[lilypup]

I have driving/ riding in a car anxiety. I am seeing a new CBT therapist.

Progress I have made:
-will get in the car and ride around town with some fear (we live in a big city)
-I don't like riding on the freeway
-I'll drive around a radius of about five miles
-I won't drive at night
-I won't drive on the freeway

Today I drove to lunch and the grocery and back. I also drove to my bipolar group and back with my husband in the car. Tomorrow I need to drive to yoga by myself.

I'll keep hopping in this thread to post progress.

[lilypup]

Drove this morning to take the car down for a repair. Will likely have to go pick it up. One goal I have this week is to drive around a tiny bit at night. Maybe just in the neighborhood and the out on the big streets a little.

[lilypup]

Drove yesterday to McDonald's and then to a quilt store. Also drove home from bipolar support group. Today plan to drive to yoga.

[lilypup]

Drove back and forth to yoga alone.

[lilypup]

Went to yoga again today. Drove back and forth alone. I want to drive some at night, just sort of around the neighborhood. But by the time it gets dark, I am really tired.

[lilypup]

Disastrous couple of days. Developed terror of riding in cars. Exhausted.

[GENISIS]

I can relate to you. I am 74, use to teach driving, now when I am a passenger I have to sit in the back seat, even that is no good. I get vertigo, and when I drive myself, like you I do not do tunpikes, nor do I drive at night.

[Chuva]

I'm incredibly scared of driving and haven't done so in 15 years, that is, within some months of obtaining my driver's license. It is due to a near-accident of which I can't remember a single thing, not even that it happened (but my parents were in the car with me and they agree on its happening). I've given up by now. I have too many other issues to address and this one is not bothering me too much at the moment. Of course it would be different if I had to go to work, but luckily I work frome home.

[KimberlyQ]

I'm afraid of driving, too. And ashamed of it - I feel like I am not a "real grown-up" even at 53 years old. I do have a license, and can drive if I absolutely have to (but that is rare) as long as it isn't dark, raining, and I don't have to take a highway or go anywhere unfamiliar. I avoid if at all possible - it terrifies me.

[Bes22]

Props to you for making progress! I too have really bad driving/car anxiety. It seems like your whole life starts to revolve around it. Anytime I need to go more than five miles (same as you) I have to find a ride. Finding a ride to work everyday is a pain! I have been on medications for over three years dealing with my anxiety and have also done therapy. Nothing seems to help. Keep your head up! Hopefully things will get better for both of us!

Originally Posted by lilypup

I have driving/ riding in a car anxiety. I am seeing a new CBT therapist.

Progress I have made:
-will get in the car and ride around town with some fear (we live in a big city)
-I don't like riding on the freeway
-I'll drive around a radius of about five miles
-I won't drive at night
-I won't drive on the freeway

Today I drove to lunch and the grocery and back. I also drove to my bipolar group and back with my husband in the car. Tomorrow I need to drive to yoga by myself.

I'll keep hopping in this thread to post progress.

[Nimazen]

Everybody here sounds just like me!!

I have been fighting anxiety and depression for the past 5 years and still not sure if its all in my head or is a real physical condition in my brain. Everyone I know including my family say that its all in the way I think.

I grew up in a country where I was never expected to drive because we have lots of population and public transportation options. But when I moved to USA I always tried to live 2-3 miles from work and took Uber to work everyday.

But now I married the man of my dreams and its not totally up to me to pick where I live. We cant keep buying houses close to work every time I change a job. I must drive though it causes me lots of anxiety.

Started taking Klonopin for my anxiety attacks and Fetzima 80mg for depression. Am driving on 30mph speed limit roads to work with my husband sitting by my side. Hope to be able to drive ti work by myself someday.

[BeaFlower]

Welcome to PC Nimazen!
This thread is perfect for me! I have a sort of driving phobia. Have had my licences for 6 years but till few months ago I practically didn't use it, I was terrified. BUT, now I'm really improving!! I didn't think I could, honestly. My therapist is helping me. What is working for me is to talk little little steps, one at a time. I began driving with someone and out of town, but now I can drive for a short time alone out of town, or with someone in town. Didn't try the two things together yet (alone in town), but step by step I'll arrive to it.
Don't give up, you all I thought I couldn't do it, but now I'm really doing it Step by step and with some help we can learn how to drive.

My father is being faced with having his license revoked. This has increased my own anxiety about driving as I now feel I am being monitored

[BeaFlower]

I don't think you are monitored. How you drive doesn't reflect how your dad drives.

[mindwrench]

I don't mind driving, but being a passenger causes me great anxiety. I have to know exactly where we are going, and when we are coming back if i don't drive and it has to be a distance I can walk or get a taxi back if needed. I have made no progress if anything I am much worse about it. If i rode to the store with someone and they veered on to a freeway to leave town, I would have to take control of the vehicle if they wouldn't let me out or turn around. I lost a job a few years ago due to the big boss of the company wanting me to accompany him as he drove randomly around the county looking at various properties. Thinking I could tough it out so he wouldn't know, I said nothing till I blasted his truck interior with breakfast, and got out when he stopped the truck and refused to get back in.

[Have Faith]

It took awhile, I had to begin by driving with my hubby. Then when he got tired of going with me to my appointments. I had no choice. And he needs me to pick him up on occasion. I picked him up from the airport last night. He is pushing me out of my comfort zone to help me. I'm a little better when I first get behind the wheel, but the nervousness makes it difficult to concentrate and I'very made errors that I shouldn't, almost causing me to get into accidents. It hope to get better with practice. A huge step up considering I was paralized by such fear that I once could'nt even leave my bedroom. It can be done!