Fear of driving in the mountains
Common Questions and Answers about Fear of driving in the mountains
fear
I haven't always had a fear of snow or ice driving until the recent past few years. If I am not in the driver's seat, I can't control the anxiety. If I am in the driver's seat, it's much, much worse. My panic starts the minute we start moving.
I have good days and bad days. The key is you have to keep driving or the fear will over come you. The solution is once you don't care anymore about having a panic attack while driving, you will tend not to have them. I have spent numerous hours and years researching this topic. I highly recommend the follwing resources to help you over-come this fear of driving. In my opinion they are priceless and well worth the money.
This will mean nothing to you ... or it will mean something. In the event that it gives you something positive, I wanted to post this.
The Station
by Robert J. Hastings
Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long, long trip that almost spans the continent.
lll become incredibly anxious. This is managable by turning the lights on, but my other problem is driving in the dark. I have to put the inside light on in my car and keep checking behind me both of which aren't safe. In the past I had two minor panic/anxiety attacks from driving in th rk and I dont know how to cope with it. I'm embarrased to tell family and friends and find myself making excuses for why I can't travel home at night. Does anyone have any advice?
Specialmom pretty much said everything I was thinking, and then some. :0)
SO much of anxiety is fed by US, and with time and practice, you can learn how to stop feeding the beast. Honest to goodness distraction is one of the best things you can do for anxiety and panic. So, like sm suggested, music, looking out the window are good things. You could also bring along a puzzle book, like a word search, etc.
Were you in a car accident of this nature in the past, this would cause your fear? Anxiety causes most of us to develop fears like this, some have a root cause and others don't. Therapy will help you determine why you have this fear, and how to get over it. If therapy doesn't help (I think it will) there are medications to ease your fear. Know you're not alone and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
The best advice I can give you is to talk to someone and try to face the fear. Get back in your car and go for a drive even if it is only around the block. Each time you do it it will get easier. You have to take your control back. I should really learn to take my own advice. I wish you the best of luck and I hope you feel better.....
i was driving confidently for the last 8 years. suddenly start to fear driving especially curves...now i could not take the vehicle in the middle of the road..i try to avoid and automatically i drive on left side of the road instead of straight...so i loose balance..i am sittiting also slightly towards left...this problem is giving me sleepless night...please advise me..........
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I have just recently developed anxiety while driving on the high ways I have been driving since I was 15 years old I am now 30 years old for some reason when I start driving my heart starts racing my hands sweat my feet do also and I just feel like I need to stop and I cant continue to go but just the other day while driving in the city I got a anxiety attack I felt like the road was to big for me and I needed to stop I also check my blood pressure and my pulse is really high (101) I do not
Hello. I'm 17 and lately have been struggling with the fact that I can't drive without thinking I ran someone over. I get so worried and depressed and will check the news daily. Today as I was getting gas I happened to glance over and see a little boy with his mom at the pump connected to mine on the opposite side and obviously didn't think anything of it. I got in my car and headed on my way to the store and then my mind started with questions like where was the little boy?
need I say more? The fear of being stuck in traffic and suddenly needing to go is a real fear based on a real problem.
Generally I prepare for trips, and if shopping, make it a focused shop. No more aimless driving. I have to have a plan and stick to it. Same in stores: meandering around in a hugh store is sure to bring on panic. So again I now plan and stick to it. One department for shoes. No checking out several stores or departments.
No major health probs, though heart murmurs run in my family. As my mother and I were driving back in the car from altitude, I experienced a fleeting sensation in my chest that was quite odd...like a series of rapid uneven "bubbling" followed by a big "thud" from what I am presuming is my heart, all accompanied by an adrenaline rush similar to what one might experience in freefall.
I have son who just turned 5. He had/has sort of the same fear. He's always hated to have the window down in the car while driving and if it starts looking like a storm or the wind picks up while outside he starts getting anxious. He wants ALL his toys from outside picked up and put in the garage right away. He has no fear of fans though. I'm just a Mom, but I would say, wait it out. She is still very young. At that age it is hard to talk to her about fears and explain wind.
You can even just browse through the OCD forum to get an idea of some of the advice that has been given to others with the same fears.
It's not as simple as us telling you you would know if you were gay (which you would). Like any other kind of anxiety, you would accept that reassurance temporarily, but most likely, the fears will reemerge. This is why I think you should check out the OCD forum, there are suggestions you could benefit from that are specific to this exact issue.
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