LONG Car Rides...

[kjolly]

I don't mind driving around town, I just can't drive on long trips...my parent's live 2.5 hrs. away and I freak out just about every time I try to visit them, even if it's coming home from there. This week, my daughter went to Florida w/ my sister and her kids for 10 days in Disney World, I missed our aunt's funeral (they went before heading to Florida), because the funeral was a 4.5 hour car ride from my house and between having my daughter leaving for 10 days and being alone for 10 days, and dealing with the guilt of not going to the funeral (I know no one will understand and will think I'm horrible for not going, which stressed me out even more), then I was PMS'ing, I was having anxiety all week. The last time I went down to visit my family (where the funeral was) was 2 years ago when another aunt was dying of cancer and we all got together for a sort of 'last goodbye'...I drove down and was having anxiety attacks the whole time, even when I was down there, waking up every morning, then being around the whole family,etc. I don't handle crowds or 'strange/different' places well either, which causes anxiety attacks, which really sucks, because I want to go on vacations and move out of state SO BAD, but I'm afraid to do ANYTHING because I've had anxiety attacks everytime I've done ANYTHING.
HOW do you NOT fear the attacks when they get you every time you try???

[Krakers]

Hi Kjolly - I became agrohpobic for 5 weeks over Schristmas - wouldn't leave the house. Then I read a post from Zinn that said he went for a drive at night when there wasn't much traffic around.

I followed his lead - drove to my dads, my brothers, the local shopping precindt, petrol station, everywhere. Didn't stop, but I drove.

Since then I've been widiening my circle. I've gone from being able to mekae the corner shop (400 mtrs away), to now being able to drive almost 30 miles. Each time you push yourself it gets easier.

The trick is to start with small steps and work yourslef up to the biggy. I've got good mates in London (200 miles away) and theres no chance I'll drive there - yet. I've done the journey like 100+ times, but your head needs to be in it.

Try driving yourslef that little bit further each night. I'm not saying the trip will br a breeze when you do go for it, but each time you push yourself that little bit further (and don't forget 1 mile further today in 150 miles in less than a year), then you will and can make it.

For me driving has always been easy - its the bloody red lights that start my brain ticking. Theres also distraction techniques you can use at the lights - have a search of the forums, you may get some good advice.

Krakers.

[nomorepanic]

Have a read of these...


driving
Hi new member mom w/ panic and dp/dr (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1239)
Driving (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6038)
driving phobia (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5105)
Hi, I am new and need re-assurance (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6527)
Panic - When driving (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6631)
Panic attacks while driving (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7291)
CBT therapy for driving problems - my diary (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7162)


My post is the last one - I had CBT to help me