the mental PTSD now.

I understand that you find it hard to accept help, so I just wanted to just acknowledge that you've been really brave in challenging that and coming to talk to us here.

I don't personally have any PTSD issues, but I'm hoping that others here may be able to jump in and help you. From what I understand, you haven't got any current professional help, is that right?

James

quirkywords · ‎22-03-2021

Boots,
i am sorry for what you experienced. I had trauma about 15 montbsago and I kept saying I was fine as I was sometimes. I avoided people and places to do with my trauma, mood swings and triggers.

I did the mindspot course that you may find helpful.

www.mindspot.org.au

it has different modules,has people who have experienced trauma and what helped. Also a person rings you up and emails to check on you.

it is worth a look as I found it very helpful.

Sophie_M · ‎22-03-2021

Hi bokts,

Welcome to our friendly online community. It's good to see some of our members reaching out to you with their thoughtful words and excellent advice. We're so sorry that you son was hit by a car. Even though he is fine now we can understand why this would be so traumatic for you. Please know that there is some support available to help you through any difficult feelings that you have been left with.

You have asked for some tools. It may be helpful to take a look on our page on “PTSD” which includes a section on treatments. You also mentioned that you are feeling anxiety around roads. For this, you may find it useful to take a look at our page "Anxiety management strategies".

We hear that at the moment you are not comfortable letting your loved ones know that you're in need of some help. It sounds like you do a lot of care work for a lot of people - it's so important that you take care of yourself as well. Reaching out here is a great first step and we do hope that you find something helpful here.

It may be a useful next step, if you feel up to it, to reach out to a helpline. Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. You can call them 24/7 on 13 11 14, or chat with them online 7pm-midnight AEDT - https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/

Thanks again for reaching out. Please feel free to keep talking to the community here.

bokts · ‎23-03-2021

Thank you for your reply, i will give the course a try!

RecoveringfromPTSD_NVS · ‎29-03-2021

Hi Bokts,

Sorry to hear about your experience. I hope you and your son are doing ok?

I have only just started on the forum and came across your post. I was hit by a car when I was 8 years old. Broke my leg, spent 3 weeks in a coma, and the best part of 2 years in and out of the RCH. I am now 43, am mostly recovered however now dealing with my own PTSD issues. My farther (now 75) had the same experience of witnessing when I was hit.

I don’t know that I can offer specific help but would be happy to talk about my experience and how I have come through life if that helps?

Best regards

Backtheblue91 · ‎31-03-2021

Hi Bokts,

The first thing to know is that what you are experiencing is normal. I experienced many of the same traumatic scenarios and leaves an impression on you. With PTS there is, in my experience anyway, a delayed onset as your subconscious mind is processing the traumatic event. While I can't refer you to specific services, there are some fantastic ones out there that can release you from those negative/traumatic emotions that are attached to the event.

I hope you are able to recover and live the purposeful life that you deserve.

Stay safe 🙂