Aniexty after very minor car incident

[SunnySide1992]

Hello everyone. I feel very silly worrying about this
The other day in a car park (badly designed car park, alot of people have said it!) Me and another driver reversed into each other. It was 50/50 fault

Both cars with minor damage , all cosmetic (eg. Scratch and dent)

My daughter was in the back and she is absolutely fine, she said didn't even noticed what happened! Which surprises me as it was a big bang!

I can't get over it. I feel like I've let her down as a mum. I feel scared to drive even tho I have been driving for years and this is the first incident I have had. Everyone keeps reassuring me she is fine and she has a very good car seat!

But why do I feel like it was the end of the world? Like it was much more worse than it was?

Is this just what aniexty is? Please help, I just want to forget about it and move on. Please tell me I'm being silly and this sort of thing happens in car parks all the time.

Thanks for listening

Anxiety is extremely normal after a driving accident, especially if you are any kind of decent person. But you’re human and you made a mistake. Luckily no one was hurt. You’ll be more careful next time. It may take some time, but forgive yourself. It sounds as though your daughter already has.

You’re not being silly. This is your brain and body’s way of dealing with shock and trying to keep you safe for next time. It will pass in time, in the meantime keep getting out there and practice bay parks / reverses, particularly looking all around before you move. So many people reverse then look. Look first and keep looking! Don’t be too hard on yourself, these things happen and just take it as a lesson learned. That’s what the anxiety is trying to tell you - it’s a good thing even if it doesn’t feel like it.

Thankyou so much! Each day I'm feeling better. I've been driving for years and never have had this happen!

I had a similar reaction after something small, and it totally threw me. Talking to someone helped loads—I called a support line one evening when I couldn't stop overthinking. If you're feeling stuck in that anxious loop, reaching out might really help. You could try mentalhealthhotline.org—they’re easy to talk to and don’t rush you. Sometimes just saying stuff out loud makes it feel a bit less heavy.

Useful if the OP lives in the States. Anywhere else, not so much.