Help

[Seanie67]

Hi all I'm new here, for the past few years I've had a problem with driving on motorways (always get anxious and start to panic) the anxiety has now progressed to not being able to leave the house without becoming extremely anxious. I personally think I have hit a covid 19 brick wall, I am so so paranoid about it to the point where it is on my mind 24 hours a day. My doctor recently put me on sertraline but whilst this is supposed to help he also scared me to death with the health warnings about side effects that it may cause. I am now at my lowest point and no idea where to turn next, does or have anyone else experienced this? Thanks

[Hidden]

Seanie67 -

Yeah I have bad agoraphobia due to panic attacks. I am going to try really hard to ride my bike once a week to the grocery store.

I think I can do this and am going to succeed. Exercise has got to be a good thing in many ways. And I want some Ice Cream.

We all have to have our Priorities!!!

I'll update if I am successful at going OUTSIDE !!!

Chris

[Seanie67 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Chris thanks for reply, good luck in your endeavours for the ice cream! I cheat at the moment I get mine delivered 😊

[Hidden in reply to Seanie67]

Yummy !!!

[Anna_and_Ollie]

Hey! I don’t suffer from this exact problem but I think you should try the medication. If it’s not for you then you can always stop it after consulting your doctor. Just don’t stop taking them randomly because that might make you feel even worse for a little while

[Hidden]

If you are worried regards Motorway Driving would going to a Driving School and getting some instruction on Motorway Driving. It would be a course of several sessions and it would help you move on in a more positive way. Sometimes they will take you out in your own car.

Many of these modern cars read the roads for you some have sensors in the front and rear of the car and the wing mirrors also have sensor in the wing mirrors to tell you when cars are overtaking you. There are sensors that tell the driver He is getting to close and many others reverse into car parks Bays on their own. You do not need to remember to switch your headlights on and adjust themselves to road type and lighting. That sort of car and some confidence building should also help

Had something happened to cause lack of confidence when going out, you need to see your GP and explain what is wrong

How long have you been driving ??

BOB

[Seanie67 in reply to Hidden]

Bob I've been driving 30 years and pretty much had that particular problem about 10 of them! Nothings happened to trigger this. I was hypnotised about 5 years ago and it worked for a short while but its now returned, and to the point of I can't drive a car down any road now or be a passenger! Ive been to GP anxiety and panic attacks and depression were the answer apparently, anti depressants prescribed! Only been on them a week so too early to tell

[Hidden in reply to Seanie67]

It will need about five weeks for your medications to work.

It is not unusual for drivers to become anxious or to show anxiety when driving. The problem is as in your case a general fear that gets worse and worse.

I had a serious accident in 1975 where I collided into a sandstone wall I still have problems in areas were I damaged at that time. I suffered the same aversion and and after six months I managed to get back to driving, not before I was taken out in My Fathers car in the passenger seat. I would imagine I was driving and would act out I was driving and operating the pedals, brakes and clutch etc as my Father drove the car, very unsettling.

The car was a right off, so I needed a new car and that in part got me back to driving.

You need to gain back your confidence and a Driving Instructor should be able to help you become more a peace with what is now a essential craft, driving. I have been driving over fifty years now and the use of a car would be a disaster as I am disabled.

My car is heavily adapted to help me feel more confident and if that what it takes it is something you should consider. There is no danger of loosing your Driving License taking further instruction, it is however important you get back at the wheel, the longer you wait the worse your problem will get

Did someone, family member or friend instigate this fear ??

BOB