[melissac309]

I drive now. And actually did in the past. But there was a huge gap up until this past April where I didn't drive. There's so many factors involved in why I didn't. But anxiety pretty much was the biggest reason. Like I'd have panic attacks just thinking about it. One of My friends helped me get to the point of driving but that first time recently I was having a panic attack pretty much the entire time. That doesn't happen anymore but I still get anxiety. I'm always terrified I'm going to get into an accident. And I honestly hate being on control of a vehicle. I'd rather leave that to someone else. But does anyone else get anxiety over driving?

[baseline]

Originally Posted by melissac309

I drive now. And actually did in the past. But there was a huge gap up until this past April where I didn't drive. There's so many factors involved in why I didn't. But anxiety pretty much was the biggest reason. Like I'd have panic attacks just thinking about it. One of My friends helped me get to the point of driving but that first time recently I was having a panic attack pretty much the entire time. That doesn't happen anymore but I still get anxiety. I'm always terrified I'm going to get into an accident. And I honestly hate being on control of a vehicle. I'd rather leave that to someone else. But does anyone else get anxiety over driving?

Hi, I also have anxiety while driving! Unfortunately I have to drive everyday. My friends and family often tease me about being such a serious driver!! They say they beep and wave at me while driving by and I ignore them. That's because I'm focusing on driving. I especially am fearful of driving at night and over bridges. I have had panic attacks while driving and thought I might pass out at the wheel. It got so bad that I told my doctor. I was put on an anti-anxiety pill. It did help somewhat. now that I know it is a panic attack I tell myself it will pass and it usually does within 20 minutes. I also play music I like and do breathing exercises. It has gotten better. I wish you luck I know it is a horrible feeling!

I had anxiety about driving for years. Driving at night still scares me some especially if there are no street lights. I am better at driving during the day because I pushed myself by driving a little farther everyday. My greatest driving accomplishment was driving from Birmingham to Nashville all by myself last month. It was the farthest I had ever driven by myself. I grew up with a mom who has terrible driving anxiety and can't be more than five miles from her house by herself and is terrified of the interstate.

[melissac309]

Oh yes driving at night is terrifying to me. I mean I do it. But I feel like half the time it's hard to see. Cars on the other side of the road... Their headlights are always way too bright usually because they have their high beams on.

I don't drive everyday right now But I will have to be doing that starting in January... Right now the job I have is only twice a week and not even 10 mins away so that's nice.

Oh yeah I have certain ways I drive. I hate the high ways and I usually stay in the right lane the entire time unless I need to merge into another lane because of an exit or something lol. It bothers one of my friends because of oncoming traffic. I usually slow down and let them on.

I also hate driving with other people. This particular friend is one of the few people I feel comfortable with driving. But most people give me an anxiety attack. Which sucks.

[Perna]

I'm not really afraid of driving I don't think but I have been driving less and less and am worried I am getting isolated in my house some because I won't just get in the car and drive somewhere anymore, I usually guilt my husband into driving me places. I think mine has more to do with not liking to be alone outside the house? I guess "in charge" has something to do with that. My worst driving fear is turning left onto a busy 2-lane road, I pretend the looking back and forth and back and forth for an opening drives me nuts but the fear is there that I'll "jump in" wrong and get in an accident. It's like the old jump rope days

A year or two ago when we were driving back from vacation in Florida we had to drive through the night and I could not see well when I had to exit and got terrified, the lights all wrong and multiple roads and I had to stop and get my bearings to find the proper service road (we were stopping to eat around 3:30 a.m.) so now I'm slightly worried about driving at night (I'm 64) and get anxious too that my husband might be driving too fast at night (and that we might hit a deer or something) on our more rural roads.

Mostly when I am afraid, I find a way around it so my fear is less. I'm not above turning right instead of left and taking a different route or finding a place close where I can turn left into and turn around so I have a right turn onto the road or taking a bigger, better lit road at night, etc.

[melissac309]

Turning left and getting into an accident scares me room I HATE having to turn left on a busy road. and I tend to have to do that on my way home from work . most people would think in wait too long or miss my opportunity to turn left on the road cause I wait until I feel it will be safe enough. I completely understand that though.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Yes, I am a terrible driver and have had several accidents (only one of which was serious 30 years ago), so I am a little apprehensive about driving, despite 35 years experience and five years before that of motorcycling. Turning left (right in my case of course) naturally needs especial care, but all comes right if you wait I find. Other drivers can get a bit snotty but if you time you pulling out so oncoming traffic is reasonably close so they cannot get out at the same time as you they are left behind and out of your life forever. (I give myself aversion therapy by watching YouTube videos of Russian car accidents - they seem to be crazy people with no fear of death - you might wish to think twice before trying this).