Driving dread

I have been driving for 30 years and up until about 12 months ago I enjoyed it. I would drive anywhere and all over the place. Recently I have been getting horrible panic attacks while driving on the most basic of journeys. More recently even my journey to work is wrought with fear and anxiety. So much so I have to have escape routes which adds a good 20 mininutes to my commute. I suddenly go dizzy, I can't swallow, my heart races and I just have to stop. I'm so concerned that one day my erratic thoughts and actions will cause an accident... what's happening to me ? Can anyone help ?

Hello Michellejiggy: Unfortunately I can't be of any help with this. It sounds as though you're having panic attacks. I don't know why, after 30 years, you'd begin panicking while driving. But I know these sorts of things happen. I'm an older person & retired. Back when I was working I used to drive as a part of my work & I enjoyed it. But I gave up driving probably going on 10 years ago now. I presume I could do it if I needed to. But I don't want to.

The usual approach to treating this sort of problem, I believe, is "exposure therapy". California therapist Kati Morton has a video on her YouTube channel regarding exposure therapy. And I recall her saying that it's very important to find a therapist who is experienced with.

I see this is your first post here on PC. So... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

Hi Michellejiggy, I have been a driver for 34 years. Always enjoyed driving a lot. For some reason I have developed a fear of driving. It started about 2 years ago and has gotten worse. I still drive, but not nearly as much as I used to. I'm very frustrated with myself, because I was always a really good driver with an appropriate sense of caution, but able to remain relaxed while driving. I do not know what has caused me to develop this driving fear, except that I see/hear too many people speeding and that frightens me. And it seems like almost every day I read or hear about terrible car accidents. I wish I had some great advice for you, but I don't. All I can say is, keep driving and know that you're not alone.

I have a fear of driving. It started with my breakdown in 2012. People here drive erratically now more than they ever have been. I only drive when I need to--usually when my husband has a medical procedure done. I used to like to drive around the countryside, but even that is gone.

I was having great fear driving. Basically my Catastrophic Thinking about driving was so intense it was interfering with my life. I did CBT work directly for this issue. I still get worried about doing so but my De-Catastrophising skills have given me my life back - including driving.

LOL!! I have NEVER driven!!! Have never even possessed a permit!!!!! I don't feel that I can.

Humour at the expense of another - especially when that person is reaching out - is never funny. It is bullying.