Driving Help

[aka]

Hi everyone its been awhile since I have posted anything. Back story to this thread is that I had a minor car accident last year. I slipped on some black ice and hit a snow bank. Two weeks after that I started having anxiety while driving. It was not anything too bad and I have continued to drive until two weeks ago when the fear got much worse.

It started on a day it was snowing a bit on the way to work. I freaked out that I was going to lose control of the car and had to call in to work since I could not make it. Since then I have been having a terrible time driving. I keep having a sensation that the car is slipping and it freaks me out. I have had passengers in the car tell me that they don't feel that slipping sensation so it is basically my mind playing tricks on me.

Anyone have any advice on how to deal with this? I am having a hard time getting to work since it is a long drive. I am seeing a therapist and my anti-anxiety meds are not helping. Thanks

 

[Deleted member 12723]

About two years ago I had the same problem and can understand what you are experincing. I too felt the car slipping and was always so exhausted after having to drive on the freeway. I would be a total wreck afterwards and drove in the slow lane where I felt safer.

I got a lot of advice about how to make it easier. Eventually I actually quit driving.

Now I do so much better because I am on meds that have helped with the anxiety. I did not want my fears to become a self fulfilling prophecy come true.

I still dread driving on the freeways but once on them, I do just fine and even pass cars that are going too slow. I visualize coming home and it is a really good idea.

Mabe just a thought you could try and find others to drive you for now if that is possible.

I have not had a ticket nor an accident so it was all pretty much fears out of control in my mind. I do not do long distance drives anymore however. I do so much better in town.

I encourage you to keep on writing your successes and fails here to get all of the support you can. I do bring a cup of ice water with me and when I am done driving I smoke a cigarette to calm me down and relax before I go on the road again. I am also finding other roads to take than the freeway and I try to avoid traffic jams.

I wish you the best and starting here is an excellent idea. You are probably a very good driver. I think you feel normal for what you have been through.

 

[aka]

Thanks for the advice Gizmo. I have been having people drive me places though I can drive short distances by myself. My biggest obstacle is getting to work which is about 45 miles away. I have been staying with family near work so I can drive or take a bus if I need to.

I feel really sad and pretty stupid for allowing this fear to run my life. But am thankful for family that are trying to help me.

 

[Neverthesame]

Have you noticed if the anxiety level is affected by speed, distance, time in car, traffic density, pedestrian density, day, night, visibility, having to turn at intersections, more of a straight path, radio on or off? That sort of thing.

What you could perhaps try, is rolling your window a little bit, not so you freeze to death. But when a vehicle loses traction with the road, it makes a very distinctive sound. If the senses you use to interpret the behaviour of the vehicle on the road are lying to you. Maybe you would benefit from using different ones?