Phobia help

Thank you, I will

zana0566,
Did you have time to go to the site Byzantine posted? I think it will be helpful to you.
Is there a mental health clinic near you where the cost of therapy would be low or based on income?

My hope for you, zana0566, is to find a driving instructor that will take you to a large, empty parking lot so you can get behind the wheel for even a minute to start the process of desensitizing your fear. Get the rules of the road pamphlet from your state and learn it forwards and backwards. You might even consider asking friends to bring there vehicles to the lot so you can practice parallel parking, changing lanes and passing. You might even inquire at the police department or highway patrol to see if is someone would help you without charging.

You can do this but must find the gumption to start.

Hippie,
I did go to the site that TheByzantine gave me it was very helpful and definately sounds like me. It does help to know that there is a name for this and not just me who goes through this. I have had anxiety since I was young especially social anxiety. I have looked into a mental health clinic fee or free based but no luck in my area.

TheByzantine, Thank you for the ideas, very good ones! Your right I just need to find the way to get me to start all of this...really thats the biggest, hardest part. I know what to do, why, how, but my mind says noooo don't do it it's too scary and you will not be able to do it. I do believe that a good counselor (one who won't just say "go drive and let me know how it goes") can help me make it to that first major big step...the start. It may be a little time before I can start counseling but I feel I have to have that before I can take that step.

Wishing you the best, zana0566. Please keep posting so we know how you are doing.

Love yourself. Be well.

I hate to be the one who says what alot of people are thinking...you have every reason to be afraid of driving...a little touch of fear in every driver is a good sign...you're not talking about taking a stroll your talking about driving a car...you say the last time you drove you blanked out and were scared...that is not good...you can't feel that much fear and be a safe driver...but then somewhere inside you there must be that confident person who can and will drive...just by admitting that fear here and to yourself is a big step forward...you've been taking baby steps since you first posted this...try sitting in a car behind the wheel without turning it on or doing anything but looking at the controls the steering wheel the brakes the gas the mirrors all of these things are your friends...just sit there and feel the fear taste it let it envelope you dont try to run from it the fear is your friend and you can handle it...just like you handled writting about it here...just have patience with yourself and Im sure you'll do fine...good luck...

zana, I've been following your posts and you must be so encouraged by all the positive responses you've been receiving from the Byz, trance and others. I thought practicing driving in a large parking lot was an excellent idea to start breaking down barriers that are in place. Surely your son or daughter could assist you with this. That's how I started, my Dad took me to a large parking lot in a shopping center, and from there we graduated to residential streets after I got my learner's permit. One step at a time adds up. I hope you will continue to search for a therapist for low income families. Sometimes it takes a lot of digging. I'm confident, in your own time, you will accomplish your goal. If I could do it, I know you can.

Thank you TheByzantine, you have been a great support!

Thanks trance for your good advice and support!
My daughter will sometimes pull the car over in our neighborhood, just to be funny, but also to see if I will do it, and she will say "ok your driving lets go" and get out of the car and come around to trade sides. The first time she did this I sat at the wheel but thats as far as I got. It is a goal to sit at the wheel/in the drivers seat more often. Like you said, baby steps.

muncie2010 Thank you, Those are great ideas your right. I hope to get to that place , or should say "I will get to that place", but even sitting behind the wheel is very frightening at the moment (and talking about it). Definately doing my research on Therapists, no luck yet but thats a must and I can't give up. Thanks muncie2010!