Driving Anxiety

[stovall1992]

The last two times I drove, I had a anxiety/panic attack. That was in October, and haven’t driven since. Even when I ride in the passenger seat, I have anxiety. I really want to start driving again, but i’m afraid to get back out on the road. Any suggestions on how to overcome this fear and also, how control anxiety while driving?

[rannochuk]

I had a few attacks driving alone on the same road at 2am in a remote part of Scotland. It was a 100 mile drive. I had to pull over and get out the car for air. The reason I was travelling so late was to avoid other road users and any possible hold ups. I gave up driving for a month.

I overcame my issues by taking small journeys in the evening and building up to longer drives during the day. My fear was having an attack on that road every time and the anxiety made it happen.

[stovall1992 in reply to rannochuk]

Thank you for your response. I was going to try and start small, like drive around my neighbor, and work my way up. The fear of having a attack while driving is definitely what keeps me from driving. Just thinking about getting into a car to go to the store terrifies me.

[Indigojoe in reply to stovall1992]

Man this one has sidelined me from traveling for years.

While in college I traveled around Europe without a care in the world.

Something frightened me and I could not do escalators in large malls, first, then came, the other "modes" of travel ( escalators being a mode of travel actually) .

I can drive myself all around my immediate area without a thought about it, however if someone says they will pick me up, I will not do it.

If any of you figure this one out , please let me know.......

Itt's boring being THIS landlocked

[stovall1992 in reply to Indigojoe]

It’s awful feeling like this. I use to drive everywhere, without a care in the world. and now, i can barely go outside. I really miss visiting my friends. i just want really want to drive or at sit in the passenger seat without feeling overwhelmed.

[Willie123 in reply to stovall1992]

Same here...its frustrating. Takes persistent exposure to get over it. Drive short distances...go farther and longer daily. Dont beat yoursel up if you have a bad day. I am goung through this now as well AND have recovered from it before. Where an hour each way to work never phased me

[rannochuk in reply to stovall1992]

Try being a passenger for a while or ask somebody to be a passenger when you drive.

The tips from this site helped me overall.

nomorepanic.co.uk/articles/...

[stovall1992 in reply to rannochuk]

Yea i have been a passenger ever since my last anxiety attack, but even when i’m in the passenger seat, I still get anxiety. i could barely keep my eyes open because I feeling kinda dizzy and overwhelmed. Now, I don’t even want to ride along with my mom or friends. I feel like i need to get over that first before i start driving

[Indigojoe in reply to rannochuk]

this one creeps me out a bit too.................scheesch

[pink83737]

I’m going through the same thing!

[stovall1992 in reply to pink83737]

It’s so awful. How have you been handling it?

[Cat33]

I think you are right to start with little journeys and work up to longer ones

The DARE response book by Barry McDonagh has great advice about driving anxiety

Baby steps and you will get there

All the very best and remember it's fear and the" what if " voice that is keeping the anxiety alive

Good luck

[stovall1992 in reply to Cat33]

Yea, baby steps is definitely a must.

[Cat33 in reply to stovall1992]

I was like you after not being allowed to drive after an operation So when I go the all clear to drive again I just did little trips and built up and my confidence soon came back

You can do it xx

[Lin1944]

Trouble is in the U.K. because of shortage of traffic cops the driving has become horrendous. Speeding, jumping red lights and no one around to stop it. It puts people off driving especially me as I am 74. I only drive locally now as don’t want to lose my independence. Short journeys till you get confidence back but please don’t give driving up.

[stovall1992 in reply to Lin1944]

I don’t want to give up driving. I really miss driving, so i’m going to start small, so i can get back into it

[art62grammie]

My sister had fear of driving over-passes. I encouraged her and she overcame her fear. She held a copper penny in one hand while rubbing it. She drove with the other hand. She focused on traffic and the penny. Her fear went away.

[stovall1992 in reply to art62grammie]

oh nice. I’ll try anything.

[stovall1992]

I didn’t go driving today, but I made some baby steps. My friend came over to visit, and she strongly encouraged me to go outside and get some fresh air. After I protested for about 10 minutes, I finally gave up and went outside. she said we can stay outside for 5 minutes, but we stayed out there for 20 minutes. it felt good to get some fresh air and get out of the house. i’m going to do this everyday, and slowly but surely, i’ll get back to how I eas