Anxiety while driving
Posted , 5 users are following.
Does anyone have any tips/ advice, or any kind of support for driving anxiety? I'm 20 years old & have severe health anxiety, and panic disorder. i go to college & have a job so driving is something unavoidable and I get horrible anxiety during it. I have to drive about 30 mins to class everyday & at first I'm okay & then after a while I start feeling like I can't breathe, I start feeling like detached from myself & like I'm not in control of the car or that I'm just going to pass out at any moment. I've never actually pulled over when I feel this way, I usually just suffer internally & somehow make it to my destination or make it home. It's so scary and it makes me not want to drive myself anywhere 
it happens pretty much almost every time I drive more than like 10 mins away. I can't drive in traffic or on highways cause that makes it even worse. I think I don't like feeling trapped or something & traffic will immediately put me into that panic. I don't know what to do. I feel fine with other people are driving me, so it's not a car sick thing. Do any of you guys ever feel this way? & how do you deal with it? I'm struggling so much, I'm already dreading next week when I'm going to have to drive an hour for a work training. 
1 like, 8 replies
mac58 Peach104839
Posted
Can I suggest that you contact a Driving Instructor and ask for some advice? A lot of them deal very well with or specialise in, nervous drivers.
Generally, a few lessons to discover what is causing this should help. You will find out why you are an anxous driver and be given help to overcome it.
Good luck!
Peach104839 mac58
Posted
Hello, thanks for responding. The problem isn't with knowing how to drive, I have anxiety disorders which just bring about these feelings no matter what I am doing.
mac58 Peach104839
Posted
There was a programme that I watched last year about people who had passed their tests and knew quite well how to drive, but were tortured by intrusive thoughts and extreme anxiety when driving.
The answer seemed to be to find a driving instructor who specialises in this kind of thing, then they help you sort out what is causing the problems.
Hope this clarifies things.
mac58 Peach104839
Posted
Peach104839 mac58
Posted
Thank you for taking the time to respond. Unfortunately driving lessons aren't really a viable option for me, and therapy does not work for me
I'll just have to learn to deal with it somehow
mac58 Peach104839
Posted
Aw Peach, I'm sorry. really hope that someone can help.
frazzled Peach104839
Posted
Hi peach; You typed that you never have pulled over when you are feeling so much panic? Why not? The only way I was able to overcome my driving phobia was to practice. I knew how to drive (didn't have any problem when I was younger). When I was in my mid 20s, I was terrified about having to driving.
My friends urged me to practice. Go somewhere where the traffic was light -- they actually suggested a mall. They told me that if I felt very panicky, I should pull over and do some deep breathing and try to relax and talk to myself -- you know like words of encouragement -- you can do this, etc.
In my case practice made perfect. I'm still not crazy about driving in traffic but I can and I have some anxiety but when I'm feeling that somewhat out of control feeling, I have no problem pulling off (I'll even get off at the wrong exit if I'm on the so-called freeway and sit out the panic). Also, I found that I'm much less anxious if I drive with the window open. Even in the winter I crack it open. Maybe I don't feel so boxed it, I don't know.
I suggest you just keep trying. You're going to have to drive -- drive around the block, then maybe two blocks, etc. until you feel more at ease behind the wheel. If it worked for me, you CAN do it too.
Sending you vibes of courage and strength.
You too can do this.
thomas96833 Peach104839
Posted
I could have wrote this post when my anxiety was bad. All I can say is that it did pass. It's nothing to do with your ability to drive, just how anxiety has manifested itself worse so because your are probably alone in the car.
I do a lot of driving and the sensations are horrible. You are focusing on your symptoms more than driving which is a starting point to change.
The thing with driving is a lot of it is done subconsiously which gives your mind chance to wonder, how often have you driven somewhere and can't recall how many lights you stopped at or types of cars you passed?
I found that grounding myself helped a lot, especially when it struck on motorways and you can't stop. Inside of thinking "I can't breathe' which is adding fuel to the fire of anxiety, think how many cars are around you, count them out loud. Look at the colours, say them, focus on the car in front, what do you notice about it?
It sounds stupid but it did work a lot.