I was traumatized by a lot of things I’ve heard. Unfortunately my ocd made me obsessed with car accidents and it’s hard to get them out of my head if I so much as think of driving a car.
I went through a spell of being terrified of getting into an accident as well. Something eventually just clicked one day and I came to the realization that while there are no guarantees and not all accidents or tragedies are avoidable in life, you can do the best you can to prevent them.
For me, this includes being aware of what the other drivers around me are doing at all times and familiarizing myself with and following traffic laws to the best of my ability. I also avoid busy areas during rush hour and avoid driving in bad weather conditions if at all possible, but take extra precautions if I need to anyway. Also, expect people to break traffic laws and know how to drive defensively and react appropriately. If you observe drivers on the road enough, you begin to notice a pattern in stupid behaviors and learn to expect them before they happen, and react accordingly. Of course, you won't always see it coming, but knowing how to react in certain situations is helpful for when you don't expect something. If you are a good, attentive driver, your chances of an accident decrease. Nobody is 100% immune to them, but you can minimize your risks by taking precautions and being as safe as possible.
It may not be as easy for you, but eventually my mind decided that life is too short to obsessively worry over things I can't control. It wasn't really voluntary because I could never force myself to think that way (I really wish I could), but it was more of another realization I came to. Really, any of us could be killed walking to the mailbox to check the mail, falling down stairs, etc. Literally anything could kill us somehow. All we can do is the best we can to try and prevent it.
I was in at least three car crashes in my youth, one of which was serious, but I knew I had to get back behind the wheel, because otherwise I would have had to stop going to college classes, and give up my job at a local radio station. I've had depression, and anxiety since I was maybe eleven, but honestly I've probably never feared death to tell you the truth. I do fear being maimed though, cause I'm only half as crazy as I might seem.
I do remember that they used to make us watch old films with car accidents in em when I was in Driver's Education classes. People would get a little shocked, and scared, but it wouldn't stop anyone from wanting to learn to drive.
Are you recieving any type of therapy? Nothing personal, and no offense, but your obsession seems rather excessive.
I did have a therapist a few years ago but sadly she moved. I’m scared of taking a driver’s ed class because they might tell more horror stories (I’m hoping I can find one that specializes in people like me). It’s hard for me to do what one commenter described, keeping the possibilities of accidents in my mind because thinking about them really sets me off. You all make good points, but this is all easier said than done. I just hate how my school seemed to assume that not a single student knew of the dangers and that it had to be hammered in at all cost. Eventually I just wanted to scream “OK I FUCKING GET IT!” At them!
IIN I feel very behind?
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I was traumatized by a lot of things I’ve heard. Unfortunately my ocd made me obsessed with car accidents and it’s hard to get them out of my head if I so much as think of driving a car.
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bbrown95
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RoseIsabella
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I went through a spell of being terrified of getting into an accident as well. Something eventually just clicked one day and I came to the realization that while there are no guarantees and not all accidents or tragedies are avoidable in life, you can do the best you can to prevent them.
For me, this includes being aware of what the other drivers around me are doing at all times and familiarizing myself with and following traffic laws to the best of my ability. I also avoid busy areas during rush hour and avoid driving in bad weather conditions if at all possible, but take extra precautions if I need to anyway. Also, expect people to break traffic laws and know how to drive defensively and react appropriately. If you observe drivers on the road enough, you begin to notice a pattern in stupid behaviors and learn to expect them before they happen, and react accordingly. Of course, you won't always see it coming, but knowing how to react in certain situations is helpful for when you don't expect something. If you are a good, attentive driver, your chances of an accident decrease. Nobody is 100% immune to them, but you can minimize your risks by taking precautions and being as safe as possible.
It may not be as easy for you, but eventually my mind decided that life is too short to obsessively worry over things I can't control. It wasn't really voluntary because I could never force myself to think that way (I really wish I could), but it was more of another realization I came to. Really, any of us could be killed walking to the mailbox to check the mail, falling down stairs, etc. Literally anything could kill us somehow. All we can do is the best we can to try and prevent it.
I'm very sorry to hear that!
I was in at least three car crashes in my youth, one of which was serious, but I knew I had to get back behind the wheel, because otherwise I would have had to stop going to college classes, and give up my job at a local radio station. I've had depression, and anxiety since I was maybe eleven, but honestly I've probably never feared death to tell you the truth. I do fear being maimed though, cause I'm only half as crazy as I might seem.
I do remember that they used to make us watch old films with car accidents in em when I was in Driver's Education classes. People would get a little shocked, and scared, but it wouldn't stop anyone from wanting to learn to drive.
Are you recieving any type of therapy? Nothing personal, and no offense, but your obsession seems rather excessive.
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Hubbard
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I did have a therapist a few years ago but sadly she moved. I’m scared of taking a driver’s ed class because they might tell more horror stories (I’m hoping I can find one that specializes in people like me). It’s hard for me to do what one commenter described, keeping the possibilities of accidents in my mind because thinking about them really sets me off. You all make good points, but this is all easier said than done. I just hate how my school seemed to assume that not a single student knew of the dangers and that it had to be hammered in at all cost. Eventually I just wanted to scream “OK I FUCKING GET IT!” At them!