The dreaded drive

[warkie]

The most time I feel crap is when I have to do long distances in a car and I have to drive with work on Monday,it's around a 30 minute drive,any tips so I don't get the dreaded symptoms?

[Hidden]

Music!!

[warkie in reply to Hidden]

Yeah that works for so long,everytime I get in the car anxiety comes straight into my head,I used to love driving now I hate it x

[Hidden in reply to warkie]

Is there a reason??

[warkie in reply to Hidden]

I had my second ever panic attack on a motoway,I was in the fast lane and couldn't get over to the hard shoulder,it was awful,since then I panic,especially motorways x

[Agora1]

Hi warkie, we all have ways of coping with anxiety when out. On the good days, I listen to music while driving but on those worrisome days, I pop in a Relaxation tape and listen to the calming words and suggestions on deep breathing. Just be careful it is not a hypnosis tape or one that would make you sleepy. I find it calming which makes the drive easier. Hope you find something that works for you.

[warkie in reply to Agora1]

Thank you,I have got better tho,at 1 point I wouldn't even get in my car x

[Agora1 in reply to warkie]

Me too warkie. Five years of agoraphobia, I knew I needed a way to get back to driving. Wish you well x

[warkie in reply to Agora1]

Are you ok driving now? X

[Agora1 in reply to warkie]

Very good.

[Jowness]

Good mood music! No metal, that just makes anxiety worse and then it's other drivers beware!

[Spkleandshine]

I started to panic during a drive and what helped was me "self talking"during the episode. I simply mentally observed my symptoms and comforted myself through them. Monitoring the symptoms and self reassuring during the experience for me helped control the situation so I could calm down and reach my destination.