Lost confidence and self doubt following accident

[smiles1]

I would really like to get in touch with someone who has gone through the above following a car crash (be it road or track) and suffered with lost confidence/self doubt on track following the incident.

Having been involved in a bad smash I am hoping to find others who may have experienced similar and can offer advice/real word experience to mental recovery.

My email address should be in my profile.

Thanks

Edited by smiles1 on Sunday 25th February 22:35

Edited by smiles1 on Sunday 25th February 22:36

[stevieturbo]

And was the smash your fault or others ?

[anonymous-user]

I had a bad smash last year, I was out of position on the grid came through the field on the start, guy on pole (first time he was on the front row) spun on turn one and I hit him head on.
No effect on my confidence, because it was entirely his fault, I've decided to ignore the fact I was trying to win on the first lap, was to involved in out braking the car next to me and wasn't looking fare enough round the turn etc, and blame the idiot who spun.
So my answer to your question is find some one to blame for the crash.

[BertBert]

I think people deal with it in different ways. Some get straight back in, some take time. I've been out 3 times with broken bones. Once not my fault, twice just my errors. I've found it useful for all of them to work out what happened and what I could have done differently. The analysis helps me. Then eventually you get back in. Start tentative and all the fun comes back.
Bert

[The Selfish Gene]

how bad was it Op?

I've had a few...........worst being knocked unconscious briefly at Silverstone.

Although the worst one was one of my best mates was on fire after big shunt into the wall etc.........he was fine - but that shook me up.

I've never been actually physically hurt though - I think that may make a big difference to the mental recovery time.

[The Selfish Gene]

BertBert said:

I think people deal with it in different ways. Some get straight back in, some take time. I've been out 3 times with broken bones. Once not my fault, twice just my errors. I've found it useful for all of them to work out what happened and what I could have done differently. The analysis helps me. Then eventually you get back in. Start tentative and all the fun comes back.
Bert

actually totally this. If you understand exactly why it happened, I think it really really helps.

I had a very fast spin in the wet. Returned to team to announce it was nothing to do with me, no idea what happened. Reviewed data, entirely my fault.

Also, bounced off the wall another time..............returned to team to announce it wasn't my fault..........reviewed data, entirely my fault.

It will happen if you're competitive...........and you're pushing on in racing I think.

[popeyewhite]

Hi - very quickly - psychological research (a lot) recommends a number of approaches to foster self-confidence and motivation. If you're interested the theory concerned is called Self-Efficacy theory. So hard not to cite that, lol.

Here's an easy to understand introduction and resume of steps to take.. https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/bandura-self...

[Weslake-Monza]

Mistakes happen. I spent a lot of time in thought after my last (road) accident before coming to the conclusion that the cause of my accident was my 'running out of grip'. The traffic cop told it was too much right foot. Others suggested I ran out of talent.

I suggest professional driving tuition is always money well spent - road or track. Not sure who to recommend since Bernard Aubrey retired some years ago.

[smiles1]

Thanks all for the replies, I definitely need to get back out, but also need to wait for the injuries to heal.

'Slowly slowly catchy monkey' I guess and rebuild myself mentally.

popeyewhite - thank you for the link, interesting to read.

[BertBert]

Hope you get mended soon and get back out without too much difficulty.

Amusingly, I completely forgot the fact that I broke my scaphoid last summer which kept me out for the rest of the year. Now it's nearly testing time, I get quite worried thinking about whether I can still do it or if my still dodge wrist will do ok!!

Bert

[Kickstart]

A lot of people rely on a few sessions of CBT in this situation and I have heard good things of EMDR (eye movement desensitisation treatment) via people I knew back in the forces who have had some bad experiences

Hope it all works out

[smiles1]

Who do you talk to/contact for CBT courses?

Edit: I've just found some local CBT experts in my area.

Edited by smiles1 on Tuesday 27th February 21:29

[Chris Sideways]

I’d raced on and off for 15 years or so including some very fast slick/downforce cars,then last year I had a huge accident in an arrive and drive kart, I was stuck in it for over an hour with amongst other things a shattered femur and internal bleeding from the femoral artery, I was put to sleep in the kart by a HEMS doctor so they could get me out, I woke up in hospital where I spent the next 2 weeks, then a further 4 months learning to walk again without crutches, just over a year later I’m left with a permanent limp and a leg that doesn’t feel like mine I’ve now totally falling out of love with motorsport and will never ever race again, it’s just not worth it. Good on the guys that can get straight back out there it shows real balls. You learn a lot about yourself when your bed/house bound for many months and I’ve learnt I’m very weak, but my business family and house comes first and we could of lost it down to a bloody kart race!

[Carnage]

I broke my neck in an accident at Mallory in 2009. Totally my fault.

Was really nervous the first race back the following year, but was fine after. I think you just have to accept that accidents happen, learn why you made the error, and just accept its part of motorsport. If you can’t, you won’t enjoy yourself so find another hobby. Bert seems to have a suitably pragmatic attitude!

[smiles1]

Chris Sideways said:

I’d raced on and off for 15 years or so including some very fast slick/downforce cars,then last year I had a huge accident in an arrive and drive kart, I was stuck in it for over an hour with amongst other things a shattered femur and internal bleeding from the femoral artery, I was put to sleep in the kart by a HEMS doctor so they could get me out, I woke up in hospital where I spent the next 2 weeks, then a further 4 months learning to walk again without crutches, just over a year later I’m left with a permanent limp and a leg that doesn’t feel like mine I’ve now totally falling out of love with motorsport and will never ever race again, it’s just not worth it. Good on the guys that can get straight back out there it shows real balls. You learn a lot about yourself when your bed/house bound for many months and I’ve learnt I’m very weak, but my business family and house comes first and we could of lost it down to a bloody kart race!

Hi Chris, i've sent you an email. Hopefully you got it?

[Chris Sideways]

smiles1 said:

Hi Chris, i've sent you an email. Hopefully you got it?

Hi Smiles

No email received as I think this one linked here is an old one that I no longer have access to, I’m no good with tech but I think there is a way of sending a private message on this forum?

[cookracing]

My very first race, I felt like I was pushing like hell and people were blasting bast me on the inside (turns out my suspension was on it's bump stops!). Pushed harder, fishtailed half way around paddock hill and came to a stop in the middle. Got T-Boned - my very first session!!

That knocked me a bit. The very next session at Oulton 2 years later (after sorting out the car - http://cookracing.co.uk/index.php/racing-blog/50-f... ) in a test session I spun on my own coming out of Druids, THAT shock me up worse! I though jesus this is going to carry on happening...

You just have to stick with it. I'm 6 races down now and feeling fine.

[smiles1]

Chris Sideways said:

Hi Smiles

No email received as I think this one linked here is an old one that I no longer have access to, I’m no good with tech but I think there is a way of sending a private message on this forum?

Hi Chris, I can't find a PM function unfortunately.

Could you drop me an email from my profile and I'll email you back (or let me know a way to contact you).

Cheers

Edited by smiles1 on Sunday 4th March 20:06

[Chris Sideways]

Hi Miles

I’ve just sent you an email

quote=smiles1]

Hi Chris, I can't find a PM function unfortunately.

Could you drop me an email from my profile and I'll email you back (or let me know a way to contact you).

Cheers

Edited by smiles1 on Sunday 4th March 20:06

[/quote]

[smiles1]

Chris Sideways said:

Hi Miles

I’ve just sent you an email

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