[JacksMom]

My family and I will be driving to Florida for my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary on December 22nd and returning home the 31st. As you may understand, traveling distances far from home makes me very anxious. What helps me is having addresses and phone numbers of people along the way … a sort of safety net if you will. I have never actually needed to call or visit any of the people on the list, but it gives me a sense of security to know, that there is someone, anyone, along the way who understands my anxiety. So if you or anyone you know lives between Washington DC and Florida, if you wouldn’t mind forwarding me their addresses (and if possible, phone number too), I would be forever grateful. Be assured that I will destroy the list as soon as I get back home. I realize this is an incredibly busy time of year for a request like this; however, just knowing that there are people on the way will give me an incredible peace of mind.

Again. please understand that just having a list like this will keep me from pancking and I will NEVER call or contact any of the people on the list. Just knowing that there is someone not too far away is enough to keep me going.

Thank you so very much for any help you can provide.

[I_WMD]

Well it is a 50 th anniverary....... So you have known about it for eeerrrrrrrrmmmmmmmm at least a year? And you already know you have issuses with traveling far from home. I will assume from past trips.

Gee JacksMom,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,And you expect to form some kind of bond or trust with P/C members on your first day here? And to believe you will get any response as to " sure stranger ,, I will give you my address and phone number"...................My suggestion is go to Doctor,,, describe your concerns,,,,,,,,,,and take a couple sleeping pills.

And I actually like meeting people,,,,,,,But that is the any help I'll provide. WOW.

[Perna]

Hi, JacksMom, welcome to PsychCentral (PC). I send you a personal message :-) It is a long drive, where are you driving from? I've made the drive several times but don't have trouble with trips.

[moregoodthanbad]

Gonna have to say the request is a tad bit scary!

My suggestion is call some Wendy's, Burger Kings etc on the way and ask who you are talking to on the phone. Then, if you get "stuck" with your anxiety you will have a familiar name to go to a public place and feel comforted.

But, My suspicion is this is a hoax!

[(JD)]

Why not google restaurant names and put their numbers in your book? Then, as you travel, you can call for directions and take a break. Or make note of organizations that provide assistance, or hotlines you could contact.

Also, I know in FL you can call 911 nearly anywhere, and on the FL turnpike you can call *FHP (for Florida Highway Patrol) and get any assistance you need. Just tell them you have a panic disorder, as they are trained in special circumstances.

I'm sure you understand why ppl don't feel comfortable giving out their numbers to a stranger.

[Cyran0]

Yup, I smell hoax. Primarily because it's not just PC people but friends and family too. What would my second cousin be able to do for a complete stranger with an anxiety disorder?

So, not a chance. But if I'm wrong and this is sincere, write down hotlines and hospitals available along the way. These are the only people who'd be able to help you anyway.

And if this is a scam or hoax of some kind, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Cyran0

[sabby]

Jacksmom

I completely understand your anxiety about traveling long distances. Last month a friend and I traveled from NH to Missouri and back again in 7 days. It was exhausting and somewhat nerve wracking. But what I found out on the way there is that there is a huge amount of restaurants and places to pull off the road and rest and find places that can be grounding and safe.

I wish you safe travels and minimal anxiety on your trip. Enjoy the party and the holiday!


sabby

[Perna]

Wow! Someone asks for a specific kind of help requiring a mere yes or no response and gets so invalidated it's not funny.

Presumably JacksMom knows what works for her, didn't ask for other "solutions" or to be dumped on by other people's own insecurities. If you don't want to give your name and address DON'T DO IT! But it sure doesn't make it look very safe around here to ask for what one feels one needs or to bare one's heart.

We kind of flunk the spirit of "be kind to strangers" test don't you think? A simple "welcome to PC, sorry I can't help you" would have sufficed?

[Cyran0]

I don't know about that Perna. Every post offered alternatives to the request (some more practical than others) and if it is a scam or hoax of some kind, I'm glad if I've made people think twice about giving out their personal information (as well as the personal information of others).

Safety first. I stand by my post.

Cyran0

[JacksMom]

i'm sorry this request has offended anyone. i sent a similar request to friends, and my husband thought that we might find more support if we reached out to fellow phobics, who are more likely to understand my anxiety.

he now see that that was ill-advised.

we'll find another way to get through this. please DO NOT SEND any names or numbers. any other suggestions would be appreciated.

perna and sabby, thanks so much for your kind words.

the restaurant idea is a good idea. and we'll look into routes that don't involve going on 95.

[sabby]

Jacksmom,

Please understand that this being a mental health site, people here are very careful about their anonimity(sp), not to mention that giving out personal information to folks we don't know online really is not a good thing to do. It's nothing personal against you, but everyone here (including you) needs to do everything they can for self care

As far as resturants and other places to go for safety, I found tons of them right off the interstates. I would say that in our trip, 95% of our travel was on the interstates and they had plenty of rest areas or exits to go for pitstops along the way. We were never far from anything that was needed on the trip. Thank goodness for that.....my bladder isn't too good anymore

Best of luck to you and your hubby!


sabby

[JacksMom]

i understand sabby. and i'd be leery of a request like that too. that is why i have retracted my request.

cyrano, i am ashamed that i am so crazy that i am scared to death of taking a car ride with my family to warm and sunny florida over the christmas holiday. but i am not ashamed of reaching out for help, because my fear is real.

wmdwright, you are right, i have had more than a few days to deal with it, but i have been so depressed and overwhelmed that i have not done anything about it. i simply have not been able to face it, but now i have to.

just knowing that there are people along the way helps me be able to deal with the fear.

i guess i should just try to to have faith that there ARE people along the way who are willing to help me, even though i don't know who or where they are before hand.

[sabby]

((((((((((((((( JacksMom )))))))))))))

Maybe now is the time to practice some positive thinking before leaving on your trip. Every day, state positively that you will all be fine and you will reach your destination in one piece. Even though mishaps can happen on any trip....flat tires (had one on the way home from our trip...LOL) or commuter backups and long lines of traffic can be frustrating...its all part of the travel experience.

Maybe you can bring games along or a good book to read (while not driving of course LOL) to help keep your minds off the things that bother you so much.

Do you have AAA? If you do, it can be a lifesaver if you have car problems (I did and it paid for itself on the trip). AAA also offers TripTiks that can help plan your way to your destination and back home again. They can point out the most user friendly route for you to take.

Another idea I just had was this....if you are affiliated with a church of any kind, you can always look up to see where your denomination of churches would be along your route and get their phone numbers in case you need assistance.

Things are going to be fine......you are doing everything you can to plan as best you can. Nothing more you can do but take that leap of faith and face your fears. Imagine how great you can feel when you arrive at your destination


sabby

[moregoodthanbad]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Perna said:
Wow! Someone asks for a specific kind of help requiring a mere yes or no response and gets so invalidated it's not funny.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

A huge burning knife would help me out, I ask sincerely...so, is that okay?

[Cyran0]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
JacksMom said:
cyrano, i am ashamed that i am so crazy that i am scared to death of taking a car ride with my family to warm and sunny florida over the christmas holiday. but i am not ashamed of reaching out for help, because my fear is real.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

JacksMom, please understand that my objection was not personal (as someone else pointed out). But you were new to the site, it was an unusual request, and we do occasionally get people with questionable motives here (it is the internet, after all). I care a lot about the people on this site and your request raised flags for me.

That you came back and continued to post is a really good sign and I'm beginning to believe that you had the best of intentions. Perhaps when you've established friendships on this site (which I sincerely hope you do) you'll have an easier time with such a request.

Please don't let this initial interaction with PC put you off, this is a great resource with great people.

Good luck.

Cyran0

[ocdchick]

I recommend buying some relaxation CDs-ocean waves work for me and the Pachelbel Canon w/ ocean waves really rocks!

The Solitudes Line is good-I highly recommend ANGELS OF THE SEA-dolphin sounds with music.

I'd invest in a CD player and some of these-have you also tried meditation/deep breathing?

What specifically makes you anxious about road trips?

OCDC

[bebop]

I am really sorry you are having anxiety over your trip. please understand this one thing. your first post asked for addresses first and if the person wanted to also maybe send phone number. first off I would never just ask strangers for their address. to me that sends up big huge red flags. there are many on the internet that prey on others then go in an rob them or much much worse.

[Peacemaker]

Hi JacksMom,

I don't believe this is a hoax but please understand that many here try their best to protect themselves in whatever way possible. Many here are victims of terrible abuse and more worse than you can imagine.

I am more than happy to provide any support that I can. Unfortnately, I just don't live between the areas that you are looking for. I live in Indiana.

Please contact me via PM if you would like and I will try to answer any questions that you may have.

Be Blessed,
Peacemaker

[JacksMom]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
bebop said:
I am really sorry you are having anxiety over your trip. please understand this one thing. your first post asked for addresses first and if the person wanted to also maybe send phone number. first off I would never just ask strangers for their address. to me that sends up big huge red flags. there are many on the internet that prey on others then go in an rob them or much much worse.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
i realized how that looked last night, and you might notice that i retracted that request at that time. i am no longer asking for addresses or phone numbers. i am now going the route of putting together a list of restaurants, hospitals and clinics between maryland and florida.

[Perna]

If there is one and you can afford to and have room in your car, I would pay to have a favorite college niece/nephew, cousin, etc. come to your house and serve as your driver?

Maybe you know college kids "here" who want to get down to Florida; could offer them a ride if they help with the trip.