Driving anxiety

[jaden11218]

The only advice I can give is to practice with someone. I was a nervous driver when I first started, and it always helped to have someone go with me that I thought of as a "good driver". That with if I needed help in a situation, such as merging with traffic, I would have someone I trusted to guide me. That was years ago, and I am very comfortable and confident driving in most situations now. Practice makes perfect. The more you do it the more comfortable you will get.

 

[Casm1ra]

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' date=' 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? [/quote']
I understand you fully. It took me a year after graduating to decide it was time I finally learn how to drive because I was sure I'd cycle everywhere -- a very unrealistic goal for someone who doesn't even know how to ride a bicycle. Putting that aside, I can relate with the losing focus bit. When we get overwhelmed, especially those of us who struggle with anxiety, I think we subconsciously cope with the stress by blanking out i.e. losing concentration.


This continuously happened to me until I stopped seeing my driving instructor -- who was very distracting and stressful -- and I decided to let my stepdad teach me. Not only am I already comfortable with him, but his teaching style fits my learning style. He is quiet and teaches me new things as we go instead of trying to force a lot of information in my head at once through non-stop talking.


That being said, my suggestion to you would be to find an instructor you are comfortable with and to take it easy on yourself... it's going to take time, but the more you practice the more natural it will become. I suggest starting by driving in parking lots and in areas that you know by heart, such as neighborhoods. Everything will be okay. You're doing a lot better than you think.

 

[fuzyon]

I understand you fully. It took me a year after graduating to decide it was time I finally learn how to drive because I was sure I'd cycle everywhere -- a very unrealistic goal for someone who doesn't even know how to ride a bicycle. Putting that aside, I can relate with the losing focus bit. When we get overwhelmed, especially those of us who struggle with anxiety, I think we subconsciously cope with the stress by blanking out i.e. losing concentration.


This continuously happened to me until I stopped seeing my driving instructor -- who was very distracting and stressful -- and I decided to let my stepdad teach me. Not only am I already comfortable with him, but his teaching style fits my learning style. He is quiet and teaches me new things as we go instead of trying to force a lot of information in my head at once through non-stop talking.


That being said, my suggestion to you would be to find an instructor you are comfortable with and to take it easy on yourself... it's going to take time, but the more you practice the more natural it will become. I suggest starting by driving in parking lots and in areas that you know by heart, such as neighborhoods. Everything will be okay. You're doing a lot better than you think.

It's kind of tough to switch instructors at this point. Even though he's really condescending I feel like I'm learning how to drive with him slowly but surely, I'm willing to put up with his attitude because I can't risk switching the instructor now, I'm nearly done with my driving lessons. I would've loved to learn from my dad because he's been a driver for 30 years but that's not legal here in Romania. Your suggestion is good and I can definitely use known neighborhoods to practice car handling but I also like to go to new places to see if I'm good at spotting the signs and adapting to the place I'm in.

 

[Robilas]

Feeling anxious when driving for the first time is pretty common and you shouldn't worry about that. You just need to focus only on the road without being distracted by anything else. Personally music helped me a lot ,since it helped my staying focused on driving and being relaxed in general.


The worst part about driving is being afraid of hitting another car, since that can be a terrible experience, but you shouldn't be too worried as long as you are totally focused.

 

[amy88]

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?

I'm 28 now and I've bene driving since I was 16...so 12 years now...its really only the parking side of things that really worries me..sometimes if there's a ton of traffic I hate that too.

 

[kelden]

I don't drive for my anxiety issues, the figures for car accidents every month or year always trigger the paranoid side of me. Probably yo should try take it easy, I can't, but maybe you're stronger.

 

[NormaD]

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' date=' 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? [/quote']
Maybe not a tip, but I can tell you a joke to think about on your next lesson, maybe make you laugh and help you relax. So, the one driving student was really anxious to be going on the road for the first time, and she kept gripping the steering wheel so hard that her knuckles were turning white. She looked so tense and rigid on her seat, so the driving instructor said to her, "Listen, relax a little. You know this stuff. This is not scary at all, in fact, just pretend that you're playing the piano. You love playing the piano, don't you?" "Well yeah", says the nerve wrecked student. "But when I play the piano, there aren't a bunch of other pianos coming at me from the opposite direction!"

 

[JGunterman]

There was a point in my life where I thought I would never learn how to drive. Granted, I was 15 and just starting to learn, but learning to drive a vehicle was surprisingly tough for me! Driving is surprisingly more complex than a lot of people imagine. There are a lot of things you need to do at once. When you're first starting, it's not nearly as instinctual as it eventually becomes. Checking your mirrors, speed limit, gas, and of course the road, all kind of pile up at once. My advice is simple - keep practicing. I'm actually still a pretty nervous driver, but I know that I'm also a capable driver. Eventually, a lot of the things beginner drivers struggle with become second nature to them. I failed my license test twice, but I kept trying and now driving is just a basic part of my life!