I had a very bad car accident on December 1st 2007. Me and three of my best friends were involved. It was a bad accident and I almost nearly lost my sight. My bestest friend broke her pelvis bone in 3 places and can't have kids anymore. My other friend got the tip of her finger cut off and a board threw her leg. My friend who wasn't badly injured broke her wrist.

Every time I talk or think about it I start to cry. How can I be strong for my friends and not be so sad?

But you survived!

That should be enough comfort if not some.

You still cry because it was a very tramatic event, just like somebody dying. Once something like that happens in our lives it sticks to us. Why? Maybe because accidents rarely happen for you or your friends.

I believe that talking about our problems and fears makes us stronger. I also like to occupy myself with recreational activities or something I really enjoy.

I thank the lord that you survived.

I thank the lord that I survived also. It was a tough time for me and it is embarrassing to cry in front of people. My neighbor came by yesterday and said, he was at the site and I just broke down. I can't handle it and Its harder for my friends when they see me cry because I am such a strong person. Thanks for your response and I am sorry for anything that happened in the other question room.

You know what, you cry whenever you damn well please! Crying isn't such a bad thing. It helps people release their inner emotions that have been dying to get out. There is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Sometimes, traumatic experiences bring up painful memories and fear. I suggest you talk to a counselor or a therapist about this, and get this sorted out. Of course, it's perfectly OK to cry and let your emotions out, but I feel that a therapist or a counselor could help you sort it out better.

You could possibly have post traumatic syndrome which happens after you are in an accident. This is quite common if you are still being emotionally upset about this accident.

The accident happened less than five months ago. A major trauma like that takes at least a year to get used to (notice I didn't say get over). Pace yourself, cry when you need to, get some counseling. You probably do have PTSD. If by "being strong" you mean not crying, you have a mistaken idea of what strength is. Be gentle with yourself.

Thanks to all of you. I am trying to get over this and be strong for my friends. I thought all of us where very strong. However when I see my best friends laying there in my mind I just cry. I hate when people mention it cause I cry. I hate to let them see it but I have to cry. Now they are all over it. My sight is back, my friend can walk and the others are doing well to. They all are okay about it. They laugh and talk about it, but I cry!

You have had a traumatic experience and need time to adjust. Crying is the natural process of adjusting. It’s apart of the grieving process you must go through. You don’t need to be strong for your friends, you need to cry. Your friends may need exactly the same thing. We live in a society where we are pushed to take medication for everything, aches, pains, and depression. Depression (not speaking about clinical depression) is a natural response to what has happen to you.
Maybe you and your friends could talk more about it and cry together. Help each other.
One day you won’t have the need to cry anymore. That is when you are completely ready to move on. Don’t worry about being strong – what does that mean anyway, emotionless?
Good luck.

Every person handles a traumatic event differently. Some people can move on as if nothing has happened, others suffer emotional pain for long times even life. You are a survivor. You and your friends are very lucky. You all have a bond in that fact. You will be OK. It will just take some time for you to get through the hurt and shock. You may try a little counseling also. It works.