Quote Originally Posted by nuthatch
Very, very brave and you did the right thing riding on. It's the only way to get over this. I'll bet Emily will have some encouragement for you, too. When I get this way it makes me feel so bewildered - my head is telling me it's okay, you can do this and my body is doing whatever it wants (panic, panic, panic!!!)
Yeah, BB, I'm working through some of this myself as I get back to riding. I did the hyperventilation thing on my first ride after my accident, but since then I've been mostly okay...occasionally a bit of fear will well up, particularly if someone in front of me on a group ride starts slowing or stopping without announcing it and I have to brake; it reminds me too much of slamming into my DH's bike that fateful day.

I think it's really natural for fears to crop up after an accident, but time will help, and the more you ride without another accident, the more your confidence will improve. I even rode by myself on Monday - just a little 18 mile round tripper down roads I'd never encountered any dogs on - but it was a big step as I wasn't sure if I'd ever do that again. And this week on a women's ride I do on Wednesday nights, two dogs came out on the road, which never happens on this route, but I was going slowly both times (near stop signs), assessed the situation, decided they were of the harmless ("just looking") variety and did not panic, somehow!

Good luck to you and hope the panic attacks will not last for long. If you have to ride without drafting/pacelining for awhile to deal with them, then so be it - don't feel pressured to do anything that's uncomfortable for you. Proceed at your own pace, and remember to BREATHE, long and deep, as you ride - stomach breathing. It will help you relax and stay in the moment.

Good luck!
Emily