Anxiety And Driving.

[Gamereign555]

I have anxiety when sitting in the passenger seats. I don't have the anxiety when driving though oddly. Maybe it has to do with being more active with my hands and arms or being in control.

 

[Srain]

Congratulations on quitting smoking, you are doing great! I quit after over 30yrs and it actually helped my anxiety in the long run but I tend to get anxiety sometimes with just the thought of going out. It can start as I'm getting dressed, my chest starts to tighten and I can't seem to breathe. I get entirely frustrated with myself when I go through this.

It does help to have my Big Girl with me, though she rides in the back very quietly. I will call her to peek over the seat at stop lights for a little treat so I can pet her and hug on her. It helps remind me I am not alone.

Hang in there,
hugs,
Rain

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I

I have anxiety when sitting in the passenger seats. I don't have the anxiety when driving though oddly. Maybe it has to do with being more active with my hands and arms or being in control.

I am having anxiety today. I did'nt have to drive on Monday after all. I will have to drive tommorow. I am dreading it even tho I posted about it and got some really good suggestions. I will do a good job. I will drive ok. I will be pleasantly surprised. I will get my errands done. And I will feel relief when I am home.

I did not used to be this way.. I hate anxiety. I really miss smoking. I am still quit. This will be the first time I drove on the freeway and not be smoking. It helped to smoke when I drove. I am glad I have quit. I do not know how many days I have quit smoking now, i have lost track,.

I actually dread driving tommorow. I will do it. I just do it. I hate having anxiety before I have to drive. I have alot of good suggestions. I had alot of help and support. I need a break from driving. I know the anxiety is about not wanting to do something, I have to do. My choice is taken away. I have to. I have a rebellious streak. I do not like havng to do anything.

I will chew gum, this will help. I will take a shower. That will help. I will give myself alot of positive self talk, all of these things help. I need to take all of you with me and I will be ok. I thank you for the responses. I appreciate it alot. I hope it does'nt rain. I do not need that. I will be ok. i just wish I could be ok now. i do not need this today. Today I do not have to go anywhere. I could be enjoying today is I did'nt have this anxiety.

I need to do something fun tommorow. I need to order some books, I do not know if I will do that. I will get a mocha frappe at mcdonalds after wards. I treat myself after wards. I need to take my dog to the vet and I will need to go to the pharmacy and pick up my anxiety medication, I am out. If I had some I would'nt have the anxiety. I am supposed to be making an appointment for my pschiatrist for a follow up apptointment. I will need to have a fasting blood test tommorow.

So I have alot to do. I will do It. Then I will be back to normal. I hate having to drive. I used to love driving. I wonder if I will love driving again. Well I have to practice my positive self talk now. I will do fine. I am a good driver. I do allright. I will be pleasantly surprised. I will do better that I think. I will have a good day. I will accomplish alot and I won't have to worry about it . One day at a time.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Well I drove. I gave myself a extra half hour before it was time to go. I did the onramp ok. I got on safe. I had anxiety. I chewed gum and turned on the radio. I noticed that I had problems where the road was full of potholes. It was'nt as bad as it was but it was bad. I get dizzy. My eyes get blurry. I tried to relax. There was alot of bi trucks to drive by. I did ok. I was'nt pleasantly surprised. It was ok. I am glad I got my anxiety medication. I just went to the pharmacy and mcdonalds .I do not have to do freeway driving for a awhile now. I am relieved I will need to find a way out of this phobia. Probably if I had to drive on the freeway every day, it would get easier. I do in town driving ok. i don't have anxiety then.

Idid the best I coud do. I had a hard time. I am sad that I had a hard time. It wa good that I gave myself a extra hhalf hour. It helped me to relax before went. I dreaded it. I am proud of mysef for trying. I know it is hard, but I keep on trying, and I will get a handle on this thng. I am glad it is all over. I hate dreading to drive. I did the anxiety exercises but it did'nt help. I am just so glad that it is all over.

 

[Eleanor]

Go gizmo, oh yeah, Go gizmo! :tup: For her next death defying feat, she will be the fill in Tiger trainer for Sigfried and Roy... which, I suspect might be a teensy bit easier for you :(. Very VERY proud of you for doing so much to take care of yourself while doing what you needed to do. Well Done.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

((((Eleanor))))
Thank you for responding with that. It made me feel better. Nothing like some humorous validation to put things into their proper prospective. I have to drive tommorow. It isn't very far.

Thanks for the encouragement and the support. I really appreciate it alot. You really helped me to put it into perspective. I was brave to go out there and do it anyway. I didn't give myself credit for doing that, I was too busy being hard on myself for having a hard time. Everytime I face down my fears and accomplish something I will remembr your encouragement.

I really appreciate it.

 

[Eleanor]

You are most welcome.

Hard is Hard, gizmo. And courage is courage. "Should" doesn't really enter into it. Credit where credit is due!

 

[Pale Warrior]

I have nothing but admiration for you Gizmo, more power to your elbow :)

 

[Deleted member 12723]

:eek:I will have to drive again next Wed. I have some errands I have to run. Lucky I have the anxiety medication. It helps. This time I do not have the dread of driving. It will be something that i do. I will find out if I will have the anxiety right before I have to go.

I will do it. I have no choice. I am having a hard time with things that take my choice away. I can't chew gum or take sweets because I have to have a fasting blood test for my pshchiatrist. I do' nt see him until the 24th of April. So I have the relief of not driving.

I will have to et gas. I have a hard time getting gas. I can do the pump, and I can pay for it. I just don't like getting gas. I need to journal on these things.

I want his phobia to go away. I am so wary of it. i FEEL RELEF when I don't have to drive. It is only an 1/2 an hour worthof driving. It is something to do. I will take my dog to the vet, she had a parasite and we had to give her medication, Now we need to get her tested to see if she still has it. She has to get her booster shots.

I will have to go to the pharmacy againl I will have to go to the lab to get a blood test. Not my favorite thing to do. I can do it. I've had some bad experiences with some bad blood tests.

we will go to get mocha frappes afterward. I will treat myself. I really think f I haed to driv every day, I would be doing better.

I am doing ok right now. I don't feel anxiety. I am relaxed. And I do not now know why. Why someimes I have a hard time. And others I do not? Mabe it is being exposed to it. I do not not know why. I wish I ould get a handle on this. I thank all of you for listening to me and for supporting me as I work thru this.

I think being able to talk about it heps. I thin etting feedback helps. Thanks for listening.

 

[Pale Warrior]

Gizmo, I wish you could meet my husband. He had similar issues with driving and bad hyper vigilance and has created his own coping rituals, including a wearing a special pair of driving shoes (designed for race drivers) and his black leather gloves. He still won't drive with me in the car. We tried and it was too awful for both of us.

What did help was getting some driving lessons in a dual control car with a very calm and patient instructor. And I know he listens to speach radio as distraction.

I love your reward strategy, I will mention it to him.

Have you thought of using some aroma therapy oils?

Keep posting if it helps and take it easy on yourself. x

 

[Deleted member 12723]

((((Pale warrior))))

I would like to take lessons in a dual control car with a very calm and patient instructor. I hav'nt thought of aroma therapy oils. But I do believe i the power of it.

I am doing ok. That is what I hate about the anxiety thing, it comes and goes on its own. But for right now, I am ok. I need to create my own coping rituals. I can drive with others in the car.

I am not feeling the anxiey now. Mabe by the time I drive. I am so sick of this. I did'nt used to be this way.

I used to love to drive. I never had any problems. It has only been the last year that I have been suffering.
I will check into the driving lessons. A refresher course. Who knows it could help.

Why does'nt yur husband like you to be out of the car when he drives? That it did'nt work out for you both.
:eek:. Onward I go. Thanks for the encouragement on keeping posting about it. Surely the answers will come. I am so confused:confused: I did not use to be this way.

 

[Pale Warrior]

Hi Gizmo,

My husband got his PTSD as the result of a road accident and for physical reasons was unable to drive for 7 years, so by the time he came to get back inthe driving seat it was a major problem for him. I am still amazed that he ever did it. It helped show me just how determined he is to combat his fear, anxiety and hypervigilance.

He says that he is too fearful of hurting me if we were to have an accident with him at the wheel. Having me there is too much for him right now. It will come. Slowly. With time.

I wish you luck with your efforts, keep going and don't be hard on yourself. x