[capricorn1975]

Is anyone else unable to drive long distances alone?

If it's over 50 miles I have to have someone with me.

[racee]

i used to love traveling alone.,...would drive everywhere always thought it as an adventure.
my car is a safe place as long as i do't leave it.
i think of all the things that can go wrong and what if i get a panic attack who will be there to talk me through it. and what if this and what if that...my usual sayings
if i know the town i am going to and i know people that live there now i am ok as long as it's not like over an hour and half away.

but i prefer someone with me...and thank god for AAA!!!! if i didn't have them i probably would never get in a car or drive

before i even drive to the store or across town i think of the best route to take in case i get a flat tire or if i have anxiety to take the freeway so i won't have to wait at stoplights as my anxiety grows..what happens if im at a stoplight and someething goes wrong i can pull over i'm boxed in with all the cars...and deffinatley if im in rush hour...those are hard times can be at a stand still for two hours

[sundog]

Hi ((((((Cap)))))) I don't have this problem, but I have a phobia of just about every other form of traveling (flying and other forms of public transport). The car is pretty much the only place I feel ok (as long as I'm driving!!). But the point is, I can very much relate to your fears because I have these same fears in other areas.

Does having a cell phone help? Knowing you could call someone if you got into difficulty? Or constantly reassuring yourself that you can pull off the road if you need to? Or how about putting a calming CD on?

Ugh. I really do know how hard these phobias are though. If I even think about having to get on an airplane I literally start sweating and feeling nauseated.

(((((((((((((((Cap)))))))))))))))) Wishing you all the very best.

[capricorn1975]

Originally Posted by sundog

Hi ((((((Cap)))))) I don't have this problem, but I have a phobia of just about every other form of traveling (flying and other forms of public transport). The car is pretty much the only place I feel ok (as long as I'm driving!!). But the point is, I can very much relate to your fears because I have these same fears in other areas.

Does having a cell phone help? Knowing you could call someone if you got into difficulty? Or constantly reassuring yourself that you can pull off the road if you need to? Or how about putting a calming CD on?

Ugh. I really do know how hard these phobias are though. If I even think about having to get on an airplane I literally start sweating and feeling nauseated.

(((((((((((((((Cap)))))))))))))))) Wishing you all the very best.

I managed to drive 250 miles round trip 3 years ago, I did have the radio on, but i was still a bundle of nerves!
I was so nervous and distracted that on the way back i drove past the toll on the bridge.... embarrassed i backed up and paid the toll after i heard the whistle lol.

Sundog, it is one of the few phobias i have except for fear of heights, and i don't know if i will ever get over it.

[madisgram]

hi cap can sure relate to heights and driving sometimes. the height thing i believe i'll always have particulary because i have no idea from whence it came.
as for driving-sometimes i even have it for short distances. for long trips sometimes the first day is the worst even if i'm happy to go see someone. i guess for me it's from unknown fears-free floating fears my T calls them-cause i don't project that bad things r going to happen to me. i'm just very anxious, hyperventilate, etc. i try not to focus on the fact that i feel like i can't breathe, put on music and sing-can't do 2 things at the same time, or just work thru the anxiety. i acknowledge it and then say, ok so i have it but i'll just keep on truckin'. my T said, what's the worst thing that could happen to u about this anxiety? i said "die". then he said well u aren't gona die over this so it's gonna be a good day! or sometimes i use my shotgun buddy-my dog-"mr.c.". that helps me a lot cause i pet him and drive with one hand. that seems to calm me down altho other ppl on the road may not be comfortable with that, .
then other times i'm a-ok. go figure. the mind is a wondrous thing.
maybe short stops along the way might help cause it takes u out of the anxiety if you get a frostee or sumthin', idk.
hope these tips may help.

[lavieenrose]

Hi Cap, I also get very anxious about any trip in any sort of transportation. There's always an element of the unknown, and I project all sorts of unpleasant outcomes, i.e. I'll get lost, stuck in traffic, spend too much money, substitute dog care will be inadequate, will feel socially awkward/restless/lonely/fill in the blank at my destination. I haven't taken a trip in several years, which makes me feel claustophobic, bored. Guess I'm not much help here. But I empathize.

[Rifler]

Hi! Oh my goodness! I, too, have this "trip phobia". It's horrid! Mine came out of nowhere. I was not in a car accident, no I even know has ever been in a bad car accident. But, suddenly, one day out of the blue - puff - here it was. It's easier for me to be the driver than the passenger, but not by much. It doesn't matter how far I have to travel. Right at this very minute, I'm dreading having to pick up my daughter from school, though she is less than 4 miles away. I used to enjoy driving, riding, road trips. I can't stand being the passenger. Back seat??? Forget it. I'm not going. It has taken me over 3 hours to get home from work which is a 22 mile drive because of the anxiety. I've had to miss therapy appointments cause I just can't get in the car. It doesn't help at all if someone is with me. No difference. The only thing that sort of helps is if I'm driving. I hate it though. I hate it. Mainly because I just want to do what needs to be done (going to the store, picking up my kids, visiting my parents, etc) and I can't without this huge anxiety looming and exploding everywhere. I wish I could offer you some great advice that would take away the problem. Just know that you are so not alone. I wonder sometimes as I sit in traffic how many others are like me, feeling trapped in their little cars?

[capricorn1975]

Originally Posted by Rifler

Hi! Oh my goodness! I, too, have this "trip phobia". It's horrid! Mine came out of nowhere. I was not in a car accident, no I even know has ever been in a bad car accident. But, suddenly, one day out of the blue - puff - here it was. It's easier for me to be the driver than the passenger, but not by much. It doesn't matter how far I have to travel. Right at this very minute, I'm dreading having to pick up my daughter from school, though she is less than 4 miles away. I used to enjoy driving, riding, road trips. I can't stand being the passenger. Back seat??? Forget it. I'm not going. It has taken me over 3 hours to get home from work which is a 22 mile drive because of the anxiety. I've had to miss therapy appointments cause I just can't get in the car. It doesn't help at all if someone is with me. No difference. The only thing that sort of helps is if I'm driving. I hate it though. I hate it. Mainly because I just want to do what needs to be done (going to the store, picking up my kids, visiting my parents, etc) and I can't without this huge anxiety looming and exploding everywhere. I wish I could offer you some great advice that would take away the problem. Just know that you are so not alone. I wonder sometimes as I sit in traffic how many others are like me, feeling trapped in their little cars?

Awwwwwwwwwwwww hun I'm so sorry it's so bad for you!!!
I'm lucky I have my mother to go with me on long trips otherwise I couldn't do it!

I hope someday it eases for you and it's easier for you!!!