Anyone tried therapy specifically for crash anxiety? Feel silly even asking

Genuine question — have you been formally evaluated by a mental health professional, or is this mostly self-diagnosed based on symptoms? I'm not doubting you at all, but there's a difference between situational anxiety that fades and something that needs structured trauma therapy. Might be worth getting a proper assessment before jumping into a specific modality, just so you're treating the right thing.

Two things: stop minimizing what happened to you, and make the appointment. Anxiety that's affecting your sleep and your ability to drive is a real problem regardless of how the ER visit went. EMDR isn't magic but it has actual research behind it for trauma. The only way to know if it works for you is to try it.

I want to push back gently on the idea that you have to be physically hurt badly to have a legitimate trauma response. Your nervous system doesn't grade crashes on a severity scale — it just registers "I was in danger" and sometimes gets stuck there. What you're describing with the panic attacks, hypervigilance while driving, intrusive memories, and sleep disruption sounds textbook acute stress or even early PTSD symptoms. That's real, it's documented, and it absolutely warrants treatment. EMDR has a solid evidence base for exactly this kind of thing. Please don't wait on it.

Not legal advice, but I'll mention this since you're on a platform connected to accident claims — psychological injuries like what you're describing are legitimate and compensable in personal injury cases. Documented therapy for accident-related anxiety is taken seriously. If you haven't already, make sure you're keeping records of your symptoms and any treatment you pursue. Whether or not you end up pursuing a claim, getting treatment now protects both your health and your options.

Please don't feel silly — I went through almost the exact same thing after my accident two years ago. Physically fine, mentally wrecked. The guilt about "not having it bad enough" was honestly one of the hardest parts. I did end up trying EMDR with a therapist who specialized in it and it took maybe 6 or 7 sessions before I noticed real shifts. The eye-movement thing does feel weird at first but I stopped overthinking it and just let the process happen. It helped me more than regular talk therapy did, personally.

One thing worth knowing: if there's any open insurance claim related to your accident, be careful about what you say to adjusters regarding your mental health treatment. They have a way of framing ongoing therapy as evidence that you're "milking it" rather than genuinely struggling. Document everything with your provider and talk to someone who understands your rights before you give any recorded statements.

Ugh, please don't feel embarrassed for asking this. You went through something scary and your brain is trying to protect you — that's not weakness, that's just being human. I'd say if your doctor is already suggesting it, that's a pretty good sign it's worth exploring. You deserve to feel okay again.