anyone has driving fear?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-21-2006
anyone has driving fear?
8
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 12:17pm

Hello, i was wondering if anyone out there has driving problem? n want to know how do overcome it.

When i was in university, i had no problem driving. Then, after i broke up with my 1st ex, i was depressed, developed phobia and anxiety and since then i cant drive. Today I am recovered from my depression but i still not comfortable in driving as i constantly remembered how 'scary' it can be when phobia hits. I was especially nervous abt heavy traffic volume n on the traffic light waiting to make a left turn....

can anyone help?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 12:35pm

Hello & welcome to our caring community! You are NOT alone. This issue is one that has affected many. Here is a very good thread to read. Just click on the link:

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 1:25pm

Hi & welcome!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2006
Sat, 06-03-2006 - 2:12pm

Hello..
I can completly understand where you are coming from. I too sufffer from anxiety and panic disorder and have had issues with driving for quite some time now.. I am better then I was but still have issues with it.. I still will not drive at night and on extremly busy roads in my case that is the Parkway..

Think of somewhere that you would love to go maybe shopping to the mall or something.. Something that gives you more motivation has worked for me.. Try to focus on where you are going and not think about the actual driving and getting into the car.. Dont go a long distance just somewhere local where you can go and have a little fun... Barnes and Noble is another fun place if there is one local in your area maybe go look at some books and grab a cup of tea.. If you have somewhere to go and can get excited about it ia going to give you more motivation to drive! The more I did this the more I kind of stopped focusing on the anxiety of driving.. Like I said I dont like the night time etc. However instead of saying its anxiety etc.. I have said to myself and others this is just the way I am.. I do not like to drive in the dark and on busy roads and I have come to find out that there are many many people that are not anxiety sufferers that feel the very same way.. So I have basically taken the word anxiety out of it and have just made it a choice that for now I like to drive and stay close to home and I take one day at a time.. I dont get worried about what if I have no option as to having to drive somewhere far.. Ill deal with it as it comes my way.. I am currently driving on a daily basis now where as before I would stay at home for weeks if not months at a time.. Take Care :0)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 06-03-2006 - 10:01pm

That is great how you handled your driving issues.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2006
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 11:26pm
Thank you for sharing your experience in overcoming the fear. I m trying to do the same... i have overcome driving in small and quiet street. The next thing is trying to drive a little further on the main road. I hope i can overcome it and be able to drive to work, shopping n places n to meet my friends... :)
Avatar for filiasan
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-29-2004
Fri, 06-09-2006 - 11:50pm

"Hello, i was wondering if anyone out there has driving problem?"

Here! I do. But it's largely due to the fact that I have cerebellar ataxia! This condition, along with others, is a reason why I get paid SSDI. I feel pretty much trapped where I am, because I can't rely on myself to get around. I don't have reliable friends, either.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 06-10-2006 - 9:04am

I can understand what you mean about being stuck at home.

Sheri Ann

Avatar for filiasan
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-29-2004
Sat, 06-10-2006 - 4:24pm

At least there's the good side to that down side. Well, for me, anyways. Because I have a real disorder, I get paid by the government. But I what hurts me more than being stuck here in a place I don't like, that I never liked to begin with, is the disloyalty of so-called friends. There's something wrong with people today. I hold loyalty very seriously, more for friendship than lovers because having a friend is much more important to me than being attached to someone. Oddly enough, I don't care that much about lovers infidelity. Then again, I've never been in love. Not really. Not even "my first" (you know how a lot of women will get overly attached to the one who deflowered him). I ended up breaking his heart, not vice versus. But I'm really no good at relationships. I guess it's because I have too many imbalances. Btw, did you know that autism is an imbalance in the body, the affects the mind? (FYI, I have mild autism.)

But I think it's hard for most people to be happy. And most of the people I know that drive, and have a vehicle hate it for the most part. Losing all that money, trying to tolerate idiots on the road, and still have to concentrate on what they're doing. I'm scatter-brained! I have brain fog, so even if I didn't have ataxia I still shouldn't be on the road.