My big fear is a fear of driving. Does anyone else have this fear that would like to talk about it?

Yes, I have experienced many panic attacks while driving and unfortunately have allowed myself to avoid driving. I can drive in my "safe" zones OK but I can't drive on the freeway - yet! it is a goal of mine to get there. I totally understand and it is so hard because there are lots of things I don't do or parties I don't attend because I don't drive....

I have had this fear of driving for probably about 10 years. Have always been able to pull myself thru it and get back to driving. But it has started back again. I can only drive comfortably if someone else is in the car with me. I got carolyn's CD and it had alot of good information on it. But I still can't seem to get out there by myself. Actually think that it is getting worse.

Don't beat yourselves up. You's are further than me, I can't drive. Yes 28 and can't drive, but then the driving process is a hell of alot different over here in Northern Ireland, IE 3 Tests before you get your lisence, Its just not worth the hassle for me.

I understand about the driving thing. I can drive in my safe zone but i am not able to drive on highways. It makes me so mad. I also can not drive over bridges either. I can be in a car if someone else is driving on the hightway but i still get panic attacks. I can also drive over a bridge if someone else is driving i have to close my eyes and think to my self what part of the bridge are we at. I do the same on the highway. I just want to be able to drive on the highway and not take the long way to get places.

I can relate to the driving thing. I can drive in what I call my "Comfort Zone" and am working on expanding it now. At this time, I cannot face driving on the interstate. Luckily I can get to where I want to go without getting on. Hopefully I will be able to at some point in time. I began the program on Sunday. Good Luck!

I completely understand. I have my safe zones and that's it. If I have to take my husband to work in the morning because I need the car that day I freak out. There are certain stop lights I won't go near. That is one of the main reasons I bought this package. I'm tired of not driving my kids places or even driving myself to go shopping and have a good time.

I also have a fear of driving. I had my first panic attack while I was in my car. I have been to the emergency room twice during panic attacks because I was convinced I was having a heart attack or that something else was wrong with me. If I have someone in the car with me I am usually ok and sometimes I can calm myself down if I talk to someone on my cell phone but it doesn't always work. I feel so frustrated because I don't go to target because I'm afraid to be in traffic!! I just got the program and am going to start it this week. I have been through so many medications I really hope that this program can help.

Wow, I'm amaized how many people have the same simptoms! I am terrified driving on HWYs,I had my first panik attack while I was in the car, and it was very hot weather and I was staying at the street light...I can drive by myself only in familiar places, and only on the streets.. or someone has to be next to me.. wow, and I thought that it is only me who has that problems.. Thank you VERY MUCH for sharing your stories! Do you know anyone who get over it?

I've just gotta share...I too have had a few episodes of having panic feelings while driving...now I KNOW the driving had NOTHING to do with WHY I had the p/a(s)...and yet I've really limited myself on my driving...really giving me the blues as a result! Today, after reading these posts, I was motivated to DO something rather than fear it again today..after I got done running the gamet of hot & cold body temps and stopped feeling jittery,( ) I got going! I got in the car and took it for a wash! On my return trip home, I deliberately went a longer route and one that I knew was riddled with a lot of construction...testing myself.. I was FINE...I guess my lesson that I'm learning is that just because I'd had a p/a in the car before DOES NOT mean that driving has to be the feared "enemy"...nor does the store or any other location that I've had a p/a...and to think I've limited myself for so long. A p/a can happen to us wherever we are...but we now have tools to minimize and/or ideally lose altogether, the notion of a p/a again.
Thanks to all that have contributed to this topic...you inspired me to take action and I feel a bit more empowered over this issue! Best wishes for recovery for one & all!

Oh Tracy.....way to go!!! That is awesome. It feels so good when we can push that envelope just a little bit further. I too have a problem on the highway. I did a trip earlier this summer with my 10 y/o daughter in the car about 2 hours away and it was unbelievable. I did it and felt like I just won a million bucks! But I still really need to work on highway driving. I tell myself that I can get off at any point and go through the towns or call a safe person (I never had to do this yet) but I feel if I have an out, then at least I can deal with it better. I'm working on it too...and you know what...it will come to all of us if we work on it enough. Good luck to us all!

Lynn

I saw this post about driving and wrote a little something about my p/a's but never thought that there were so many others that felt the same way. I thought I was losing my mind, every person that I would tell that I will not drive on the highway or over a bridge would tell me how much easier it is to drive on the highway no stop and go just a straight drive. the night I wrote my post I received a call from a friend who's car broke down and the only way for me to get to him was to take the highway. I did with him on the phone with me and I was able to do it now keep in mind there was really no traffic on this highway so the next morning I said wow I can do this so I tried, well I was wrong I had tom get off as soon as I got on I could not understand why I was able to do it the night before but not then? I am really hoping this program works. I am so glad that there are other that I can talk to about this and other things that go along with p/a's and those that have been able to nget over there fears I could not be more happier for you guys, I just hope I get to that point soon since I am so tried of make up reason not to go places without having someone else come and pick me up and do the driving. To the others like me that are not there yet with driving good luck to us all and just remember that there are other just like you that still have the fear of driving no matter how big or small that fear may be. looking forward to read more.

Hi all,

I'm new. Just figured out the dizzy spells I was having while driving were actually panic attacks. I had been quite ill before this and lost a lot of weight. I thought it health issues again. I've been trying to drive several times per week. I live in the country and get only about 1/2 mile from home and then feel like I need to turn around and come home. I've made myself drive the same 1/2 mile back and forth for at least 10 minutes. I feel anxious just getting in the driver's seat. So I've been practicing just sitting in the driver's for 15 minutes while the car is off and parked in the garage. I don't know if this is progress or not. But at least I feel like I'm trying to fight the panic attacks. It gets pretty lonely living in the country. No close neighbors. I've even given up my job as it was affecting my husbands job having to take me and pick me up at odd times. Today I finally admitted to my mom the reason I'm not driving in to see her today - it's her birthday - is because I have panic attacks while driving. I think it blew her away. She just couldn't understand why I can't just get in the car and drive. Am I being a whimp? I try to keep busy all day so I don't have to think about the world beyond my home that I'm missing

quote:

Originally posted by Hostas:
Hi all,

I try to keep busy all day so I don't have to think about the world beyond my home that I'm missing

Hello Hostas:

First of all, no you are not being a wimp. Be gentle with yourself.

I can relate SOOOO much to the above statement as I have recently moved from one isolated country setting to another...but here, I have no friends, so I am alone a LOT. I, too, try to keep myself busy.

We MUST give ourselves credit and kudos for EACH and EVERY achievement DAILY..no matter how seemingly small.

If you finish a book or water a plant or go for a jaunt around the property or EVEN sign on to this site and REACH OUT to others~ we must give ourselves credit. Let's write it down as an achievement.

Currently on Session #3 and having a rough time of it but hey...I am still here; right here typing this. I am reaching out.

Yes, I still feel as if I am missing out on so very much, truth be told, but I MUST focus on the positive. My tendency is to focus on the negative..not only that but I magnify it, focus on it, all-or-nothing it to death. It's crazy-making and horrid for the self-esteem. I'm just now beginning to see how much.

Lots to learn but plugging away.

Be Well and remember to treat yourself just as you would a child or best friend with these problems..with the utmost gentleness, patience, tenderness. I am trying my best to do the same.

Hugz~

Shelby

Shelby,

Thanks for the Hugz and the positive attitude. It brought me a big smile. Just typing my email made my stomach flutter, but afterwards I felt better. I had admitted I have panic attacks. Most days I take pride in what I've accomplished. I have noticed the "one step forward, two step back" days. Everyday I feel like I'm fighting myself to overcome this fear. When I drive the 1/2 mile, I feel like Rocky who's just run to the top of the stairs and puts his hands in the air and jumps around. It's a wonderful feeling after I've done it! Today I was upset with myself for disappointing my Mom. But after reading your post, I thought, hay, I'm doing the best I can today and my Mom will always love me. Bless you for your words. I got a big smile when you typed "lots to learn but plugging away". That's exactly how I feel.