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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brittany8 05/21/2015

I have brought this up before, but this still seems to be aa struggle for me. I absolutly hate driving over a bridge. If someone is with me, it is ok, but if I am alone, I hate it. I become terrified for the little 1 minute it takes to cross it on my way to work. I have tried so many different things, but it really does not help. As soon as I get over the brodge I aam fine almost instantly. Please some advice. I am actually thinking of moving closer to work, so that I don't have to face it. But then I feel like I would feel worse because I caved in to the fear.................

jeneiram 05/21/2015

You say that if someone is with you, you are OK. So what I might try is keeping a photo of someone in your car where you can see it, or even just visualize a person you love, and then before you get to the bridge talk to them. Who cares if it looks like you are talking to yourself to other drivers. :) Talk to the "person" (photo of the person), ask them about their day or whatever. It will put your mind on that person and maybe help you relax. You can even try talking to the person about how grateful you are for them, for helping you cross the bridge without being scared.

If you have a hands-free device on your mobile, you could try even try calling a friend or family member who could help talk to you and be with you while you cross the bridge. Set it up in advance like, and let them know and tell them not to talk about the bridge. Talk about anything else other than the bridge. Talk about something you like - or have them recite a poem for you to listen to or something. :)

You could also try recording something - the voice of a loved one, a book, a poem... and play it while you drive. Audio books (books on CD) are awesome for relaxing your mind while driving, I have found.

hyperpgal 05/21/2015

I have issues with bridges too--not sure if they are the same as yours--a friend won't help me---because I'm thinking of what could happen if the bridge goes down---so I make sure I roll down the window, take off my seat belt-make sure my seat is far enough back, I also get out this little hammer thing I have to break windows and make sure it is handy...I have a small really messed up bridge I have to pass over to get to work--I try to make sure I am not waiting for the light sitting right in the middle of it----I make sure there is enough room in front of me to be able to pull around the car in front of me into oncoming traffic-the traffic in the other lane is light when I'm coming and going--so I usually can find an out....

I know it sounds ridiculous==but I've read all about how to get out of a car going down---knowledge helps me feel like I have some kind of control in the matter---I don't know if that helps you -or not---i really like the recording idea jeneiram had---I might use that in a different context.

Calebb 05/21/2015

I have several of the symptoms of the GAD and in one incident had a strong fear of a height. Well I regard that general thing as hard to get over. Though yes I guess possible; desensitization "training" eg.

But on the other hand, with something hard to get over, one can sometimes go out around. As in moving closer to work. Ppl here and there are always doing things to reduce the stress in their lives.

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