The Trucker started this discussion 11 years ago#45,245
Last week, my doctor labeled me with having PTSD from my crash in April. It comes because of me having anxiety attacks during certain situations while driving, such as heavy traffic, seeing an accident, hearing strange sounds, or seeing certain words.
These past few days have been very bad. Tonight, I woke up covered in sweat after having dreams of the crash, and have been unable to go back to sleep. I have to stop driving from time to time because the thoughts just come when it feels like it, and it interferes with me safely operating my truck.
Now, worst thoughts have been coming to mind. If they yank me from the truck.... Life is gonna suck, cause I love driving truck....
brie !uXWPG0MygI joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 3 minutes later[^][v]#597,153
I don't know if this is of any assuage but there are truck driving simulators that may help you through the day.
The Trucker (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 2 minutes later, 6 minutes after the original post[^][v]#597,156
@previous (brie !uXWPG0MygI)
If I get pulled from truck, I may have to get the game... Only problem is, it won't make me any money.
Methlyfe !KansasxqvM joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 1 minute later, 7 minutes after the original post[^][v]#597,158
Maybe you need some time off though. I can only imagine how badly a serious crash would affect you in the job. It's possible that trying to stay in the truck will only exacerbate the PSTD to the point where you really can't drive safely anymore, you don't want that.
Methlyfe !KansasxqvM double-posted this 11 years ago, 35 seconds later, 8 minutes after the original post[^][v]#597,161
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 2 minutes later, 11 minutes after the original post[^][v]#597,163
@597,158 (Methlyfe !KansasxqvM)
I was off for a month and a half following crash. I collected very little from workers comp at that point. The money was so little I had no choice but to get back in truck.
I had thought the same thing, time off, but I really can't afford it.
kook !!Phkn/3Gic joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 3 minutes later, 14 minutes after the original post[^][v]#597,171
I want you to figure out your own plans because you know yourself best. I've chosen to walk away from various things in my life that I find too stressful and triggering. I think that's a reasonable and healthy tactic and I want you to not feel any pressure about it being a manly thing to stifle your pains and get back into danger.
I still have bad dreams nearly 20 years after my traumas started. I've learned that self care is an ongoing habit and lifestyle and these pains just don't go away. They can be managed and controlled.
Be good to yourself. You deserve to be safe, happy, and secure.
Anonymous K joined in and replied with this 10 years ago, 1 hour later, 3 months after the original post[^][v]#636,125
I am sorry. I have heard that sudden onset PTSD is a bit like panic attacks. I had a friend once who had these. Their solution was a goal-setting one. When a panic attack strikes, you need to get peanut butter!
It wasn't the peanut butter or anything else, it was just setting a goal and accomplishing it that made the panic go away. She needed to eat peanut butter, but she always had some in her pantry at home. It was just when the panic struck, she had a plan and a thing she needed to do. She could do that thing to make the feelings go away. When the panic feeling hits, that is when you need to find something to do. Accomplishing a task you set out to do gives you confidence. So if getting peanut butter is an easy goal, that might work. If something else is an easy goal (Do 10 push-ups, untie and retie your shoes, walk around the block, etc...)
I have had weird panic attacks before, but I can't speak to the haunting dreams. (I've had some pretty weird DT crazies) That's a bit more of a thing. I would say tackle this on conscious level, and the dreams aren't going to be an issue.