Driving fear and Mitazapine

When my anxiety was at its worst I hated driving (I was learning to drive at the time). Having a snappy driving instructor didnt help but the thoughts of getting into (and being essentially trapped) in a car for an hour was awful. I hated going fast, felt out of control, had horrible claustrophic feelings, felt like I had to get out (not good when you're doing 40-50 MPH in the dark) and was restless, fidgety, kept sweating, racing heart. I didn't tell anyone (especially not him) as I was so scared of what he and others would think.

Sometimes, even now, I hate going fast in a car. Feel out of control and panicky.

Beta blockers can help with physical symptoms of anxiety. I haven't tried Mitazapine so can't comment. I hope you get it sorted. Don't put yourself under pressure to learn to drive or pass quickly etc. I found I did and it made it worse, especially with people commenting all the time "when is your test? how is it going? do you enjoy it? how are you finding it? what car will you get when you pass?"

I hope things go well for you and you're able to talk to someone. I wasn't at the time and wished I had been able to!

Hi. I have suffered with depression for about 18 years on and off. I am on tablets for it at the moment. I have suffered with an anxiety attack once, a few years back, scared the hell out of me making me very nervous if I am ever in the same situation. My mum suffered badly with anxiety when I was younger l, to th  point where she couldn't leave the house. My close friend is a sufferer now, even on tablets she still gets it. If there is any help or support I can give you I would be more than happy. X

..after a car accident at the beginning of May I am now a nervous passenger, a month ago I got my confidence back but only if I'm driving. I'm still slower and more carefully than I was. X 

I can't blame my mum either, I always thought if I had gone through what she  in her life me I wouldn't be here let alone suffering with Anxiety, Depression and Agrophobia, she is one tough lady. She now lives in Cornwall, has her own car and credit card and is always off shopping on her own..to my dad's horror. Lol. So, I know there is light at the end of the tunnel. 4 of us are on tablets and the one I mentioned earlier is on diazepam too for her anxiety attacks, I feel for her. She can't do anything on her own, quite often she has had to leave her shopping and run out of the store as she can feel one coming on. Once she even had to leave her son, it must be horrible to be like that. :-( As for driving, there is no rush, my brother is 40 and he can't drive due to panicking and falling apart during driving lessons..Not everybody drives, there is plenty of time, you're still young. Please don't feel isolated, now a days it is a more accepted and more recognised, although maybe a little embarrassing for us, people can be very understanding should it happen in public. I'm always here, my inbox is open should you need me. X 

Hi Dean, 

I drove for 28 years but began to get Sooo stressed out that I gave up 4 years ago. I don't know if I will drive again but consider myself a bit of a 'Green supporter' so trains/buses/walking/ are my current modes of transport.  I take fluoxetine and quetiapine for anxiety + depression; you are not alone.

Best wishes, Angela

Hi Dean, I am 26 and i havn't past my driving test either. Frankly i dont feel like i am a safe driver on the road. I had a driving test once when i was about 17 - 18 and i nearly ran over a lolly pop lady !! haha I knew at that moment that driving was not for me. So its ok if you dont feel safe in cars. Oh and i actually joined this forum too because i felt isolated and needed to talk to other people with the same symptoms. It is really helping to be honest. I suffer from Anxiety and Deppresion, i was put on medication but i stopped taking it because it actually made me worse. I have found that supplements like fish oil and supplements that help you concentrate work wonders for me. I have been on 3 different types of medication but they never helped in the long run. Also having a healthy balanced diet helps a lot too. For me anyways, maybe it can help you too? All the best anyways!

Hey deanalex I know this thread is a yr old but still thought I'd reply I hope things are better now. I am for the most part a mirror image of yourself I get anxiety my most recent attack was 5 days ago( had been off smokes for a month) now back on as coping mechanism I'm a 28 yr old male and still on my learners in western Sydney I too get embarrassed and ashamed due to peoples ignorant and impulsive comments such as " how are you gona take girls out etc" iv only had a 2 yr relationship since I was 20 it's funny I'm replying this to u now in the drivers seat of a car park while my cousin is walking last week I turned the car on then off and so on, then reversed and forward etc. moral of my story is that You are not alone my friend anyone else who does can add me Facebook please don't b shy helps to talk man. michael Pahuta