First Post!

[Moonstone]

Hi all,
this is me.....fed up with not knowing folks who understand what im suffering from!!!![V]
have had a driving phobia for 14 yrs after being stuck in an almighty traffic jam, also suffer from clinical depression and PTSD, apart from that....IM OK!:D
blessings
moon
x

[Meg]

Hi and welcome to the site.

What can we do for you ?

How have you managed over the past years. Is your PTSD from something else ?

What treatment have you had ?


Meg
www.overcominganxiety.co.uk

You cannot conquer fear until you have learned what it is you're afraid of. The enemy is ignorance. Vivian Vance

[jill]

Hi Moon.

Welcome to he site.

There are lots of nice people here who will
help and support you.

TAKE CARE

LOVE JILLXXX

[vernon]

Hi moon, Welcome to the site. Nicola (no more panic) the one who wrote this site has same driving phobia. but she has learned a lot to handle it now. She ven loves going over Big Bridges (only kiddin she will kill me). Sure u will get lots of help on here Take care Vernon

[sal]

Hi Moon

Welcome to the site. You will get lots of great advice and support here.




Lots of Love Sal xxxxx

[Moonstone]

Hi Meg,
sorry, didnt want to take up too much space!
ive had little treatment for my driving phobia, which has turned rapidly into agraphobia as ive not been able to get about much, even public transport makes me shudder, im constantly frightened of getting stuck in traffic, i have panic attacks whenever i drive, which in turn make me avoid driving.
i have had two courses of hypnotherapy, with good results, until i ran out fo money lol! but found it really hard to keep up with going out in the car, one incident ( road works etc ) would make me hide away at home, i go for short journeys ( 10 mins at most ) most days but even that is fraught with anxiety.
The PTSD is a result of a particulary bad episode of Anti Social Behaviour, our neighbours were truly horrible people who made our lives a misery for 18 mths, we were subjected to deafening music and parties which lasted for days, shouting, abuse, damage to our property, deatht threats, we had to leave there on police advice for our own safety.
We moved into my mothers house.
We had a long battle with the council over this who refused to take any resposibility even though they had ignored our pleas for help.
They eventually re-homed us in what they assured us would be a safe area......it wasnt.
We spent four mths of what i can only describe as pure hell.....i became suicidal, extremely afraid, and turned to drink in an effort to survive there.
We had no choice but to move back to my mothers again....where we are now.
I sought medical help after sitting just looking out of the window and crying....it was all too much....they diagnosed me with Clinical Depression and PTSD, i suffer badly when i hear loud music ( you know mainly from cars- boy racer types ) anyone who wears the same kind of dress as our perpetrators ( baseball cap, shell suit etc ) can send me into extreme panic.
I saw a Mental health doctor last week and have been referred for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, but......it meant going to a city 30 mins away and i cannot get there! i dont know wether they can sort out for soembody to see me closer to home but ive got my fingers crossed! other than that he said theres nothing he can do for me.
My husband has not been able to work for 6 yrs after a motorcycle accident, he was hit by a lady in New Zealand, she ran a red light and my husband recieved severe injuries including a shattered right hand, we've been fighting to get this useless limb amputated so that my hubby can return to work and try to dig us out of this miserable hole we find ourselves in.
he is constantly being seen, and ignored by consultants who do not seem to like bikers!!!!
so thats basically it as they say......
moon
x

[Moonstone]

Wow!
thanks all for your lovely welcome messages[^]
hope ive not put anyone off me with the post above.
i read Nicola's page about her driving phobia and oculd identify so much with that.....thank you all again.
blessings
moon
x

[Meg]

Whoa Moon, I thought there was probably much more to it ...

No worries with space - we're newly upgraded and its great .

Ok I can totally understand the dillemmas and horrible situation you're in that has led you to PTSD and depression.

Sorry to hear about your husbands accident.

How is the drinking now ?

CBT is the best treatment available - used often in conjunction with meds but doesn't have to be. It means hard work on your part but does help . Can you travel any better if you have someone with you in order to get to the city for treatment.

Ask about a community psychiatric nurse visiting you at home first.

No Panic charity does a phone CBT ish course you might want to link into .

Take care and let us know how you are



Meg
www.overcominganxiety.co.uk

You cannot conquer fear until you have learned what it is you're afraid of. The enemy is ignorance. Vivian Vance

[Moonstone]

lol! the quiet ones are always the worst!:D
i stopped drinking almost as soon as we moved here, i feel safer and have no need to rely on that to get me through the day....a couple of glasses of wine here or there and thats all.
i dont even reach for the booze when im upset or fearful which is a great achievement for me ( one of many i hope! )
i cannot travel even with anyone else with me or somebody else driving, im really very afraid.
that is interesting about the community phschiatric nurse.....i will find out more about that if im told that there is no help nearby for me, thank you for that.
i have read about the phonecourse and am very interested in it, albeit a bit shy! i thought i would give myslef time on the boards and see if there may be a space for me on that, its something to definitly think about doing.
thank you for your help Meg, much appreciated
blessings
moon
x

[nomorepanic]

Hi Moon

Welcome to a fellow driving phobic lol.

If you have read "My story" then you will know that this has been the pain of my life for many years. I think it is because my panic started in the car so I have always associated driving with those panic attacks.

I don't let anyone drive me except my partner cos I trust him to stop when I say stop. Taxi drivers scare me to death and I do the occasional bus from the park and ride but nothing more. Trains are a no-go cos I feel trapped on them.

I think most of my fears are because of control and claustrophobia.

I really should make an effort this year to tackle some of those issues but because they don't restrict my life very much I put them off (like we do).

I always knew that I would have to drive to get to work so I have had to face that one head on.

As Vern says, I recently had a bad experience on a BIG BRIDGE and it knocked my confidence a bit.

However, I am fighting back and I have since been on the bridge again and managed it better.

Have you read the tips on the site for driving and how to cope?

Get some loud music in the car and some rescue remedy in a bottle of water - they will both help. We can talk some more about this if you want. I am expert at driving and panicking lol.

Sorry about the issues with the neighbours - must have been really horrid for you. You also you have the added problems of hubbies accident - a lot to cope with there.

If you can face doing the No Panic telephone course it is very good - I did it about 7 years ago now but really enjoyed it.

I hope we can be of some help to you here and get you back on track again.


Nicola

[Moonstone]

thanks for that Nicola!
ive read your your story and if you could have seen me you'd have howled!
i was like one of those nodding dogs! the more i read...my head was nodding away in agreement like some demented nodding person!!!!lol!
i am sending away for membership to NoPanic.
i am so pleased i found this site, its really reassuring to know im....NOT THE ONLY ONE!!!
most people cannot really understand the driving thing, its hard for them, they say oh i dont like traffic either and then jump in theyre cars and head to Devon for the day!!!!!!!!!! it is frustrating.
im so inspired by your story and how youve coped and the victories youve had, i cannot tell you how good it is to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
ahhhh the music thing in the car.....ive switched to folk music as my usual Heavy rock wasnt doing me any good! have you any idea how hard it is to drive a car and headbang! [}:)] not good........:D
anyway i hope to get to know you all so much better......theres a real warm feeling to this site......oh no...sorry......just spilt me coffee!!!!!!!
blessings
moon
xxx

[mico]

Hi Moon

Welcome to the site, I'm sure you'll find the help and support that you need.

mico

[nomorepanic]

Hi Moon.

I think a lot of people see resemblences in my story and can relate to bits of it. Some can relate to all of it lol.

You sound quite cheerful and bright in your post so I hope that is how you feel as well.

We look forward to getting to know you better as well.

Ask any questions you want to ok?

Good luck with the driving fears.

Nicola

[Moonstone]

today is a good day.......tomorrow who knows....we'll worry about that when it comes!
i specialise in being daft.....its whats gets me through ( quote Ozzy Osbourne - the Prince of Darkness!!! )
i hope i can be of some help to others here as well.....even if its just to raise a smile!
blessings
moon
xxx

[samjane]

HI moon u r a very brave lady, most people would have caved in a long time ago. u have come so far dont give up. u will find alot of help here from so many nice people always on hand to give support. i can relate to alot of how u feel, i have very few panic attacks know but sitll can only drive 4 s short time.

we will get there.

love Samantha



Every Journey Starts With The First Step:D

[sal]

Hi mate

You have had a really hard time and managed to pull yourself back from it.

I know you are still feeling bad but you escaped the alcohol route and are there for your partner.

I hope you can get a counsellor closer to home that will help you.

After what you have been through you want to remember how strong you are to have come so far.

Just pleased you have joined the site and you will get lots of help on here.



Lots of Love Sal xxxxx

[maxine]

Hello Moonstone,
Welcome to the site,dont worry about the luntics the dont usually bite!!:D

Thanks for replying to my post about the CBT your good wishes are much appreicated!
Please take no notice of my terrible spelling,i'm like this all the time!!:D

Take Care

Maxine