Everyday Travel

[Brashton2802]

I have been struggling for 25 years with everyday travel due to anxiety. I sometimes cannot drive down roads that everyone else sees as basic travel routes. It has made my life very small. I need to start getting out of my comfort zone to live life. I have recently been given an ultimatum by my wife to get help or she was going to move on. I am not upset with her, I have known it was coming. Does anyone have these issues. If so, how have you worked through them. Please help.

[Agora1]

Hi Brashton2802 and Welcome to a very caring and supportive community.

I too am very outgoing and yet was terrified to leave my comfort zone at one time.

So much so that I spent 5 years of my life as an Agoraphobic never leaving my home.

With intense therapy and minimal benzo use, I got out of what I thought was my

safety zone and into the real world.

Realizing that popping a benzo once a day was but a band aid for me and not solving

the deeper problem within me.

My go to was YouTube. I thoroughly listened to and practiced what I had heard and

learned from some of the videos of qualified professionals.

For me it was turning anxiety inside out. Learning what it consisted of and how to

address it. I started getting into Meditation and Breathing exercises. I found that

meditation put me in a better place emotionally and physically each day. But it was

Breathing that was the "key" for me in turning down the volume on my external fear

when driving. After all, what good was this knowledge and outgoingness if I had to

stay in my own little protective world?

Breathing properly controlled the adrenaline which lowered my fears when attempting

to reach out to farther places on the map. I found it extremely helpful when railroaded

at a crossing gate which seemed to have no end to the line of cars and feeling trapped.

Breathing in slowly in order to oxygenate the organs, holding for a few seconds and then

exhaling long and slow can be felt as a release from built up adrenaline. Ahhh

When we are in fear my friend, our breathing gets disrupted and we either hold our

breath or breathe too fast.

Something so simply as a breath can reverse the fear. Works fast with practice, is free

and safe.

The world is out there waiting for you. You have nothing to lose but everything to gain

in giving it a try. Practice practice practice at home and then venturing out a little

further each time. And remember, don't do this for anyone but yourself. No pressure,

you deserve living and not just existing. xx

[worthytobeloved in reply to Agora1]

Thank you for your advice! It has helped me too. Congratulations on the hard work and courage you have had to get where you are!

[Brashton2802 in reply to Agora1]

There are actually tears in my eyes as I write this. Thank you so much for providing some light in my dark world right now. Breathing has helped and I need to continue working. I am doing daily challenges to open my world up. It has only been two days, but my confidence in increasing. I am realizing that I need to work at this as hard as I have ever worked for anything. My marriage, family, and most importantly my self worth rely on it.

Do you have any specific Youtube stuff that you have watched that was helpful. I am just looking to get started with that type of aspect.

[boojiboo]

Maybe search for ppl who drive ppl who have a hard time for the example above they prob have something

[jadeite11]

Hi Brashton, have you ever tried hypnosis. It basicly reprograms the brain to become less anxious. I've used it and is really good. There's a website by Glen harold where you can pay for and download these recordings, which I ve used becase he has such a lovely calming voice, but there are many places you can get it in person now too. I wish you well..