fear of driving across bridges

About 2 years ago I had a very sudden and acute fear of driving over bridges. It came out of nowhere! I was pregnant with daughter at the time and was very swollen/off balance with the pregnancy. It felt like my car would just go over the side and I was petrified. Since then, I have avoided bridges that I deem 'too risky' - low sides, very high, feeling like you aren't touching the ground, etc. I feel as if I'm crazy!

It got nothing but worse with every passing mile and there were a whole lot of bridges and overpasses to contend with. I was too scared to pull over and stop and too scared to take a hand off the wheel to call my husband and tell him I needed a break, so I kept going. By the time I pulled in the driveway at home, it took a good five minutes to pry my hands off the wheel. My shrink told me to focus on my breathing and consciously breathe slowly and deeply as soon as I feel the panic start.

Boy, can I relate!! MANY of us can! This goes hand in hand with panic. " I am known as the "back roads" queen because I can get to just about anywhere on small streets and county roads. I always feel like I need to have a place I can pull over". Me too! LOL. I HATE highways. I explored this fear with my therapist years ago, and she explained to me that the fear stems from our basic fear of becoming "trapped" somewhere, with no option of "escape".

it has really picked up in the past year due to coming across sued needles on the ground. I seem to come across most of them on the roads while driving. but every time I see one, my anxiety sky rockets. I have a fear of even driving by a used needle and thinking it could be contaminated with hepatitis b or c. its as though I fear blood from the needle will get on my car or tires and then on to me. really cant comprehend how to deal with this.

I have a friend that had a fear like this of bridges, they went on vacation and it was very difficult for him. His wife told him "with all the bridges we have crossed, you've made it safely...this one will be no different". He said it made sence to him and with that thought, it made it easier and easier for him to cross bridges. Look at all the turns you've made with no issues, remember this and see if it helps.

I know it is due to the fear of driving and thinking I will pass out. I went to the doctor and he gave me medication for the axiety, but I still have the light headness while driving. I don't have this problem outside the car. However, I do get headaches on the left side of head. I am concerned since it is progessively getting worse. Unfortunately for me, I was recently laid off of my job and no longer have health insurance. Any suggestions.

Was terrified to cross bridges afterwards. Finally I would make myself drive across bridges and would count how long it took to cross. It did help. I still have some anxiety . Not doing it only makes it worse. What also helped...my Dr said " just remember these fears are only ur imagination" hope this helps. Knowing ur not alone is also comforting.

For reference I did not have any of these problems as an young man under 30, it all started when I was about 30, I still remember the surprise episode that I associate as my first panic when driving. I think my fear of flying happened around the time I earned my first electrical engineering degree (with high grades) and I realized engineers (and pilots) didn't in fact know everything.

You have to know that the mouth is a really hostile environment for the virus. Saliva contains enzymes that inactivate the virus. As CurfewX was saying, there is nothing 100% safe, but the most important thing about oral sex is the risk of other STDs.

I live in a town that has at least 9 bridges, so have plenty of chances. (Once I was going about 35 mph on a bridge posted 45, and a guy drove on my tail in a big truck, and leaned on his horn the whole way across. Needless to say, this did not increase my comfort level.) One of the bridges that I can actually use is now closed for over a year for repairs, so I have to do something. I'll try the distraction and the ice and the a/c, and see how it goes.

Wow this forum is really helping me, it's shocking to hear so many similar stories and experiences, When I was young I had a permit to drive with a licensed driver, I lost control of a vehicle when I hesitated in an intersection in the poring rain I slammed on the breaks in fear of not making a yellow light, I didn't cause an accident and nobody got hurt but I ended up across the street very close to a gas station pump which has scared me deeply, I was 18 and have not driven since

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. If you can afford them, I would order them today so you can get your recovery on the road. They have been instrumental in my recovery and I actually keep them in the car with me, just in case. 1) The Driving Fear Program - www.drivingfear.

I was driving earlier today and there was a moment when I tensed up with overwhelming anxiety.. lasted about 3 seconds and I started to feel relaxed.. normal again. Can this really be anxiety?

I love most creatures yes even snakes but I draw the line at fire ants when I lived in Florida I was bitten 16 times when I walked on a nest ....I am also afraid of heights although I adore flying , I dont like driving over big bridges either, nor the disneyland rides, the scary ones.I dont like yelling especially men yelling with loud voices ..

that I believe were panic attacks but am not completely sure. While driving I have suddenly gotten symptoms of shortness of breath, heart pounding, numbness and tingling in my hands and face which eventually causes my hands to "lock up". I go through an overall feeling that I cannot breathe and and catch my breath.

You are not actually fearful of driving or travelling itself, but rather the fear of losing control if you have another panic attack. This is because when we have a panic attack, the first thing we want to do is to retreat to our "safe place", which for most people is our home. The further away from our comfort zone, the more uncomfortable we feel.

It started back in March, when I had to wean off of cymbalta. All of a sudden, I never have it driving to work, but at work I travel some, maybe 50-100 miles in a given week, plus it is about a 15 minute drive to work. Even when I go get my daughter from her mom, anxiety. When I drive to the mall about 30 minutes away, anxiety. It usually cripples me to the point that I have to take a 7.5 mg of clorazepate, and I hate taking them.

New pathways need to be created to overcome the old programming. So for example, if you panic over a fear of flying, you must start flying and let the brain realise that its all okay, and reprogram the thoughts. However, the fear of dying can't really be practiced. Some buddhists meditate in a morgue as it is the closest we can get to dying. Once we understand that dying is just for the body and the spirit moves back to the energy (the light) we are no longer afraid of dying.

I too struggle with panic attacks and the fear of them returning. Have you talked to your dr about this? You might want to consider talking with a therapist. I do know that if you let the fear take over your mind it is only going to get worse. 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.

plz help me to come out of the vicious cycle of fear. I will be grateful to you all my life. I have two kids & wife. I don't have any help from anyone. I was coping with the anxiety symtoms (chest pain/palpitation/chest tightness/dizziness/lightheadedness/jelly leg etc), by reading Dr. Claire weekes book, that, anxiety will not kill you. Now I came to where I was in the beginning.

plz help me to come out of the vicious cycle of fear. I will be grateful to you all my life. I have two kids & wife. I don't have any help from anyone. I was coping with the anxiety symtoms (chest pain/palpitation/chest tightness/dizziness/lightheadedness/jelly leg etc), by reading Dr. Claire weekes book, that, anxiety will not kill you. Now I came to where I was in the beginning.

Wow, did anyone see me screw up)... I have a fear of Trucks, heights and bridges, from an accident on a bridge, with a truck. I had forgotten, until I had some significant driving issues, that kept getting worse. I was molested as a young teen, and I had issues with the high school, much later, then problems with schools in general. It was because I did not ask for help, when I was a kid. Then I let things go.

Fear of driving across bridges

Common Questions and Answers about Fear of driving across bridges

fear