Driveing

[lyle]

Does any get Anxiety so bad they cant drive or is it only me?? I cant even get in the drivers set of the car.i used to drive all the time but about ten years ago i started have bad anxiety when i was driving and it just kept getting worst. That is one of the issues me and my wife r going thru right now.And no i have not gone to the DOC. this is really hard to even type let alone talk about.

[Morning Glory]

I used to get horrible anxiety driving.
I did pretty well on short trips in familiar places, but horrible on trips away from home.
Bridges were also very hard for me on the freeways. I still have a really hard time letting anyone else drive me anywhere.

Since your anxiety started when you were driving, driving triggers it. Anxiety builds on itself when our own fear of the anxiety or panic attacks creates a snowball effect.

If you don't want to go to the doctor my suggestion would be to try to drive to one close familiar place until you get comfortable and then expand to other places until you are comfortable. Only do that if you feel you can drive safely.

There are non addicting medications that can help if you choose to see a doctor. Sometimes medication is helpful when we are trying to rebuild our coping skills and rid ourselves of that second fear that creates the panic attacks.