Fear of Driving Car

[Carnation]

Well, maybe it wasn't perfect. But, I did get the car inside the lines.

[Carnation]

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.

[Sunflower2]

Carnation I'm so proud of you!!

[Carnation]

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]

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]

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.

[Carnation]

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!

[JoeGomez17]

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!

[Carnation]

Thank you JoeGomez.

[Carnation]

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.