Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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countrysinger4life 07/19/2014

Hello

I struggle with anxiety with almost everything in life and it has made me isolate myself in order to feel 'safe' and 'calm'.

One of my biggest fears is being in the car. I will not let ANYONE drive me anywhere, I will not drive the highway and I will not drive anyone remotely far (more then 10 miles for an average) or a new place I have not driven before. During the winter, any driving at all gives me panic attacks.

It's very debilitating because it keeps me from doing things with my friends and/or meeting new people. I only have a handful of friends and a few of them don't understand why I can't just "get over it". I isolate myself for the most part so I don't have to be put in a situation that brings up one of the above fears. I can't visit my friends who live farther away and I usually just make up some reason why I can't hang out because I'm so scared of what might happen.

I am in the process of trying to find a different job which is a different story but it's hard as well because will only work right around my house mainly for fear during the winter.

Does anyone else struggle with this and how do you deal with it??

Thanks for listening!
Sharon

countrysinger4life 07/19/2014

Can anyone relate?

MsVicky 07/19/2014

Hi Country, I can't relate to the driving because I don't drive, but I can relate to the anxiety and how it can limit what you do and how you do it. I have also have anxiety all my life.

Like all of us anxiety sufferers you want to be in control, but that is not always possible. Sometimes we do have to let go, feel the fear and do it, anyway, like the book says. If that is not possible for whatever reason then you need to be very kind to yourself and treat yourself the way you would treat your very best friend, with lots of compassion and understanding. You can then try again and again.

You will eventually come out of this, whether it is with the help of medicine, or therapy, or your own willpower, but you will come out of this and enjoy, or at least tolerate driving. Trust that you can do it, because you can :)

countrysinger4life 07/19/2014

Thank you MsVicky!

Lauriegirl 07/20/2014

I get nervous on the roads. You don't know who's on the roads or their experience. I've had idiots drive around me. I don't drive because it scares me so bad. I let my boyfriend do the driving. I was in an accident once that probably caused my nervousness on the roads. You should push yourself to get out there. I understand it would be hard. Let someone else who you trust do the driving at first. Get used to it slowly is my advice.

SevenVA 07/20/2014

I have had several panic attacks while driving. It is scary but after I got on meds the last time I have not had any issues.
I live in a rural area and must drive practically everywhere to shop and visit family and friends so I can understand how you feel.
Have you seen a doctor and are you taking any medication?

countrysinger4life 07/20/2014

I am not seeing a Dr or taking any medication. I was going to look into seeing someone but I wasn't sure if it would help and the process of finding a Dr and going makes me anxious as well. Go figure. I think I will look into it though. It's worth a shot. Glad I am not alone in this.

SevenVA 07/20/2014

You certainly are not alone. Everyone here has a story to share.

peterthegreat 07/21/2014

I went to a psychologist. She said her patients who have anxiety will not drive. You are not the only one.

jeffstueber 07/21/2014

I don't have any trouble driving. But I do understand the frustration when people say "just get over it" and you can't. My ex said that to me about my OCD. You can't just get over that stuff.

Does ERP help at all?

countrysinger4life 07/22/2014

What is ERP?

xbluewavechicx 07/22/2014

I have had trouble with driving for a while... Thats where a lot of my anxiety started actually. I haven't ever driven on a freeway by choice. and I haven't driven a car in over a year. My husband has been driving me everywhere and we only have one car now so I used that as my scape goat. We moved so much the last couple years that I had developed a fear of getting lost so thats why I avoided driving. Recently I realized that this is not good and I need to drive on my own again. I take it day by day and the more I am in the car the better I feel. Everyday is the opportunity for a new accomplishment so I suggest making a list, say you are going to drive to this spot, or you are going to have someone else drive, and little by little start crossing those things off the list and to feels a lot better. Hope this helps! Best of luck :)

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