Muffy,

I think this situation is very important for you to understand that you are not stupid....nothing you did was stupid. It sounds to me like you just let down your guard & were in an unfamiliar situation (not your own car). It wasn't that you didn't know to keep your doors locked or not open your car windows or talk to anyone you didn't know. You were in a different car that you weren't used to & didn't know where the automatic locks or window buttons were.....there isn't anything stupid about that....when something out of the blue caught you unaware.

When we haven't had to be on our guard for anything for a long time or even think about being in an unsafe situation, we just aren't quite prepared to do all the right things at the right time....remember that has nothing to do with being stupid.

I think you were very SMART:....started screaming.....started driving away immediately....went directly to the police station instead of going home (so they couldn't find out where you live)....those were all the right things to do given the situation & there is nothing stupid about that......very very wise.

I am sure that if you had been in your own car that you knew very well, this wouldn't have happened the way it did.

It's sad to say, but sometimes, it's good when things happen (without a bad outcome) to make us realize that we do have to be aware of what is going on around us....things we start taking for granted when we don't personally have scarry experiences. The changes you have made because of this experience will protect you even more in the future & you will be more prepared if something else happens. You will also have the confidence knowing that what you did this time was the right thing & will also know what to tell others who might get into similar experiences.

Yes, you are very lucky that nothing bad happened......but you were enough in control that you did the right thing given the situation you were in.

Nothing stupid about what you did.....I think you are a good example of what to do in a situation like that. I hope you can calm down....I know the fear that causes (been there before also with someone who followed me for 40 miles in my car). It takes a long time for the anxiety to calm down.

Take care of yourself & be kind....you really did the right things,
Debbie