You are brave. I'm 30 and I don't drive. Like ever. I had my permit a few years ago but I gave up on it. I'm just too afraid to drive. Everyone knows and they are ok with it. My fianc wishes I drove for long trips but understands.

I struggle too with panic attacks while I drive. I'm 33 and understand that feeling of having so much of our life in front of us and it's being hindered by this stupid panic.
We are over thinkers....and nothing that we have thought about has ever happened to us....right?
I often have to pull over or call someone to get my mind off things. I will be praying for you....this is so tough and I wish I could take it away from you.

You are not alone with this situation. I HATE driving any more....and driving to the city or any big city (I live near Chicago)......HA......count me out! I bought a navigator to help me with the getting lost thing (Thank God for GPS's). I have finally gone on a few road trips and that has helped reduce my hate for driving (it's an evil necessity...lol).
I like to stay in familiar areas....especially at night. I also can NOT parallel park which is usually the norm in cities. I have been noted to park several blocks away from my destination in the city to avoid parallel parking.
For the most part.....I stay off expressways and tolls as much as possible. However, the GPS has made all the difference in the world. I refuse to be a prisoner and held hostage by anxiety. I too have missed out too much on my life.
Panic attacks are no fun.....I get that. The only thing I can tell you is to not give in to your fears. Take baby steps in taking small trips......get a GPS if necessary or possible and go to some place you have wanted to go to but were too afraid before. Instead of concentrating on driving......be thinking about the good time you will have when you get there.
Hang in there and keep taking baby steps....

Wow I truly thought I was the only one in the world with this problem. I am facing my fears when I feel brave enough or have someone with me. I am just afraid that people will not understand anxiety. I dont want to be an outcast because of it but at times I feel so alone. Thank you so much for caring enough to comment. I will keep trying my best but for now I think I'm gonna stay away from towns.

omg---you are SO not alone....I also don't like to drive to places I haven't already been too---I can't drive in any major city---before I go anywhere not in my usual routine I have to google map the route and look at all the visual pics that show where the turns are....then I print out the map and directions...I've called friends in a panic because I was lost in the scary part of a city.....all my friends know this about me and fortunately they are fearless drivers and don't mind taking on the scary trips---I just make sure to offer to drive to all the local places! Unlike Ms Blank--I can't do the gps thing because I freak out when they say to turn somewhere---I start turning into driveways, private roads...one way streets...lol.....I just know I'd be one of those people who would drive straight into a lake or something.....maybe I could just turn off the sound.....I also know another woman who can't get in a car at all unless she's just medicated herself....so yeah--you are not the only one! (and my mom never got her license either--too anxious to learn!)

First of all, WOW! Congratulations on the bravery it took to do what you did. That's awesome!!!

Second, did you know there are a LOT of really successful and well-loved people who have phobias and anxiety and depression.
Angelina Jolie, Goldie Hawn, Carrie Fisher, Catherine Zeta Jones, JK Rowling...all of them have dealt with depression or bi-polar.

Jennifer Aniston, Whoopi Goldberg and Cher have a fear of flying. Billy Bob Thornton goes into severe panic attacks around antique furniture and has degrees of agoraphobia, Christina Ricci fears indoor plants, Matthew McConahay is terrified of tunnels.

1 in 4 people has anxiety, depression, OCD or other mental health problem.

There are plenty of people who don't like driving in or through cities. And if you let people know - "I prefer not to drive in the city. Could we meet ..." Usually they've heard it a million times before and they don't mind meeting you elsewhere.

Remember that there are things you do every single day that would scare the hell out of other people. When you're watering your houseplants or admiring your antique dresser, just remember there are mega-stars who can't handle that without dissolving into the same sort of tears you had as you drove downtown! : )

We tend to look at all the things others CAN do and only see our own limitations.

Let those things you CAN do uplift you and realize it's okay to tell people you don't go downtown. You won't look like a baby. Just an adult who doesn't like dealing with traffic. Makes you kinda normal I'd imagine!

As for those things you WANT to do that are downtown, you can experiment. Perhaps you can bus or take alternate roads (instead of the hwy), go with a friend - with you driving or them driving. Maybe staying overnight when you have to be downtown or doing something really fun and rewarding.

In terms of treatment, you may want to research the MTHFR gene mutation which predisposes people to depression and anxiety. If you have it, the treatment is simple - a special kind of folate and B12. Here's more info: http://doccarnahan.blogspot.com/2013/05/mthfr-gene-mutation-whats-big-deal.html

The test is cheap and simple as well.

Wow I feel ya I don't drive much either due to my anxiety. It really sucks but I do understand how you feel. It's not a good feeling to have to rely on people who complain about taking you somewhere. It makes me feel worse. Be very proud you faced your fear. That's a big thing you did. Hugs

My first thought reading this was about concern for your safety. I think if you are that emotionally impaired while driving, maybe it's best not to drive at all in cities or to slowly work your way up to town and city driving.

You are definitely not alone, though. I was having a lot of anxiety this winter driving to my allergy shot every week. I sat down and filled out some CBT thought records and dug into why I was feeling so much dread. I realized that I was having anxiety about the shots and about a car accident I'd been in with my mom on the way to getting a shot when I was a kid. It helped to know where it all was coming from.

Is there a background to this fear of yours?

judyfz, not sure if there is any background I have certain anxiousness. Any situation where it deals with alot of people scares me. Going to walmart, a get together, really just being around people. I think they are looking at me or judging me. I just am afraid of getting in an accident and dieing. I just am tired of my issues holding me back. Not everyone is supportive of me like people on this sight, They might look at me not wanting to drive as a weakness, But im far from weak. I believe people with anxiety and depression are some of the strongest willed people there are, We are persistent, we dont give up, we keep moving forward everyday even when we are afraid.