Drivers License??!!

I just got back from my docs office and, again, had a panic attack while I was there - this happens every time that I leave my apartment, hence the agoraphobia. My problem is that my license needs to be renewed soon and my doc told me that he had concerns about my driving due to my panic disorder - has anyone ever had this happen to them? Can he revoke my license?

I don't know for sure - I know the state I'm in seizures is a question on the license registration...A doctor though doesn't have (I think) a way to report such things...and I don't think they can.

I think the only way it would get revoked because of it is if you had accidents that were panic induced, or something. I lived in a small town, and a man had epilepsy and still had his license, so I don't think a panic disorder is something they'd take it away for.

Well, just feel blessed that you are ABLE to drive. I was 18 years old the last time I drove, and I'm 42 years old now. At first I quit because I moved from small population province in Canada to HUGE city in California. Talk about SCARY!!!!! There were more cars surrounding me than in all of Canada put together. LOL.

Afterwards, though, I wanted to get out onto the roads leading to the foothills and get used to the new environment. But hubby wouldn't let me. It was just another way to control me. Whenever I wanted to go someplace, I had to ask him to take me and pick me up. He had the ultimate control. I remember the baby having a respiratory infection and I wanted to take him to the doctor, but hubby wasn't concerned. I had to phone my Associate Pastor to please come pick me up and take me to the doctor. And he was fuming when he saw hubby outside, watering the grass, and waving at us. He just couldn't understand how someone could act that way. I even thought of secretly taking the car out at night along some side streets and teach myself the stick shift because I wanted so badly for some independence. But I always chickened out.

Now, of course, at 42 years old, I'd probably suffocate in the airbag EVERY TIME I slammed on my brakes. LOL. I definately know I'm not invincible. Learning to drive is for the youn'uns. It's just too scary now, so I'm totally dependent on other people....and that does nothing for my self-esteem. I can't even go grocery shopping by myself.

And now with my anxiety, I could NOT bear the fact that there are people sitting all around me in their cars, and people watching as I make this turn so they can make that turn, and just the whole art of driving is very focused. I don't like to be noticed. I want to blend into the background. And with driving, that's impossible.

So if you have an anxiety disorder and are able to drive, please do not take it for granted. You can actually leave the apartment and just drive around the block and come back home. It would feel like an achievement and very fulfilling.

Maybe I should learn how to fly a plane. Yeah, people can't see you up that far in the sky!!

God bless,
Sandy