Ok, easy does it, yes that is PTSD. And that can happen after years of an event taking place. Usually something happens that reminds you of that event and that is called a trigger. A trigger could be a certain noise or noises or things that you may not have noticed at the time of the accident. And the Flashbacks are either triggered by something, a sight or noise etc. or even hearing about another accident on the news.

It is important that if you have a flashback you think about the noises and information in that flashback that may be a trigger. If you are in a flashback remember that it is not happening now and work at staying calm. Then you can consciously, after the flashback think about it and say, yes that did happen, and I survived it and I am ok.

If someone else did not survive through that accident that you knew than you must take time out to morn that accident and how you feel about it. You can even talk it out here and we will listen. But you need to let the feelings you have about it out.
Often people surpress emotions during a past event because they were stunned or had no control and it was just something the person never expected to experience.
So often there are things that impacted you that you were just not ready to address at that time and you can address it now.

It is not unusual for people in car accidents to be fearful afterwards about being in vehicles as they experience the fact that one is completely powerless during impact.
It is not something that someone would expect. I was in an accident years ago and I hit a truck that was not moving and the lights were not on. I was going slow and didn't think I would hit the truck but it was like slow motion and I could see the front of my car hit and I was hitting my head on the windshield before I knew it. I have since had issues with being too close to the vehicle in front of me and I have a hard time as a passenger when someone is going fast and getting too close to vehicles in front. So it is very normal to have memories and uncomfortable feelings after an accident for many years.

You have to work at telling yourself that it was something that happened in your past and you are ok now. And it takes time to make a conscious effort before your mind finally comes to terms with it and it doesn't stir up unwanted emotions.

I am sorry you had to experience that in your past. But you have to remember that your here now and it is a bad memory. It will always be a memory but you can work at it so it doesn't continue to interupt your life.

I am still very conscious about getting too close to the car in front of me in traffic but I dont get upset like I used to. I probably would have gotten over it faster had I known it was normal to get upset at things after experiencing an accident. So just give it time, it will ease up. Just keep telling yourself that you are experiencing a normal reaction and you can overcome it. Don't let it take over, you can work it out, just give it time.

Open Eyes