Driving Anxiety

[AlbinoAnemone65]

Hi guys, I have been struggling with driving anxiety for a couple of years now, with it seeming to be at an all-time low for me. My girlfriend lives 3 hours away from college and I want to be able to go and visit her but I am already dreading that drive. I have done it before and have always been able to make it, but it always still feels like this will be the time that I can't as if I have just gotten lucky that I made it before. I have a strong feeling of being alone when I drive which makes it worse and almost feels impossible for me. I want to do this drive in a month to go see her but am already worrying about it. Does anyone have any tips to help me with this because I can't seem to find something that helps ease the pressure?

[BlueSky125]

What would cause you not to be able to make it. Do you get panic attacks? Would you worry so much ahead of time that you wouldn't even go at all. Are there are any triggers for you like driving in heavy traffic or a certain time of day.

[AlbinoAnemone65 in reply to BlueSky125]

The second I get into the car I feel very out of my body and out of control like I don't have total control of myself. I don't know if this is something that is this severe, or if I am not giving myself enough credit to deal with it. I will be sick to my stomach while driving, enough to where I have thrown up before from nerves, with getting lightheaded at various times. Driving in heavy traffic doesn't seem to stress me out because I am able to go very slow which makes me feel more in control and if I did for some reason lose control the results wouldn't be severe.

[TangledUpIn in reply to AlbinoAnemone65]

Curiously it's always helped me on a drive if my car is clean and it smells soothingly fresh.😙

[AlbinoAnemone65 in reply to TangledUpIn]

haha my car is always spotless, im guessing because of my ocd

[TangledUpIn in reply to AlbinoAnemone65]

👍