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I'm scared to drive. How do I get over it?

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au_an
au_an

I'm almost 30 now and I still can't drive a car because I'm scared to drive. I suffer from anxiety and I panic a lot. So if I'm in a narrow road and there's a vehicle coming in front of me, then I would just panic and freeze not knowing what to do and which way to turn. I also don't seem to have a good understanding of cuts and angles, so I fear I would just bump into other vehicles or objects when trying to park. I've been recently diagnosed with ADD and I often find myself day dreaming and lost in my thoughts far away from reality, so that's another fear of me that I could be lost in a different world and cause an accident. I even panic to ride a bicycle on the roads but I still can manage somehow because if I ever see too much traffic or oncoming cars, I can immediately get down, move on to the sidewalk and keep walking with my bicycle and then start riding it again after everything's cleared and I'm more comfortable. Obviously I can't do this with a car.

These are some of the main reasons that I'm scared to even think about driving but not able to drive means i don't have the independence like i would want. I'm always dependent on someone and often begging my family members to give me a ride.

Has anyone been in a similar situation before and successfully overcome this? Is there any hope for me at all?

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • mike30343
    mike30343 au_an

    Edited

    you need to see a therapist to work over these issues . Or get someone to take you out to quiet roads and build up confidence again. Dont be hard in yourself just do a bit a at time Hypnosis might help to overcome the fear.

  • lisa215
    lisa215 au_an

    Edited

    Hi

    I know this isn't quite the same but I understand your fears. I started suffering severe anxiety back in June last year which triggered panic whenever I got in my car. I have been driving since I was 19 (I'm 51 now) and to suddenly feel scared was utterly overwhelming. I think for you the best course of action would be to find a good counsellor who can help with the anxiety. Once you find some coping strategies then maybe look at learning to drive with a compassionate instructor. It seems like you are putting pressure on yourself because you can't drive, all that will do is make you more anxious and the circle will never be broken. Learning to drive is anxiety producing even for the most robust and confident person so it's important that you get help with the anxiety and get yourself in a better place before you start. Remember that anxiety is just a part of you, its not all of you and you are not defined by the things you find tough at the moment. I struggle badly with health anxiety and the physical symptoms that come with it but I try and visualise my anxiety as a room that I can't always see the way out of, but I know the door is there and I just feel around the room and finding that door will eventually become easier to the point where I go straight to it rather than stumbling past it every day. Anxiety is a terrible feeling, it clouds everything that we do and robs us of the things that fulfil our lives and give them meaning. We will get there. I wish you luck my friend x

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