Anyone else have driving anxiety?

[Beachies]

I'm just curious as to if anyone  here struggles with panic/anxiety while driving.  I had my first panic attack out of the blue in my car and that's where it all began.  I felt very dizzy and like I was going to pass out at the wheel.  Absolutely terrifying.  After many medical tests, they couldn't find anything and concluded it was anxiety.  During that time the association between fear and driving had sunk in.  That being said, I can drive a few hours away but would love to be able to drive long distances again. 

Anyone else struggle with anything similar?

[BeckyV]

That's how it all started for me. Get on top of this before it becomes worse. A lot of times if you don't get a handle on why you had the panic attack, you will find that the anxiety will grow and find its way into other areas of your life. At least it did with me 

Good luck!

[Beachies]

I unfortunately didn't get a handle on it at the time so it did creep into other areas.  All throughout my medical testing it wasn't brought up that this could actually be panic/anxiety attacks.  I wish I was more informed about it at the time that this could be a possiblity.  The whole time I thought I was going crazy.  Too much fear crept and sunk in before I really understood what was going on.  Although I'm much better now, it's been a long and frustrating road to say the least.

[tigerpaw]

Well here is my take on driving anxiety.  It comes from the fact that your in tight quarters and your more aware of yourself due to paying attention too your driving.
It can be somewhat terrifying to say the least.  I would sweat, panic, and completely come unwound just thinking about getting in the car.  For me at least the meds have helped tremendously.       

[Beachies]

Yes, the meds definitely help.  Although I still have some dread when thinking of drivnig a long distance...I remember the day where I could drive for hours without thinking a thing of it!

[Lanie]

I used to be terrified of driving, and I hate to admit it, but I'm still afraid at times It took me a few years to get my driver's license, and I have been driving now for 3 years this summer.

My only advice is to start small and work your way up in time. I started off driving to the grocery store, then across town, then to the mall a few towns away, and then etc etc until I was able to travel comfortably across state to visit friends. I haven't gone out of state yet but I plan to soon. I also deep breathe and try to keep my attention on the road as much as possible. I find that when I am the most alert and focused I am not as scared.

[BeckyV]

The meds have been a lifesaver for me. Started out as just terrified of highways, like where my 1st panic attack occured. Then it was short drives, then it was just the thought of having to drive somewhere... and I used to LOVE jumping in the car for long road trips. Loved my car, loved driving, and driving fast! Now I can hardly focus on what's playing on my iPod because I'm focused on my breathing and sweaty hands.
Took so much for granted, but am working on the road to recovery with therapy and meds. I just want my life, and all the little things I took for granted, back!

Good luck to you, you'll get there!

[markidee]

Yes! Traffic is the worst. It can be like clausterphobia and agoraphobia on wheels! Bless you for sharing.

[nyiaca]

I would also advise getting help right away. The same thing happened to me, and the anxiety didn't just go away, it got worse.

[wyrick.samantha@yahoo.com]

OMG! I have felt like I was alone for so long. I am so sorry that you all have to struggle with driving anxiety as well.

I have been struggling with anxiety about driving for two years, since June of 2008. It is so terrifying. And I have completely given up at some points. At first, I still tried to get out in highways and take the usual routes to work and school and when I go other places. I take alternative "safe" routes and drive really slow. I live in a really small town and have to drive 20 miles to go to a grocery store. I don't do that at all anymore. I have even found places on my "safe' routes that scare me. I only go places in the small county I live in.

I know that avoiding the situation only breeds more fear. However, the fear of trying again is also very frightening to me. There are people in my family who are more than willing to help me learn to drive again and I have many friends that want to help as well. Its really become a terror for me. Its gotten to the point that I even sometimes have nightmares about driving.

Its my wish that all of you and I as well get over this somehow!

[Daisy131]

i had one really bad bout with it in april- i had some serious derealization and had to pull over and chill out. it's horrifying. you aren't alone!

[wyrick.samantha@yahoo.com]

So does anyone have any idea how to get over it? Or how I can get up the courage to get back on the highways and drive? I am so desperate to get better.

[Rae Rae]

I got my very 1st panic attack while driving 3 years ago.. my anxiety got worse after that & I was just like you, afraid to drive or go in public. I avoided two-lane highways for awhile b/c I was afraid to go fast & wanted to be on a safer road to pull over if I needed to. That fear went away once I got a job doing what I liked to do! It was an on-call job so I had to drive alot & then found myself pretty much always driving on the two-lane highways w/ a worry in the world! That lasted about 9 months....... Then suddenly this April I got a panic attack on a major highway on my way to work & everything has gone downhill since. I lost my job, my anxiety became worse, I constantly worry, I have depression, I randomly started getting intrusive thoughts, & now am also afraid of driving AGAIN. I have been avoiding the two-lane highways & even can't sleep well the night before if I know I have to drive more than a 15 min distance the following day. I hate it so much!!!

[Beachies]

Thanks for all the replies and advice everyone! To those of you still struggling, I empathize and so feel your pain.  We're not alone in our struggles with this.  I must admit drugs have helped (mostly Xanax).  I just hate the irrational fear of it all...especially when I took driving for granted all of my life until the panic attacks began.  My goal is to drive 5-6 hours alone.  Someday, I'll do it again! :)  I just really really feel for anyone going through this.

Baby steps...

[cnelson8611]

This is what started it for me too.

8 years ago, while I was 7 months pregnant, my mother and I went on a drive down the highway. My anxiety was already kind of high being pregnant but suddenly out in the middle of (what seemed) no-where, I started to panic.
My mother, who didn't have a license at the time, actually had to drive from that point on. We were just going on a pleasant drive in the countryside and even after my attack I felt better and relaxed. However I haven't been able to go anywhere past my comfort zone since.

I live in a smaller city. My comfort zone is like a big wall surrounding all four points, North, East, South, West and I cannot go past them for fear of another attack.

Yes, my anxiety has been on it's ups and downs since. There were times I was even scared to drive in town yet I knew I need to (a lot of responsibilities) so I just kept up with driving at least in town.

[Rae Rae]

I actually just got a panic attack while driving YESTERDAY!!! I didn't pull over during it but my heart was pounding extremely fast.. I just tried to ignore it. I eventually did pull over afterwards & took a Klonopin b/c I couldn't stop shaking & kept getting tingly on my hands & feet. Ughh I hate it so much!! I felt fine once I reached my destination & the rest of the day... today I've just been bored & a little depressed & get palpations sometimes. I was doing so well & I was feeling great & so confident, I don't know what happened!?   

[CoolCalmAndCollected]

Does anyone get RIDING anxiety?  I don't know if I've had any panic attacks while driving, but tomorrow I'm going on a trip in the car with five other people and I won't be driving.  This is the perfect set-up for a panic attack.  I have to make sure we don't go at night or I'll be more prone to it.  I can ride in the car at night, but on a long trip, if we're on the way to our destination (not on the way home) I might break down.

[laa43]

Unfortunately a panic attack doesnt care where we are when it decides to hit us. It is definitely scary when it hits us while driving because then we begin to get more anxious about getting behind the wheel. Remember, once you have your first panic attack, it can come on anytime without any warning, even when you don't feel particularly anxious at the time. When my panic attacks were bad, (pre-celexa) I used to get panic attacks while driving especially in traffic jams when cars were at a standstill. I don't have it anymore while I'm driving in my city, however to this day, I make sure I have a xanax with me when I go more than an hour out of town alone. It's the fear of having a panic attack while driving that bothers me most. I feel fine however, on long trips if someone is with me in the car. If you can keep something like a xanax with you that may help tremendously. I know for me, just KNOWING I have something like that on me can actually KEEP me from having one. Putting on some good music you like, opening the windows for some fresh air.....one of the most important things is self talk. You tell yourself it's going to be fine, you can do this, etc. It really does help! And Beachies, yes, I remember the days when I would drive anywhere by myself without a care in the world! I still love to drive...I just make sure I keep my meds on me!!!

[Cpt_Stunning]

 do, I haven't driven a car for over 9 years now, going to take the bus into work tomorrow.

[Persnicketypatterns]

My driving anxiety is horrible. I tried to go to the store today and had to pull over for like 30 minutes and pop an orally disintegrating xanax. And getting on the freeway? FORGET it! I live in Houston and there is always traffic and maniac drivers.

[Princein]

I'm 21 and I'm just learning to drive now,  doing a pretty good job of it actually.  My best suggestion for building your confidence again is to take it slowly, drive around your town, then drive on a known highway that has a few exits that lead back to your town.

[Beachies]

Thanks Laa.  I carry Xanax with me too at all times in my purse.  It does indeed give me a better feeling just having it along!  It's totally my negative thinking or what ifs that lead me into an attack while driving...I start getting dizzy, my hands and arms feel numb.  I can drive about 2 hours but that's about it.  I think to beat this, I'm just going to have to take a leap and take a long drive.  I was even thinking a book on CD would help keep my thoughts distracted.  I just have a feeling that I won't be able to cope with one away from home and on the road although all of these years, I have always managed to cope :)  I hate to see anyone dealing with this though, it's awful...

[jinxy1]

I absolutely haev been dealing with the same situatoins and it is so hard!!! I have been going to therapy which i am not sure if is helping me.. I am okay to drive with someone but driving alone ugh is another story.. I increase my leaxapro after talking to the dr and it has helped with the heart in my throat feeling but still have some days i cant even get into the car by myself....

[hinduannex]

like u my first attack came while i was driving.it terrified me so much to the point where i no longer drive period.i used to drive constantly,long distances road trips etc,now a trip to walmart is painstaking.anxiety has completely takin over my life and i just want it back.but while driving now i feel fear that im going to pass out at the wheel or lose control idk.just the thought of 1 wrong move and its over i think is what scares me the most.the fear of not being in control like when the first attack hit.and im moving from illinois to south carolina in about 2 weeks so hopefully the anxiety will subside before a 14 hour drive

[MsPanic]

I do sometimes. As soon I become panicky, I get paranoid about the windows, door locks, & my seatbelt. Its my fear of being trapped or unsecure. So after 5mins or so, I got 2 reverse anything I did/didnt do when I got into the car. Then Im usually okay after that.