Driving anxiety

[fuzyon]

So a week ago I started my first driving lessons and because I'm an anxious person I was pretty stressed out. Even though I knew how to drive I didn't know what it was like going on the road and I screwed up quite a bit. I'm personally not afraid of other cars or pedestrians but I just struggle with focus, I'm a little anxious when I drive because I try to focus, even though I lose concentration from time to time which is pretty bad. Lately I've been coping better because I built up a bit of confidence, but it's still pretty tough. Any tips for a newbie driver?

 

[pwarbi]

Funnily enough, driving is probably the one thing in my life that hasn't been affected by my anxiety, so in that way I've been quite lucky. I first passed my driving test at 18 years old, but didn't start to get anxiety till I was in my mid thirties so I guess I'd already built up enough confidence to feel at home on the road, even on my most anxious days.


For a new driver, I don't think there is a way to relax behind the wheel, other than by just driving as much as you can and building up that self confidence. I know people that have been driving for twenty years plus though, and even now they consider themselves a nervous driver and so sometimes no matter what you do or how often you drive, you might always be a little stressed when driving but you won't be the only one.

 

[fuzyon]

Funnily enough, driving is probably the one thing in my life that hasn't been affected by my anxiety, so in that way I've been quite lucky. I first passed my driving test at 18 years old, but didn't start to get anxiety till I was in my mid thirties so I guess I'd already built up enough confidence to feel at home on the road, even on my most anxious days.
For a new driver, I don't think there is a way to relax behind the wheel, other than by just driving as much as you can and building up that self confidence. I know people that have been driving for twenty years plus though, and even now they consider themselves a nervous driver and so sometimes no matter what you do or how often you drive, you might always be a little stressed when driving but you won't be the only one.

I guess I just have to cope with it until I get good at it, the problem is that my driving instructor has to intervene in a lot of cases and even though I'm still learning it kind of throws me off, lately I've been getting better though so that makes me happy.


You're lucky anxiety doesn't affect your driving, I just hope I can get past this point once I have a lot of driving experience. A little thing that makes me excited to get my license is to drive my friends around, that will be fun.

 

[pwarbi]

You have only had one lesson and only been driving a week fuzyon so I wouldn't get too despondent just yet, haha! A lot of anxiety issues are just down to having that belief and self confidence in yourself to be able to do something, and it's just the same where driving is concerned. The more you get used to it, the less worried you'll be about it, and so in turn your anxiety level will drop.


After you've had a few more lessons and then passed your test, you'll soon be driving around without a care in the world and any anxiety that you feel now will soon be in the passed and you'll soon be wondering what you was ever worried about in the first place.

 

[joshposh]

I got into a motorcycle accident a year ago and I suffered a concussion. It took me awhile to get back on a bike again and driving like I use to. But I do have anxiety when driving. It borders post traumatic stress as well. I might be driving slowly in the slower lane and a car would pop out of nowhere, and I would I would have flashbacks of the night of the accident. It does send a sharp response and I get really emotional. It's something I have to deal with on a regular basis and I take my time and watch for crazy drivers out there.

 

[Guest]

I used to be really scared of driving on the highway, but I'm fine now. Just took practice to get over my fear.

 

[Guest]

Driving is actually one of my favourite things to do. I love the feeling of being totally alone and not worrying about what anyone else thinks. Whenever I am feeling a little depressed, I just take one of my favourite CDs and just drive around, and get lost in the music.

 

[fuzyon]

You have only had one lesson and only been driving a week fuzyon so I wouldn't get too despondent just yet, haha! A lot of anxiety issues are just down to having that belief and self confidence in yourself to be able to do something, and it's just the same where driving is concerned. The more you get used to it, the less worried you'll be about it, and so in turn your anxiety level will drop.
After you've had a few more lessons and then passed your test, you'll soon be driving around without a care in the world and any anxiety that you feel now will soon be in the passed and you'll soon be wondering what you was ever worried about in the first place.

Well tomorrow I have my fifth lesson so wish me luck, I've been improving steadily although I still make a lot of mistakes. Hopefully those will be "sponged" out until I have my license exam. I think there's added pressure from the instructor as well, but I can't change the fact that he has to stay with me everytime I drive to guide me and prevent me from crashing.


How did your learning experience go? It would help me to know!

 

[pwarbi]

Well tomorrow I have my fifth lesson so wish me luck, I've been improving steadily although I still make a lot of mistakes. Hopefully those will be "sponged" out until I have my license exam. I think there's added pressure from the instructor as well, but I can't change the fact that he has to stay with me everytime I drive to guide me and prevent me from crashing.


How did your learning experience go? It would help me to know!

Well first of all I shall say good luck with the lesson.


As for my learning to drive experience I was at a bit of an advantage as my father was a mechanic and from 16 years old I followed in his footsteps and I too started working in a garage. I was driving the cars around from around 15 years old, so when I eventually came to take my lessons and my test, I'd already been driving on and off for a couple of years! I took around 5 lessons (as I think that was the minimum I was allowed to take before i could take my test) and then my test where I passed first time.


Like I said, i was at a bit of an advantage so it might not be the best thing to compare your progress with mine, not back then anyway, haha!

 

[nytegeek]

My advice is to just take it slow and pay attention. Catching things before they become problems is best, but don't let it make you to anxious. A little bit of apprehension can serve to keep you aware, but to much will cause you to make errors in judgement.

 

[wecantfixthat]

Yeah I know what you mean. When I first started driving I got anxious especially when turning left on a wide full intersection, but it gets easier very soon. You just got to drive with a teacher that is patient. I know some people that are so impatient they make the student driver and even more nervous wreck. Hopefully and most likely you will feel a lot more in ease the next time you drive.

 

[DDNatureLover]

I got my driver's license at age 16, drove a little, then used public transportation for years (after witnessing a car accident involving negligence, where someone died), and preferred not to drive. When i started driving again, even though I had my license, I decided to pay for a private teacher/tutor, and it made a big difference. My parents weren't the most patient, and my initial instruction as an adolescent was via Driver's Education in high school. I did fine then, but would have benefited from private instruction at that time. If you're able, I highly recommend that. Also, practice as much as you can, and start off slow, on back roads or empty parking lots, to build up your confidence, and gradually step up to more challenging situations.

 

[fuzyon]

I got my driver's license at age 16' date=' drove a little, then used public transportation for years (after witnessing a car accident involving negligence, where someone died), and preferred not to drive. When i started driving again, even though I had my license, I decided to pay for a private teacher/tutor, and it made a big difference. My parents weren't the most patient, and my initial instruction as an adolescent was via Driver's Education in high school. I did fine then, but would have benefited from private instruction at that time. If you're able, I highly recommend that. Also, practice as much as you can, and start off slow, on back roads or empty parking lots, to build up your confidence, and gradually step up to more challenging situations. [/quote']
Well before I started driving school I already know how to drive a car, but the one I'm using right now had different fuel and I had to adjust to it and that took me a while. Through all the stalling, wrong shifting and all the mistakes I've made in traffic I'm getting a little confident right now, tomorrow I have my 6th lesson but my driving has been improving steadily. I'm still scared because I don't really know how to approximate the size of the car but I'm sure that will come with time.

 

[roxyfermor]

I have moments when driving gives me anxiety but for the most part, behind the wheel is one of the few places where my anxiety lets go a little bit. I am usually pretty calm when I am driving, I think because I have to focus all my energy into not crashing. It occupies my mind so the anxiety can't and has to take a backseat.

 

[Laneorexorcist]

I'm 21 and I don't know how to drive even an automatic vehicle... so I can't really give you an advice, but I understand why you say that you can't focus. Sometimes when I am in a car with someone and they are driving, the simple idea of imagining myself go through that situation and I became really anxious and sometimes I feel like there's no way that I can do something like that because, come on, parking seems to be one of the most difficult things while driving,

 

[amy88]

For me my anxiety with driving comes primarily from situations where I don't know where I'm going. If there's a case I might be in the wrong lane, for instance, or I don't know exactly what exit I need to take then I get all kinds of anxious. Also, I'm terrible at reverse parking, so if ever there's a case I would have to do that to go somewhere I basically avoid it at all costs.

 

[fuzyon]

For me my anxiety with driving comes primarily from situations where I don't know where I'm going. If there's a case I might be in the wrong lane' date=' for instance, or I don't know exactly what exit I need to take then I get all kinds of anxious. Also, I'm terrible at reverse parking, so if ever there's a case I would have to do that to go somewhere I basically avoid it at all costs.[/quote']
It's funny, I'm pretty good at parallel and reverse parking because my instructor told me what I need to look for and I kind of understood the first time. It also helped that I've been practicing parking for a while before I started my driving lessons. Now, 2 weeks later, I can safely say that I've been getting better and I make less and less mistakes, but I still have a lot to learn. At least my anxiety has dimmed down a little.

 

[amy88]

It's funny, I'm pretty good at parallel and reverse parking because my instructor told me what I need to look for and I kind of understood the first time. It also helped that I've been practicing parking for a while before I started my driving lessons. Now, 2 weeks later, I can safely say that I've been getting better and I make less and less mistakes, but I still have a lot to learn. At least my anxiety has dimmed down a little.

I used to be good at it! Back when I went for my driving test I could do it pretty comfortably. But I think it's one of those things I didn't do for so long, that now I am paranoid that I'll hit another car or something...and the idea of that is super anxiety provoking.

 

[rootle]

Yeah I haven't learnt how to drive properly yet, I'm more than old enough but there have been a number of inconveniences that have prevented me from getting around to it. But I have driven a little bit and it definitely bothers me. I have poor concentration and I'm pretty worried that I might mess things up. The thing is this is one situation in which the anxiety is actually warranted, the consequences of screwing up while driving can be disastrous. I guess I just need to get into the habit of driving but I doubt I will ever completely enjoy it.

 

[fuzyon]

I used to be good at it! Back when I went for my driving test I could do it pretty comfortably. But I think it's one of those things I didn't do for so long, that now I am paranoid that I'll hit another car or something...and the idea of that is super anxiety provoking.

I haven't driven without the instructor yet so I understand why it may be difficult for you. I'm still learning and I imagine I would be a lot more cautious while parking when I'm alone in the car, you get a sense of safety when he or she is near you because they can push the break in case something bad happens. For how long have you been driving?