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Hi, I'm new to this Site and although I am managing my General Anxieties, I still haven't managed to overcome the Fear of Driving a Car. I had a Car Accident 6 months ago which led to my full on 'Panic Attacks' which felt like I was Dying. It effected me so badly, that at one stage I couldn't even get into a Car! Can't go on Motorways and just overcome the Fear of dual Carriageways with someone else driving.
Has anyone got any tips on how to start driving again without the Pain and Fear of Dying?:wacko:
Sunflower2
23-05-14, 22:34
Keep on driving despite having panic attacks, don't avoid it at all (I did that and made it 10 times worse!!) and just push through it and you'll come out the other end! Once you realise the feeling of dying passes while you're driving and you continue through it, you gain back a sense of control and then confidence.. Good luck!
Worried 24/7
24-05-14, 01:21
I was in a roll over accident 5 years ago and at first I pretty much hyperventilated anytime I was I'm a car, especially on the freeway or in the rain. But keep at it and at some point you'll get back to normal. definitely don't avoid it. That will make it even harder to get back to not being fearful
StrayWookie
24-05-14, 13:06
I went down the avoidance route. Wrong I know. But I kept having worse and worse panic attacks while driving and started jumping the curb to pull over as well as taking off from sets of traffic lights against the red because if I sat there one more second I was sure I would drop dead. It really sucks because I am a car guy. I built them, worked on them in my garage, talked them, went to shows, and just driving was my absolute pleasure. The last time I drove I actually ended up trying to lay down across the seat while trying to steer and that was just driving down the end of my own street. But yeah, the anxiety is already built up before I even get into a car, even as a passenger. It is not associated with driving at all, just in the way we feel like we are not in control of Ourselves, let alone control of the car.
After my Car Panic Attacks trying to drive the Car on the Motorway which then extended into driving anywhere including my Street, it took me ages to get into a Car again with someone else driving, I had to close my eyes, put my hands over my ears and count to 100 and back until I arrived at the destination. It was awful. I still got all the symptoms of the Panic Attack. Then one day, the Car stopped moving and I opened my eyes and I was stuck in a traffic jam and I kept my eyes open and started chatting away not realizing I was moving again and bravely kept my eyes open and the symptoms seemed to disappear. I can now keep my eyes open and not recite numbers/figures constantly, but the Fear of driving a Car myself is another thing. I can't drive a Car with my eyes shut and don't want to have another Accident. I feel like my independence has been taken away from me. I couldn't even get to the Hospital when my Father was dying in Hospital, which has now left me with terrible guilt. And when I had to get a Cab to London to get the death certificate, I cried like a Baby. I had to go, there was no-one else, but the Driver took the Route away from the Motorway and I nagged him silly with small talk all the way there and all the way back. Its a Nightmare that I don't understand?:weep:
Cheesemonster13
26-05-14, 18:07
Have you thought about taking driving lessons again? There are some organisations that specialise in helping nervous drivers, so they should be able to help you.
What a brilliant idea, thank you sooo much!!:)
Just wanted to brag. I have driven the Car in to Town and parked it up perfectly. No Anxiety symptoms at all. And, I had obstacles to deal with. Two people decided to run out in the road, but I was ok and handled it. Things are looking up for me. Admittedly, I was not on my own, but I am just going to take things one step at a time and this is definitely one hurdle I have jumped.:)
You parked it perfectly, now that IS bragging!! Lol
You go girl! :)
Sunflower2
09-07-14, 21:13
Woohooo! Parking perfectly is not easy in town at the best of times! :D onwards and upwards from here!
Well, maybe it wasn't perfect. But, I did get the car inside the lines.:)
Progress???
I was in a situation where I had to drive the car today. Well, I didn't have to, but it made a difficult situation easier.
Very shaky, coughing and choking, I drove the car on my own, in a busy Town and parked it in a car-park.
Wow! I did it. Got out of the Car, no Panic Attack and felt quite normal. Waited a while afterwards for a delayed reaction, and nothing.
Can't tell you how pleased I was. I did feel a little strange and was talking my way through what I was doing and reassuring myself that I was going to be ok, but this is a major breakthrough for me.
You don't forget how to drive, it's just the nervousness and panic that we fear.:D
Sunflower2
12-08-14, 19:15
Carnation I'm so proud of you!!
Thank you Kimberley.
This is the first time I have driven and been in the Car by myself for nearly 6 months! Not ready for everyday driving yet, but at least I know I can do it if shove comes to push. Had a strange feeling that everyone was looking at me strangely, but I didn't care, I stayed focused and went for it.:)
Sunflower2
12-08-14, 19:26
When I first started driving regularly into town further, I was so nervous of being in the way of other cars. Having a car behind me was enough to send me into panic mode. Still not perfect but it's workable now! And a lot of it is definitely confidence. Soon you will feel ready to take another little step because you'll think, yeah! I CAN do this!
JoeGomez17
13-08-14, 00:15
I had, and have, bad health anxiety. I was terrified of driving for a while, because thats where my first panic attack and hyperventilation happened. I got over it through 'exposure', first small repeatable drives, then longer and longer. Finally had a 2.5-3hr drive each direction that I didn't panic on.
View the small drives as victories. You will get better.
That's where I had my first severe Panic Attack as well. That's why it is so difficult for me. It's not only the driving, it's going on Motorways as well.
I kept trying to do journeys, but it made me so bad I couldn't even function normally.
You are right about the small journeys. At the time, I didn't know they were Panic Attacks, I just thought I was dying. I got so bad with the fear, I couldn't even get in to a Car and had to travel blind-folded for ages and then I just built it up. (obviously someone else was driving at the time).
I am going on Holiday soon and it is a 3 hour journey. I am absolutely dreading it!:scared15:
JoeGomez17
13-08-14, 00:32
Don't worry. I dreaded mine too.
One trick that helped me, was accepting that I might have a panic attack or hyperventilation attack, and to really believe that it won't hurt me.
So now when I drive, I do so knowing that if I have one of my attacks I pull over, get some air, and keep going.
I know your case is more severe than mine, but hopefully you can get to that point too!
Drove the Car for a whole 20 minutes through a busy Town and the rush hour! I did have someone with me, but, this is huge for me. I have only managed a few minutes in a safe zone area. My driving was relaxed and I had no symptoms at all. I did feel extremely tired afterwards, but I did it, so I can do it again. :yesyes:
Driving was an issue for me for a long while as the result of an accident hit by a drunk driver my car was written off I won't go into other details as it's upsetting but that was the start for me once I recovered. I do drive lots nowadays but saying that for the first time in a very long time I had a panic attack the other week an off all the places while driving it was awful I forgot how bad it feels anxiety an panic attacks as it has been so long. I put it down to stress an upset at the time an it stuff comes put one way or another but it has make me feel a bit consious lately of stuff x
Just an update on the 'Driving'. I did have three little drives the other day and I have to say I feel a lot more comfortable with it. I did have someone with me and have yet to master this feeling of driving on my own. I am not going to give up on this, even if it takes me years. It's not the Driving part of the Car I have an issue with, it's the fear of a crash, so I don't know how I am going to get that one out of my head? :shrug:
First drive on my own today. It wasn't planned and it was more of a case of having to. I Was very nervous and talked myself into getting to my destination, but I did it. 4 miles in total and I didn't feel great, but I didn't feel awful. Just really, really nervous. No Panic Attack, just a few symptoms, but I dealt with it. So, I think I am pleased? :shrug:
:weep:I am now suffering for the Drive I did today. Leg rushes, hot sweats and panicking. Trying to ignore them, but is this driving really worth the suffering you go through?
Sunflower2
24-10-14, 07:31
YES. Without that, your anxiety will latch on to something else in your life and make that difficult. No matter how awful it is, we cannot let it win. When I'm feeling like I just want to give up driving, think of what it will be like if you don't drive.. Just stuck relying on other people, always having an undying fear of it about what if you had to drive sometime. Push through it Carnation!
Now that I've gotten a little better with driving I'm starting to enjoy it again. But for months the things that got me through my struggle with it are:
-split the journey into small sections. Here to here, there to there. I split my journey into town into 4 five minute sections.
-pick times when you are most relaxed.
-try different times of day and weather.
-push yourself and then the normal driving will feel fine!
On Tuesday, when there was the left over of the hurricane up here, I drove home from uni in TORRENTIAL rain. My window wipers were on full blast, my car was rocking about all over the place and I felt empowered because I knew I was in control. It reminded me of driving in the snow as well. I was actually a lot more calm then than when the rain went off and the sun came out!
I do still get panic attacks driving, I still get a racing heart rate and hot and dizzy, but I would have that over being stuck at home! Come on Carnation we can do this :)
downwardspiral
24-10-14, 15:42
I also get panic attacks when driving, I have put it off so often, avoiding to use the car, but lately I make a big effort and go for short drives, even if it's just to the supermarket, at least it's got me behind the wheel. But I know how it feels, it is terrible. I am still terrified of the motorway and long journeys. I never wander out too far!
They are really good driving tips Kimberley, I will try and put them in to action.
I can't believe how it has upset my Body. I am twitching like crazy today and said to my Partner that I am so fed-up with it all. (I won't say the other thing I said, but you can imagine). I even managed to lose a pound in weight yesterday from the driving. So, maybe the weight loss is more about the driving with you than the eating???
I di go out in the Car under very stressed circumstances and probably took on too much too soon. It's now put me off because of the terrible side affects caused by the driving. I wanted to get adjusted to the car with someone with me first, but I think I jumped the gun. And, I feel exhausted. It's like I have just done a ten mile run. :unsure:
Welcome, Downwardspiral, I think if you can manage the short trips for now, you are doing really well. And, you are right, it is terrifying. You might as well ask me to fly a plane. That's what I compare it to.:shrug:
Pinkypants, you must know how I feel as I too was hit by someone. For the first 3 months I jumped out of my skin at the least little bang. With me, it is also the fear of the Panic Attack or symptoms that frighten me as well as being hit again. Can't even go over 30 miles an hour at the moment. The driving the Car is not a problem as you don't forget how to drive, but there are too many careless drivers on the road and that is what bothers me more. :scared15:
downwardspiral
24-10-14, 19:28
Yes Carnation, totally agree, there are so many stupid and careless drivers on the road, they scare me, I trust no one on the road. Driving involves so many what-ifs.
And thank you for the welcome!
Sunflower2
24-10-14, 21:12
Although it could be possible, I am guilty of purposely restricting what I eat. I lost 2kg in a week and I wasn't even that that anxious. I was just being silly with food! Although, I have noticed that I am a little less anxious today since eating properly! Driving was fine today, I was singing away in the car and didn't have the normal physical feelings! So it is possible!! Keep us updating with your driving, I will too! Might even manage a dual carriageway again next week if I'm feeling brave!!
The driving really took it out of me as I have so many other things stressing me out at the moment, so I am going to put the driving thing on hold for the moment. My legs are still trembling from two days ago. :ohmy:
Sunflower2
28-10-14, 13:56
Just thought I'd give you a bit of hope with the driving. Today I drove to uni and back, I panicked on the way in but got over it much much quicker, then the way home was almost RELAXING!! Never thought that would even be possible!
That's brilliant, but it still doesn't convince me to try at the moment. My legs were convulsing so much after my drive, I thought they were going to explode! :ohmy:
Sunflower2
28-10-14, 19:19
I've had drives where I've gotten in my front door of my house and barely been able to stand I was shaking so much! But that's all the more reason to go out and try again!
I know. I understand what you are saying and I am not normally one to give in. But, sometimes it's hard to fight, it takes soooo much out of you. :unsure:
Sunflower2
28-10-14, 20:41
I know, I understand too. I'm yet to go back out in the dark, I haven't driven past 5pm in almost a year! It's getting darker now though so that day will be soon. Friday after work actually. There's a fine balance between pushing yourself too far, and doing enough to make progress. You've done so well though don't forget that :)
Sunflower2
31-10-14, 16:47
First time driving in the dark this evening in months, eek I'm getting nervous! But it's a good nervous I'm ready for this! Come oooon darkness!
Sunflower2
05-11-14, 17:55
I was really nervous before hand but it was fine! Then today driving home I didn't even think about it :) got a little bit more nervous during the drive but reminded myself that it's ok to be anxious!
I think you are doing really great! I haven't been out in the Car for a while, I must not give up. Did you have any Anxiety Symptoms after or during the drive?
Sunflower2
05-11-14, 19:17
Not really any symptoms. I get the odd dizziness or hot or muscle twitches, but I tell myself to ignore them and do my slow breathing techniques and they go away. And actually my driving an hour to uni and back has been better lately too! I still get nervous beforehand and if that little thought telling me not to go takes hold then I end up not going, but when I'm actually driving it's feeling a bit easier! I even completed a 50 minute drive without a single panic attack!! :D nowhere near cured though as I wouldn't want to go out in the car now, since it's dark and I've just had tea.. But it's a start!
Sunflower2
14-11-14, 17:32
Must remember this for a bad day. Drove home tonight in the pitch dark, pouring rain and wind. Big puddles on the road, bad visibility, scary. Yet it didn't phase me! I even started to wonder about why I wasn't panicking which kind of my me a little more nervous but just got on with it and enjoyed the lack of anxiety!
That's great. It must have felt good.
Sunflower2
18-11-14, 14:41
Yeah it did feel good! Although I've had a bit of a minor relapse. Yesterday on my drive to university, I had the worst panic attack I've had in ages and had to call my mum to calm down. Annoyed me so much as it really shook my confidence! To combat this I pushed onwards and drove at night twice last night. For the first time in months and months! Woohoo, crisis averted!
Deepthinker
18-11-14, 16:48
Way to go, Kimberley! So proud of you for not letting the PA keep you off the road! :yahoo:Blessings!
I admire your perseverance Kimberley. I have got soooo lazy with the driving, but I have had a lot on my plate lately. :ohmy:
Sunflower2
18-11-14, 20:16
Yeah but Carnation I have no choice in the driving.. It's that or fail uni! I missed all but one class last week, and I'm still missing one a week because I can't face driving home in the dark rush hour! So don't feel guilty about not persevering, you've got a lot on and when you need to you know you will drive :)
Drove tonight in the Dark! All of two miles. :)
I'm 24 and I don't have a license and I don't see myself ever getting one, I'm too scared to drive, I hate it, and I have memory issues so that's not good either...
Thanks Aprilmoon. You have no idea how difficult it is for me.
Kristaok, you are still young, I did not start driving until I was 28, so don't give up completely.
Well, had another little drive today; and I mean LITTLE! The good thing about it was I was on my own, all of ten minutes, but I did it. I won't be beat on this, I will keep persevering even if it takes me years!
Sunflower2
02-12-14, 22:38
I drove today too, in the frost and sunrise sun in my eyes! Only 5 minutes down the road but hey, every little bit counts!
Sunflower2
10-12-14, 23:12
Tomorrow I've booked myself a refresher driving lesson... And I'm nervous! I've still been driving about most days but avoiding driving far and on big roads, so going to be a bit of a push. But I've got to get my confidence back up, and this is the only way I can, by lots of practice! Eek wish me luck!
That's a really good idea, I might consider that myself. :)
Well done you! just take you're time google a poem called just for today!
I took the Car out today as it has been weeks since I drove. What with the terrible Christmas with my Mum and everything. But, I didn't want to fall back on this 'Driving', so I went out by myself and to my surprise, I was fine.
I'm beginning to feel a little more relaxed. Admittedly, I did not go far, but I tried not to be too conscious of the driving and it felt more natural.
However, walking around Town, felt worse and I felt very anxious and nervous, but pushed threw it and made it back home. :)
MyNameIsTerry
31-01-15, 05:05
Well done Carnation! :yesyes:
You've been having a blip recently so its not surprising if you feel more anxious doing certain activities but it is important that you notice how you felt about them. You didn't avoid it, you did it and you know it won't harm you next time and thats all part of getting better because avoiding just puts up another barrier that restricts your life further, you kick yourself & get down over it and then need to break through again later which is always a challenge.
The fact the driving was ok just shows that despite having more anxiety recently, you have habituated and pushed beyond it. I find once you do this, its only more extreme anxiety that knocks you back so that you have to conquer these issues again.
I think its important to keep stuff up because otherwise you fall into ruts and you don't realise that things can be deteriorating until you notice a bigger negative shift.
Prevention is always much better once you are recovering.
Were you driving through the snow as well?
Thanks Terry.
No, we have NO SNOW here. I am based in London and we have managed to miss it so far. Are you up North?
Just to reiterate on what you said, I totally agree about the pushing through and facing. The 'Blip' is still there, but I am fighting it. I seem to be more depressed of late too. I Panic about Life in general and I am constantly using the 'What If?' scenario.
I have a feeling of being trapped as well. By the illness and circumstances of Life.
I Panic about never working again and I think I could only work at something that I enjoy, which is never a choice in the real world.
How are you doing now?
MyNameIsTerry
01-02-15, 04:07
I'm in the north to people in London :winks:...I'm in the west midlands.
The snow has all but gone today with having sunshine and some rain. Even when it was snowing it was dissappearing quickly and then getting covered again. Strange weather!
I can relate to all that. To me this is all like a bubble and the more you withdraw, the smaller your bubble gets and then things you did months ago can be challenges again because they are outside of the bubble.
I think about being trapped and not working. My CV is basically destroyed now, I would have to spend years rebuilding it to wipe out my current employment gap and why I left me last job, either that or go contracting but I don't even know if I want that line of work again anyway and contracting in my work means a lot of long hours & travel which just wrecks the life balance again.
I'm doing much better than a week ago. I'm having the odd wobble which seems to be more from tiredness when my sleep pattern sleeps again but I'm just going to keep playing with it to see what happens and break the routines a bit first.
Some good news at last.
Drove the Car, all on my own. Set up at a Car boot, all on my own and then drove back again.
Am I pleased? You bet I am. I have a little of my independence back. :emot-highfive:
Terry, I know what you mean about your CV. I am the same.
I worked so hard building up a great CV, but the moment you have a big gap and you have to start explaining the reasons, it seems to deflate any interview.
Throw the 'Age' thing in to the mix and the illness and that's the final nail in the coffin.
But, it doesn't have to be the end of any career. There are always other things you can turn to, even if on a more relaxed attitude or solely independent, so that you are in control. Not only that, would you really want to go back to the way things were? It may have been one of the reasons that made you ill in the first place.
As I say; "Things happen for a reason" and "Something good always comes out of something bad".
Let's hope that applies in our case. :shrug:
Hi all
Was in a bad rollover accident 6 years ago with my 4 year old daughter in the back of my truck. We were hit by a 72 year old man doing an illegal left turn. I honestly do not know how we were not killed. My roof, above the drivers seat was flattened down to where my chest would be. I had no head injuries, no neck problems, just a scrape on my hand. I, to this day, do not know how I got so lucky. My daughter, in the back, was wearing no shoes. I guess the truck was sliding on her side and her 2 toes on her foot were rubbed raw from sliding on the pavement. The worst time was not knowing if she was still in her seat or thrown out. When we finally stopped I heard her say "daddy, daddy help me" That will always haunt me, and I don't know why. I got her out right away, and holding her, walked up to the other drivers car. I was so mad that I started kicking his door and window until I finally calmed down.
I thought I was going to have trouble getting back into a car again, but I didn't. I amazed myself. Then after I got Parkinson's and before I started medication, I was having a bad time driving. It was hard to go from the gas pedal to brake. After almost causing two accidents in one day, I stopped driving for two years. I was really scared. When I went on levodopa, I tried driving again. I was amazed, no more problems driving. I felt really good, was really confident. Levodopa truly is an amazing drug.
Yes, you were extremely lucky. But, it should never have happened in the first place. Too many accidents are caused by careless drivers with no concern for anyone else.
You were wise to give up driving when you felt it was unsafe to do so and I admire your courage for getting behind that wheel again after the accident.
As for 'Parkinson's Disease'. I know pretty much quite a bit about it.
My Father had it and I cared for him until he passed away last year.
He was a good age of 83, but did not take any Medication. He must have had it for a while but seemed to keep it from me and my Mum as we only noticed something bad was wrong in the last couple of years of his Life. I believe that he had taken Meds, it would have helped him. But he did not die because of the Parkinson's, he had a very bad fall in the house and broke his neck.
I am pleased that it has improved your Life. It really is a miracle drug. :)
Thank you, you have given me the courage to try harder with my driving.
richardvilla
11-06-15, 18:37
Sinitus brought my 'fear' of driving on. My congested head and ears made me feel lightheaded as I was driving. This happened 4 times and the last time I thought that's it I ain't driving until this congestion has gone. In 4 weeks I've managed to drive round the block only. I can't go to work and my partner has to struggle to get a bus (she carries cleaning tools). I will carry on driving round the block and eventually tackle the traffic lights again. 23 years of driving and the last 4 weeks have shattered my confidence. All because of bad sinuses!
I suffer with Sinitus as well Richardvilla. I never had it before I got Anxiety.
Like you, I can drive round the block or down the road, but my confidence is smashed. I am thinking about taking some refresher lessons; it might help.:shrug:
Driving is the symptom only Agoraphobia is the problem. Fix that and you will never have a problem again and never have a panic attack driving again. Otherwise no matter what you do it will only be coping and there are lots of coping things that let you drive, they are only part answer.
I love to drive. I love to drive fast on windy steep roads. I was a welder so my night vision is less than it should be yet I still drive at night. I have driven for four hours in a snow storm for an appointment in the city and four hours in the dark in that same snow storm to get home. Six years ago I could barely go to the store. I could barely go anywhere because of the Agoraphobia.
How long did you suffer with Agoraphobia Davit? And when was your turning point and was it gradual or instant?
Sunflower2
15-06-15, 22:53
It's agoraphobia for me too. I'm a confident driver and still love driving, I used to drive everywhere day and night. Now an agoraphobic thought of being out somewhere away from home alone causes me to panic while I'm driving. It's odd though because I don't have agoraphobia in the sense I'm scared to leave my house as I can travel abroad by plane alone... Honestly my brain Makes no sense and even my therapist agrees on that!
Probably for more than ten years but ten years would be the worst when I could not do some things. It was like my feet were nailed to the floor. Agoraphobia came on slow but went fast. It was not days but not weeks either. Remember Agoraphobia is about control. The car is just a trigger, how you see driving is the actual problem and that can be changed. Juanita could drive but not on bridges or in traffic. Three weeks later bridges were no problem. For a holiday she drove across Canada to drive across our longest bridge. It goes out over part of the ocean, another fear of hers. She flies by herself and has done cruises and train trips. See getting rid of Agoraphobia got rid of all her fears.
---------- Post added at 16:52 ---------- Previous post was at 16:49 ----------
Kimberley
That is more than Agoraphobia, you have a core belief attached to some things if you can fly but not drive.
MyNameIsTerry
16-06-15, 05:23
It's agoraphobia for me too. I'm a confident driver and still love driving, I used to drive everywhere day and night. Now an agoraphobic thought of being out somewhere away from home alone causes me to panic while I'm driving. It's odd though because I don't have agoraphobia in the sense I'm scared to leave my house as I can travel abroad by plane alone... Honestly my brain Makes no sense and even my therapist agrees on that!
I think with yours, Kimberley, there is a strong connection to that event you explained where you started to panic and worried about being sick whilst driving. That has formed this core belief.
I have a similiar event at work where my mind just seemed to snap and from then on I felt sick being in there. It took time to work through my escalating panic/anxiety before I returned to work but the nausea issue still occured but with less intensity. After being there in a quiet office on my own for a few days I started to see it improve greatly but when I would be surrounded by people or a long way from the exits and talking to people, I would feel it building - the need to escape the situation. Further weeks spent doing this throughout the day resolved it though and within 6 months I was very confident again.
The issue came back leading up to my relapse. I've had to deal with it again in supermarkets, shopping centres, etc so I feel it has greatly diminished or gone now.
Hey Davit, I drove the Car!
It was an emergency, because I had to get some antibiotics for my partner who has gone down with a chest infection.
I used being positive to get me through.
The positivity was doing something good and worthwhile for my partner.
I focused on that and not on the driving.
I said it over and over again until I got to my destination.
Thank you Davit, I read this somewhere in one of your posts. :)
Congratulations I'm happy for you. That event will go into memory for you and as long as you stay positive and believe it will get better.
It is in the thread "words' I think. Why it works is in the thread "riders"
Very well done, Carnation! You did it despite having a really bad time leading up to the drive! At least something really positive has come out of this!
I drove again today, to take my cat to the Vets. So, it was a double stress factor.
I managed it fine, even though I did miss the turning and had to come back again. :D
I feel I can drive if it is something important, but distance and strange places still scare me.
The annoying thing is I am waiting for Therapy through my car accident claim, but it is been nearly 9 months already. :ohmy:
Ah, so we know the trigger then.
But you drove, that is the main thing.
Drove again today. :)
And, it was NOT an emergency.
It was not far, but I still did it. :)
MyNameIsTerry
23-06-15, 23:03
Well done, Carnation. :yesyes::yahoo:
It's's fine rising to a challenge out of necessity but we do need to be able to do it whenever we want and not when we have no choice and this is where we can be making the real progress.
Sunflower2
24-06-15, 12:29
I have had a bit of a breakthrough.. I drove a different way to work for the first time in months, and I went and drove the work van 20 minutes to do an inspection, which includes driving a road which makes me panic thinking about it. Got panicky and felt a bit uneasy but continued on and did it!!! Never driven the van before either so that in itself is a massive task. Very proud of myself for achieving this!
Congratulations to both of you. Next step is just going for a drive because you feel like it. Don't even plan on going far. Look around at all you have been missing staying as positive as you can be. The object is to take the chore out of driving and put some pleasure in it. You can do this.
Sunflower2
24-06-15, 17:55
Davit I already love driving, and the driving itself isn't the issue for me. It's just the fear of feeling sick and being stuck away from home alone. For me when my anxiety is lower, driving is easier and more enjoyable.
Kimberly.
Some Agoraphobia in there. (fear of being not in control) Any Idea where it comes from. Ever been stuck or sick. Do you know some one who has. Not necessarily in a car. When the thought repeats itself it forms a core belief. You also have the positive core that driving is fun. Lower anxiety and you use that one. Mood and focus influence which one to use. It is about pathways in memory. One goes to negative memories one goes to positive. Attitude, belief and emotions (mood) decide which one you will use.
MyNameIsTerry
25-06-15, 06:09
Good stuff, Kimberley. I used to travel a couple of times a week with lots of people over several years and they all had that initial adjustment to new vehicles, its normal.
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