Fear of Driving Car

[Carnation]

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?

[Sunflower2]

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]

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]

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.

[Carnation]

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?

[Cheesemonster13]

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.

[Carnation]

What a brilliant idea, thank you sooo much!!

[Carnation]

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.

[aprilmoon]

You parked it perfectly, now that IS bragging!! Lol
You go girl!

[Sunflower2]

Woohooo! Parking perfectly is not easy in town at the best of times! onwards and upwards from here!