[PinYoda]

I have PTSD when riding in vehicles because of a car accident I was in a year ago. But a few months ago, my PTSD changed. When I get into a car, whether I'm driving or not, I start to feel like I'm in a dream. Like I am looking at myself. I see myself panicking due to PTSD, but don't feel it as much as I should.

I begin to feel more panicked and look around and everything around me seems to be moving too fast so my eyes don't focus causing it to be blurry. And sometimes things look closer than I know they really are. This feeling begins as soon as I sit down in a vehicle and doesn't stop until about a half hour after getting out of the vehicle. It happens every single time and don't know what it is.

I am not looking for a diagnosis, I just want to know if anyone else experiences it.

Yes, when we relive an occurance based on a trigger, a similarity, it for the moment places us back in time mentally where we can relive it. It is a defense mechanism to disassociate ones self from the trauma by looking at it surreally. It allows you to slowly digest and make sense of what had happened to you. I still recommend talking to a Therapist about this. It sounds like a break through is around the corner for you where you can get past this so it won't keep happening anymore. I hope this helps. tc

PTSD is in the dissociative spectrum, so being like how you feel is inline with the disorders.

I couldn't say that you are getting better or worse, but it sounds like your mind has moved to a whole new level by trying to escape the adverse emotions and memories.

Do you have a T to talk too? Driving in this condition is so dangerous, and taking the bus gets old.

I hope that you get well sweety.

[amandalouise]

yes this has happened to me, my own treatment providers call this a panic anxiety attack, not a part of my dissociative problems, because it does not fit with the new dissociative disorders diagnostics.

(in short the new diagnostics for dissociative disorders contain the criterion stating the problem must not be better explained by another mental disorder, since PTSD/anxiety better explains this problem in me thats why for me its not called a dissociative problem)

the solution for me was a change in my medications. once on the right meds at the right dosage I no longer has panic anxiety attacks when riding in vehicles.

suggestion contact your treatment providers or one near you, they can help you to find the solution that right for you so that you no longer have panic anxiety attacks when in vehicles.

I did some looking and on the VA website they describe a dissociative subtype of PTSD that includes symptoms of depersonalization and derealization, much like how you described. See website for info:

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/...eria_dsm-5.asp

Dissociative Subtype of PTSD - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

[phoenix7]

yes this happens to me - it is in my opinion disassociating - its a protection thing we do - i call it taking a step back

[Shaly78]

If it's safe to do, talk about the trauma of the car accident have your therapist equip you with tools to make it safe transition to where you can eliminate a few times in the car where this doesn't happen. To my knowledge, I've found that the more you talk about it once safety is established the better it gets. Right away, you have to keep trying even if it gets you symptomatic more initially. I promise it does help!