Fear of Driving

[Guest]

I have never considered what I have as being a phobia until recently. I have panic attacks while I am driving. This is the only time I have them. I do not know why this started to happen to me. I had never been afraid before and loved driving anywhere. I do not mind driving close to home this only happens when I have to drive a distance from home. It started in 2010 while going over a bridge. It was made worse when a couple of years later I slid into a guard rail on an icy overpass. I was put on paxil and I removed 99% of the existing stress from my life yet the attacks persist. Not all the time but when they do I can't shake the anxiety they leave me with. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Beth. I am a 23 year old male who is, at times, deathly afraid of ANY driving which involves venturing into unknown territory. There are thousands of people like this. Don'ttttttttt worrryyyyyy you'll be fine. Just practice practice practice and force yourself to face your fear no matter how hard it may be, and no matter how tiny the baby steps may be. Important thing is to FORCE yourself to make progress and eventually...you'll find yourself free of the fear. You're further than me at this point so you'll be fine. Type "fear of driving" into Google and read the results, there are many people who are infinitely worse than you, you're fine.

 

[Guest]

I have a very similar problem as you and am also looking for relief. I suffer from OCD and take Zoloft for it, but it does not seem to help with the driving. Mine started right after I gave birth to my son and started breastfeeding, so I wonder if hormones are contributing. I also was in a few accidents including one when I totalled my car and was traumatized. I think that is a factor, coupled with my predisposition to anxiety and also being afraid for the safety of my children in the car when I am driving. I am also "afraid" of bridges and avoid highways. It is interfering with my life and where I can and can't go. In addition, it is SCARY because when you are having the physical reactions to anxiety and panic, it makes you feel like you are not in complete control of your vehicle.

 

[janemariesayed]

Years ago I used to drive all over the country but now I can only get around my local streets. Fast major roads are a big no no. For some reason, I've got myself paranoid and think I'm in danger.

 

[Rinka]

I just recently started to learn how to drive. When I started I was very nervous and my instructor didn't help.
I had booked 30 hours intensive driving. Which well is supposed to be intense, but that was something else, really. I have never driven before, had no idea what I really had to do and she never ever showed me how to do it. She showed me a few diagrams and then off I went. She was on the phone while I was driving, she seemed to be aggressive every time I suggested to go to quieter areas. She send me in my fourth hour on a dual carriageway 70mph and then audacity to complain about my driving, that my basics are none existent, even though she never really showed me and taught me the basics.
I stopped the course after 8 hours and was an emotional frack. I wasn't even able to start the car, without getting panicky and crying.
It was horrible.

The thing is though, I now know that it was not my fault, but the instructors. She should have showed me how it all worked and should have been more patient. I have had now 16 hours with another instructor and I'm almost ready for my test. He told me that I only need some more practice and some manoeuvres need to get better, but I might not need another 10 hours.

I think driving is an activity where you need to be aware of yourself and judge your surroundings accurately. The thing is with panic attacks and anxiety you are not able to do this accurately. You might get more brake friendly or slower then the other traffic and that can endanger other people, even though you actually do is to not endanger.

 

[janemariesayed]

What a terrible driving instructor @Rinka I hope you put in a complaint. Surely, as it is illegal to speak on the telephone while driving, it should be illegal while instructing too. She must have been briefed before taking you out and if she wasn't she should have asked questions. I'm so glad you overcame the fear she put into you.

You are right about the panic attacks. I may not be in the process of an attack in the car, but I have done, and now I drive too slow on the fast roads. I'd be a danger.

Really, really, really good luck with your test.

 

[Rinka]

@janemariesayed i have complained about her, to her company, which seemed to not very interested and to the for driving instructors responsible government body. So I'm waiting for some news from that now.