Ok,heres an example of my set up driving scenerio.......

Ok, lets say for instance, we are all at home in front of the computer and we will have live a half a mile from each other. Well, we all decide to meet each other at the dollar store, 6 blocks away at a certain time, like in 15 minutes. Ok, what would be running through your mind right about now?? Well, I would be thinking about having shortness of breath, and the feeling of blood rushing to my head, to and from the store. Well, once , we get there, we are all feeling good, then we all leave drive back home and call each other to see how it felt..... I want to know how you would feel and what I can do to alleviate and get rid of this thought of the shortness of breath and the feeling of blood rushing to my head....seriously, I want to hear input..

Thanks

Joseph

15 minutes before leaving to go somewhere, i'm thinking "yeah, i have enough time to play a video game and shower." when leaving, i'm thinking "well, i'm out, so its ok to eat fast food, what am i passing on the way home." lol.

i don't suffer from driving anxiety, so, yeah. but, like any other anxiety, i think THINKING about it is worse. try watching the clock, and leaving at a good time. when its 5 till, just say "ok, i'm leaving, lets see what my anxiety can do today." say "well, i'm leaving regardless, so, either way, i don't care what i feel, its not a big deal."

Joseph,

I've thought of you ever since you posted your last driving experience to the dollar store. I was hoping you were doing better and you didn't give up.

A few months ago, I was completely unable to drive. I was so dizzy and I'd almost pass out when I got to where I was going and got out of the car to walk. All I can tell you is that I drive about 60 miles every day now and I did it by not giving in to the anxiety. No matter how bad I felt, no matter how afraid I was, I'd get in the car and drive every day. It was terrifying, it was frustrating, and I wanted nothing more than to just give up some days. But you can't..... Instead of going somewhere and getting out of the car (which is hard), just practice driving every day. Drive around the block one time, then two, then three, then branch out a little further each tine. It is the repetition of driving every day that has eased my anxiety. Don't plan to get out of the car at first. Don't go into a store. Just drive. When you begin feeling more comfortable with that, start getting out at stores and overcoming that fear too. All I can say is repetition, repetition, repetition. The more you do something, the less you fear it.

Finally, and I can't stress this enough, practice your breathing. This really helps! When you feel the anxiety coming on, start your breathing techniques right away. It does short circuit the anxiety. It may not totally eliminate it (it doesn't always for me) but it does keep it from getting out of control.

By the way I grew up in Jacksonville - not far from you! Good luck!

carolyn actually did a tape that you can order through the midwest center that's about driving anxiety. i just ordered it and haven't had a go of it yet, but it might be helpful for you if driving is a problem.

Hi Joseph,

Lisa, is telling you the right thing about just getting in your car and drive. And doing something that is a threat to you over and over and over again you get over the fear of it. I used to be like that with getting in elevators. I hated going in elevators because I was stuck in one (not by myself with a whole elevator ful of students at the time). I had to go to the hospital because my husband did not know what to do for me anymore. I was so ill, he was always running me to doctors after doctors and they could not find anything wrong. They told me it was all in my head. But I was really very ill, I was so full of toxins because someone I had trusted detoxed my liver and they did not know what they were doing.

I had to go in elevators all the time, to go on different floors, tests, moving from one floor to another. After a while I really didn't mind going in elevators. I over
came the fear of them. Try to stay more relaxed and don't get yourself all worked up so that you get those body symptoms. I hope that helps you!

Dona Dry

Instantly I would be thinking about the route to the dollar store. Would it have any highways or bridges to and from? I would get my Thomas Bros Street Guide out and reasure myself I could do it and with a 15 minute deadline. I have already used up 5 minutes looking up the information. My hands are sweating and I am not even in the car. Keep breathing (2-4 count), encouraging self talk, listen on the way to "Driving with Comfort" CD. I made it and I am so glad you are all there too. I know that it took courage!