Experiencing anxiety after an accident is a common response. It's your body's way of reacting to a traumatic event to keep you safe. It can be helpful to seek professional help if your anxiety is causing significant distress or impacting your ability to carry out daily activities, such as driving at night.
Here are a few suggestions to manage your anxiety:
Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can help you understand and manage your thoughts and feelings. CBT is proven to be very effective in managing anxiety disorders.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation can help you manage immediate anxiety symptoms.
Exposure Therapy: Gradually exposing yourself to the fear trigger can help you manage your anxiety over time. In your case, you could start with short drives at dusk and gradually progress to longer drives in full darkness.
Self-care: Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep can have a positive effect on your mental health.
Support Groups: Sharing your experiences with others who have gone through the same can be reassuring.
Remember that everyone is different, and different approaches work for different people. You may need to try a few different strategies to see what works best for you. If your anxiety persists or worsens, it would be a good idea to reach out to a mental health professional for help. It's also always a good idea to talk to a trusted individual in your life about what you're experiencing. You don't have to deal with this alone.
Lastly, remember that it's okay to seek help. Experiencing an accident can be a traumatic event, and it's normal to need some assistance navigating the aftermath. Don't hesitate to reach out to professionals if your feelings of anxiety continue.