I just wanted to share that, for two weeks now, I have had no panic attacks while on the road. Being mildly-to-moderately agoraphobic in recent months due to fear of panic attacks while driving, I am happy to finally be on the road once again.
I find what helps me is if I physically relax my body before I go anywhere. Consciously doing this each time I get in the car has helped me a great deal (as is listening to my favorite music).

good job!!

i have found what helps me out a lot is the positive-thinking blue card, and telling myself that people drive every day, and so why can't i? i'm no different from them.

music is also really, really helpful.

two whole weeks? that's AWESOME!
keep going, we're all here for you

Wow! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work, and never give up ever. I'm so happy for you. I'm rooting for you, and everyone on the forum.

Hugs and Peace

quote:

There is nothing to fear, but fear itself

If I were there in person, I'd give you a high-five! Many congrats, and here's to the next two weeks of driving without panic attacks. Way to go!!

Good for you, flaxenfire!!!

Jeri

Way to go....!!! That driving thing is a kicker...I never stopped driving this entire time, but it did get difficult...I mean extremely....I just tery and think back to the times, when I was a care free driver LAST YR.....My only semi hurdle is the distance thing....It's like I feel like I can't take care of myself, because of anxiety if I go to far....How rediculous is that.....That has never been the case....But that's fabulous....Just know you've helped someone else with your success!!!!

Hey Bernard,

How you doing my friend? I am reading from your posts that you are getting better with your driving but going long distances gives you anxiety. I can relate to that! The further and further I went from my SAFE PLACE I would get these terrible scary thoughts and get anxious. Now that dosen't happen anymore. Like you said that is stupid to think like that. Or, if I went on a new road that I was not familiar with the same thing happened. OH!! THOSE WERE THE DAYS!!

You just get yourself in a rut of negative thinking and start scaring yourself you start losing control of yourself and you panic. When I was younger I just got in the car and went to where I had to go on all kinds of roads, it never bothered me I was just happy to get away and travel with my girlfriends.

When I was in my middle 20's I packed up the car and drove 3 hours to see my boyfriend who was waiting for me in the mountains. I drove all my myself, never had any fears or thought what if this happens? Or what if that happens? I just drove and was having a great time with the radio and thinking about seeing my boyfriend.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THOSE TIMES? Now we're afraid to go anywhere? What happened to our thinking? We lost our control, our self-esteem, our courage, our self-determination! We have to get back what we lost and WE CAN WITH THE HELP OF THE PROGRAM.

Dona Dry

Congratulations! Thats a great victory. Driving can be scarey for me too. It's hard especially when you have to learn to get used to driving in a larger amount of traffic in larger areas for job opprotunities, etc. So I know that it is something difficult to overcome. I am so glad that you're feeling less stress when driving! Thanks for the tips too. Good luck!

i have just started lesson 3 and have not driven in a while. i have bad panic attacks and have been afraid to drive. but i have been taking lexapro and xanax if i need them. but i want to get off the medicine and be able to rely on myself for the support i need. i have finally been able to drive to work and go to the grocery store. but i cannot drive out of town and get on the main roads and go through the intercetions. i get scared and afraid that i might have a panic attack. any comments or help please need help.

thanks

flaxenfire,
Congratulations!!!!! keep up the fantastic work!
Isn't it awesome to be getting back the freedom and independence?!!!!
Over eight months for me now. It gets better and better with the more driving we do.

julie,
You'll get there! Remember to do the program's breathing technique even before walking out the door.then again when you get into the car.
Bring one of the tapes with you while driving. #3 is a great one!!! Like having a good friend talking to you the whole drive.
Also try Carolyn's driving tape -call MWC to order it. Only takes a few days to get it. Awesome tape to help with gaining comfort while driving. Remember, it will pass and you'll be fine.
You can do it! take baby steps and keep driving every day.

God bless and hugs