[amante]

So, I've been suffering with nighttime driving anxiety for a few weeks now. I discussed it with my PDoc on the last visit, who said check for vision changes in my glasses. Well, coming back from Niagara Falls last weekend, the darkness came and I was on a dark road, my sister was my passenger in the car, well I just freaked out and was a complete and total mess - driving was horrendous, I was all over the road and felt like I was behind the wheel for the very first time ever, I was in a complete state of major panic/anxiety attack. the darkness in the road felt like I was falling off the edge of the earth. I was so scared. Has anyone else experienced this sort of driving at night anxiety? any helpful tips would be great.

[zana0566]

I can relate as far as driving and anxiety/panic but I have never driven and its a major hurdle I am trying to get through. You felt a sudden loss of control in your driving when you couldn't see as well as you should and maybe you have never driven in that kind of darkness before? Do you always feel that when driving at night or just that incident?

My advice would have been to stop driving until you got yourself back in control. If your sister can drive, she should have taken over. You should not drive again until you are absolutely sure you are capable of safely driving. Lives are at stake.

[zana0566]

Originally Posted by amante

So, I've been suffering with nighttime driving anxiety for a few weeks now. I discussed it with my PDoc on the last visit, who said check for vision changes in my glasses. Well, coming back from Niagara Falls last weekend, the darkness came and I was on a dark road, my sister was my passenger in the car, well I just freaked out and was a complete and total mess - driving was horrendous, I was all over the road and felt like I was behind the wheel for the very first time ever, I was in a complete state of major panic/anxiety attack. the darkness in the road felt like I was falling off the edge of the earth. I was so scared. Has anyone else experienced this sort of driving at night anxiety? any helpful tips would be great.

Sorry Amante, I didn't see before that your first sentence says you have been suffering this panic and anxiety for a few weeks. It may take a little time to get that nighttime driving confidence back again. I'm sure you will get it back though. I don't know of any good tips I wish I did. I do want to ask if you feel any panic if you are the passenger and someone else is driving in the dark?

[Hippie]

Night driving is tricky when you're in top form. It's downright hazaerdous when you can't control the car. You need to tell your therapist about the attack and go with his/her advice.

[Stranger2]

I have had the same experiences when I was younger.. I use to drive big trucks.. Once darkness hit I would be blinded by the headlights of oncoming traffic also from traffic coming up from behind me.. It's like my vision would get all twisted up.. I had to stop driving at night..It's strictly early mornings for me now..

[amante]

I spoke to my PDOC last night at my session about the driving. He said that I need to get my eyes/vision checked out as the eyes do deteriorate with age. I can say that I am going to give up the night time driving until I've had them checked and perhaps get whatever eyewear is needed to help. I know lives are at stake and I would never put my life or any other person's lives in danger. My sister was unable to drive as it was a rental car and she is doesn't have a USA license or insurance to drive in America., thanks for the tips everyone.

Good luck, Amanda.