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I don't know how to deal with this..

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Posted 8/24/2013 5:57 AM (GMT 0)
First off, I'm sorry if this post disturbs people.
I'm on my way from Seattle across the state to Spokane for my cousin's wedding. Its about a 5 hour drive. Anyway we just drove past a terrible accident and there were tons of ambulances and police, and I kept saying out loud "don't look, don't look!".. but of course I couldn't help it. There was a dead person laying there covered by a thin sheet. Am I dramatic for being disturbed by this? I was already really anxious about this trip and this was not a good start. I want to go home..
Posted 8/24/2013 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
SJ,

You are not being dramatic. This was a human life, and as such you feel compassion, and are touched by the tragedy. I would worry about someone who wasn't affected!

However, this does not have to ruin your trip. It was simply an accident, and sad though it was...has no bearing on your trip or is in no way a harbinger of bad news...it simply was.

Try to put it out of your mind and enjoy the rest of your trip. If you are a praying person...say a prayer for the families of the incident.

Fun and safe travels, and enjoy the wedding

Post when you get back! (or before)

S.C.
Posted 8/24/2013 6:22 AM (GMT 0)
You did very well, I'm one of those idiots that stops and tries to help, I have once or twice but most of
the time I just feel stupid and in the way and like you I have trouble shaking it off. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 8/24/2013 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
I can totally relate. I've looked way too many times than I should have. That feeling will keep you shaky for a little while.

I hope your better about it and can enjoy your trip and the wedding.
Posted 8/24/2013 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. I'm sure the rest of the vacation will be just fine!
I finally figured out what happened. A woman was on the back of a motorcycle with a suspected drunk driver, she somehow fell off and landed in the road, then was hit by another car and killed. The other car just kept going.. :( I feel bad for everyone involved, not the drunk driver though.
Posted 8/24/2013 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
You are so very normal!! :-)
I am exactly the same if I see something terrible! I can think about it for days!
Even if I see a dead animal in the road I'm the same!!
Just the other day(I know this isn't as bad as someone dying) but me and my hubby was at the petrol station and this old man had put petrol in his diesel car,and the look on his and his wife's face was horrible!!
I couldn't stop thinking about it for days!
I kept wishing I was rich so I could get their car fixed!! lol...
I think people like you and me and many other's are very deep thinker's, but I think it shows that we care!! :-)
Posted 8/24/2013 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
MSB is right!!

The profile for most anxious people includes:

*High level of intelligence = overthinking.

*High level of empathy = caring/identifying a lot with others and their situations and emotions.

We often end up 'taking on' others issues...that add to our own anxieties.

I completely understand how seeing an older man ruin his car could affect you MSB! A lot of people would just shake their heads...but for us, this becomes something that weighs on our hearts.

...and even more so with a tragic accident!

However, I would rather be an overthinker and empathetic person than not, so it just comes down to guarding ourselves with coping skills to make sure that we don't get over-stressed.

SJ, I am glad that you are moving past this, and able to enjoy the rest of your trip.

Peace everyone,

S.C.
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