[KellyCA]

Hi I'm new here. I occasionally get anxiety just from driving down the street or on the freeway. But mostly driving over bridges & large over-passes. If I happen to get stopped (due to traffic) in the center of the bridge then the panic really sets in, its a terrible feeling. I start shaking and try and figure what is my best way out of this situation. I have been driving for 30+ years so I really don't understand this. It has been going on for several years now and seems to be getting worse. I have not been in any kind of accident on a bridge or anything like that. I take Ativan daily when I have to drive to work. And have been taking that for a few years so it probably not as effective as it once was. Any suggestions of anything at all, would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

Kelly

[elevatedsoul]

i also have this anxiety, amoxophobia

its a strange one... but i get scared/nervous just from riding in cars, im doing a little better lately but i still can't drive!
im not sure what caused it or how to deal with it, i just try to put it in the back of my mind when i need to go out so that i can make it from point a to point b without having a panic attack

a year on ativan definitely would increase your tolerance, i take klonopin and ive been trying to restrict how much i use because my tolerance got so high i was taking 5-8 at a time to battle the anxiety, coming down from the klonopin caused more anxiety in me so thats why i try to avoid taking benzos at all costs because when you try to stop the anxiety comes back so hard

im not sure what advice to give but i just wanted to let you know you're not alone and maybe you have amoxophobia as well?

best wishes

[hvert]

Hi, I don't have a solution for this either, but like you, I've noticed that it seems to be getting worse as time goes by. It's frustrating and it makes no sense. For me, it's long bridges and tunnels.

I try to breathe and block out the panicky feelings/thoughts. I focus on the cars ahead of me and the end, if it is in sight. I distract myself with a conversation or the radio or seriously focusing on breathing. I try to stick to the lanes furthest from the edges, also.

Hi Kelly,

I've had a fear of driving ever since I started driving. It was always a source of embarrassment for me, since in this society, a guy is supposed to love driving. The car is kind of symbolic of manhood. So, I tried my best to hide my fear. I would pick routes to drive where I felt most comfortable, and until I started dating my wife, I tried to avoid having any passengers, since looking anxious made me feel even more embarrassed. There is something about the uncertainty of not knowing what other drivers will do and the sometimes complex road patterns that caused me anxiety. Also, I didn't trust the vehicles I was driving. I had an intense fear of being responsible for passengers as well. About 8 years ago, I finally stopped driving completely. So, at least you are still getting in the car and driving, and that is very important. I completely gave into my fear.

It is mysterious how some phobias seem to just suddenly develop. During the past several years, I've been developing a fear of elevators. I feel very panicky now when getting into an elevator, and will choose to walk up the stairs if given the opportunity.

[lala-land123]

I have been battling this for more than ten years. For me, I cannot drive on highways, therefore I've been "stuck" in my town for 11 years.

What's more difficult than the driving anxiety are the people who don't understand. Family members who live out of town and want you to visit but you can't. It's frustrating.

[LaborIntensive]

Well let me rant and I am sure many here will appreciate it.

I used to drive around the city as part of my career. I had never known so many idiots could be licensed to drive. You have the race car moron of which there are many who cut in and out of lanes all in the effort to get "just that much further ahead" but yet is you stay in the same lane you find that eventually you will be passing these idiots anyway.

Then there is the nutjob flying down the right side of the road where the slowest drives are trying to exit and enter the roadway. They do a great job of rear ending or cutting off drivers just trying to get on the highway/interstate.



And you can't forget "Joe Cool" who parties day and night and smokes weed before leaving for the house. I have seen these fools run lights, swerve into another car and flat fall asleep at a red light.



So, due to these sightings and experiences I too have developed a driving phobia. Starting 2 years ago I noticed I could no longer drive anywhere of any distance and especially avoiding interstate travel as each time I did make these trips I would arrive a nervous, angry wreck. In this go-go, quick, gimme gimme society it is driving that reflects the greed and self importance in society best.


Any thoughts?

[KellyCA]

Thank you so much for the replies! Wow, and here I thought I was the only one.
ElevatedSoul - No, I don't have amoxophobia, I am fine when someone else is driving (unless its my son lol) And if someone is with me and I'm driving the anxiety is not nearly as bad, but for the most part I will still avoid bridges/over-passes.
Hvert - I do all that if I have to go over bridges etc.
This probably started for me about 5 years ago. So, I'm not sure what "clicked" or "un-clicked".

Thanks again everyone!

Kelly