Help me!

[Envdizbish]

Recently moved from NYC to Florida and out here you need to drive everywhere but problem is I get anxiety behind the wheel .. how can I manage ? I don’t even wanna go anywhere .

[pigeonperson]

I would start with small trips to get coffee or a treat or to your local grocery store. Keep going to the same places so you become familiar with routes. You may also start noticing some beautiful things about the place you live in. Maybe find a park that you can drive to to unwind. I was an anxious driver as a teen but driving alone has been a great thing for my anxiety because it is quiet and monotonous.

[Aish_]

I learned to drive first in a large parking lot. It is kind of nice to get familiar that way and to practice all of the techniques there. I even learned how to drive in reverse pretty easily and confidently in that large empty parking lot. Wishing you well and knowing you will do great!

[Envdizbish in reply to Aish_]

Definitely gonna try this.. maybe even get a instructor bc my husband seems to get frustrated because he doesn’t understand

[Aish_ in reply to Envdizbish]

The best part about getting an instructor car is that they have a break in the passenger side (before you get an instructor call around and make sure they have that kind of car). So if you make a mistake everything goes okay anyway. I know you will do well regardless but it is nice to have that as a safety net!

[Envdizbish in reply to Aish_]

That’s exactly why I was thinking of getting an instructor .. my husband says that I drive fine .. but these people out here drive like assholes and like to ride your ass.. or pass you on the side..

[Aish_ in reply to Envdizbish]

Hah I think the 'art of driving' is to not take bad drivers personally. Like if you get to the point where those bad drivers don't bother you anymore , then you are a pro!

[Envdizbish in reply to Aish_]

Omg I can’t wait to get there then because they the ones who give me the high Anxiety

[dmt1121]

You have a several choices. You can work with a therapist to overcome your phobia about driving. You can choose to go only where the bus routes take you. You can try riding a bike. Your can take Uber everywhere or you can take a serious look at what made you decide to move to Florida. There are so many places that have good mass transit but maybe there are other tradeoffs.

You moved there for a reason. I think you need to find out why and decide if that reason is good enough. Good luck.

[GmanPA]

Sounds like me. I have GAD, panic and agoraphobia. I take lexapro and a low dose of klonopin for it. I’m not a doctor, but I definitely know how you feel. It’s tough, but you’ll get through it. Moving somewhere new is hard, especially with covid. I highly recommend you go see a psychiatrist asap. It will get better. Promise

[Envdizbish]

I was thinking about going to one but my husband thinks I’m overreacting .. I was never Diagnosed with anything but I know I definitely have it because I grew up with my mom having severe Anxiety and panic attacks.. and since she was such a worry wart I wasn’t allowed to do much so I grew up afraid to do a lot of things because fearing I would get hurt.. thank god my kids are carefree and free spirited people and not a scaredy cat like their mama ..