Facing your fears

[warkie]

So yesterday I faced my biggest fear " driving on the motorway" My first ever panic attack was on the motorway and haven't been on one since but I had to no choice not to,I took a friend with me but I can't believe I still did it. Today I don't too clever but just know it's just anxiety playing up and I will be ok soon. I have a fantastic life with a gorgeous daughter and fantastic family and friends around me and that's what gets me through this . Hope everyone's having a good day😊

[Agora1]

Thanks for sharing a success story warkie> We need to hear that it can be done when we face our fears. If not, we stay in that pattern of being stuck as life passes us by. It's all about having that confidence in yourself that you can and will succeed. Keep going forward as it will get easier each time you succeed. Have a great day xx

[warkie in reply to Agora1]

It took me 3 attempts to get onto the motorway then the symptoms kicked it but I got over them and felt so good,my next task is to do it on my own xx

[Agora1 in reply to warkie]

I was just going to say that warkie....I started out by dialing my therapist, putting the phone in the passenger seat (really and then letting her know when I got to her parking lot.

From there I thought of buying one of those big stuffed dolls that look like a person to sit in the passenger seat, but then I decided to just do it alone while using deep breathing as my companion and that worked xx

Good Luck, I know you can do it.

[Mariapalmer]

Woohooo, welldone ! So nice to see people managing to face things! Be proud xx

[Jeff1943]

Award yourself a large bar of chocolate, warkie, you accepted that you would feel uncomfortable driving on the motorway BUT YOU DID IT ANYWAY! So now you know, because you've proved it, whatever else your anxiety makes you feel uncomfortable with DO IT ANYWAY! We should never stop doing things because we feel uncomfortable doing them, we should follow your example and do it anyway!

[Agora1 in reply to Jeff1943]

Jeff1943, I like your reward of a large bar of Chocolate. It works for me

[warkie in reply to Jeff1943]

It's a little thing to people that don't suffer from anxiety but a big thing to me and so proud of myself xx

[Agora1 in reply to warkie]

Gee warkie, I was just going to suggest the chocolate bar like Jeff said

[warkie in reply to Agora1]

I might celebrate this weekend with alcohol😊xx

[Agora1 in reply to warkie]

Whatever works x

[warkie in reply to Agora1]

Alcohol use to be awful with my anxiety but if now if I have a couple it calms me down xx

[Agora1 in reply to warkie]

Just be careful if you are on meds. We want you safe. xx

[warkie in reply to Agora1]

Im not on any medication xx

[jessiejakes in reply to warkie]

Well done I expect you are feeling a bit uptight now though ? We had really heavy snow then ice roads were scary to drive on .but of to work I went but after few days of traveling on icy roads has taken its toll.been feeling quite anxious and tense past few days.but I know its anxiety /tension and will calm down in few days its because I really pushed myself this past 4 days.

[warkie in reply to jessiejakes]

I don't enjoy driving anymore now which is sad because I use to love it. Everytime I get in my car the symptoms kick in,the more I drive tho hopefully I will stop getting them xx

[DeeM3 in reply to warkie]

I hear ya! I use to drive 10,12 hr drives solo now I’m fearful of I don’t know what in my own area. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[warkie in reply to DeeM3]

I always ftightened something is going to happen to me while I'm driving xx

[jessiejakes in reply to warkie]

Hi warkie maybe set yourself little goals ie go for a little drive a mile then go home.then next day 2 miles .that way you are gradually building up your confidence until you lose your fear.where do you live England or america ? I'm in England.

[jessiejakes in reply to warkie]

Hi walkie you are right the more you drive the easier it will get ,did you have a bad panic in your car ? Is this why you don't like driving ? Years ago I had agrophobia and had treatment for it.I had to go out for a little walk each day increasing the distance each day.my therapist said I have to expose myself to my fear each day until I lose my fear of going out.it worked it wasn't easy.my legs were like jelly but each day I did it slowly went 20 yards then 30 then built it up.now years later I still remember that therapist's words to lose your fear you must face it.

[Hidden]

Good to hear you are braving your fears, whats the worst that can happen?

well done! keep it up.

[Speechpat]

Proud of you. Driving is hard for me too.

[warkie in reply to Speechpat]

Its so hard,but I need to face my fear and carry on driving,I didn't drive for almost a year,wasn't fair on my daughter so had to do it xx

[Speechpat]

Never give up. If today is a bad one there is always tomorrow and that’s something to look forward to.

[warkie in reply to Speechpat]

I hate driving alone and I have to do it tomorrow,need to stop getting worked up about it xx

[Speechpat in reply to warkie]

Do you ever get books on tape? That’s what helps me. I can go short distances but haven’t had the courage to drive far.

[warkie in reply to Speechpat]

No,where can I get them from? X

[Speechpat in reply to warkie]

The library. It really does help unless you get a scary book 😊lol. I think the reason I have trouble is I don’t have any one to “rescue “ me. I fear the interstate and all the trucks. I’m an excellent backseat driver. 😬

[jessiejakes in reply to warkie]

I put the radio on when I'm driving just on low and sing along to the songs,it helps me to relax.

[Francesca61]

Hi I was just going to suggest audio books and I get them from the local library! It helps me drive with less anxiety and I hope that it will do the same for you! Driving in lots of standstill traffic or the highway is still hard for me though. The idea of being stuck there or even getting lost is unfathomable. Didn't used to have this annoying problem but I read we like to have certainty in our lives which is impossible isn't it?!😉