Driving phobia

Hi everyone,

I've struggled with anxiety my entire life and one of my biggest fears has always been driving. I put off getting my license until my family forced me to at age 20. I was always embarrassed when I'd have to ask my friends for rides and felt guilty that theyd use their gas and have to go out of their way for me.

After getting my license I was still scared to drive but tried to push through it so that i could visit my friends. But last March I was in a bad car accident. I was feeling so much anxiety in the car that day and I turned in front of a car coming 50 mph at me. Thank goodness no one was seriously hurt but the terror and guilt I felt still stick with me.

I've barely driven since then. I take college classes online now because my campus is across town and I'm terrified of driving there. I barely see my friends now unless they come to me and again I feel so bad about that. I live at least a half hour away from them so I'm becoming more and more lonely. I want to be a normal 21 year old who can drive to school and work and their friends houses but I get bad flashbacks and am so scared.

Is there anyone else dealing with Driving phobia? I've seen a therapist who's helped me a lot and am taking Celexa but I feel like I'll never be comfortable driving.

[ciley]

i don't know your situation, but millions of people have never driven, i would'nt touch it with a barge -pole, this also means i've never hurt anyone thro' it, just the other side !

[ciley]

bike/little scooter?scateboard loli am uk where sizable cities have frequent buses tho'

[elodieanne]

YES!!!! I'm almost 20 and I feel like I miss out on so much because of my anxiety about driving. How are things going for you now?