Question:
The kind of fear of driving you’re describing sounds like Panic Disorder to me. Read the book: Fighting Fear: an Eight Week Guide to Treating your Own Phobias, by Fredric Neuman (my doc). It will give you a great overview on how to systematically approach driving. Then, if you need more support than the book plus your husband can provide, you might want to look into working with a therapist who specializes in panic disorder. Most people who have this type of anxiety disorder are able to overcome it completely with appropriate behavior therapy. Best of luck, Lisa
Response:
i am a bus driver so i am wouldnt know how to treat that, you must have anxiety?
Response:
Dear "Sad", You wrote:
Does anyone have a hard time driving? Yes!!! I did for 15 years!!! You wrote:
I am scared to death of it. If you have any help or answers, please let me know. I wish you had been more specific with your fears of driving. Some people, like Micelle who has answered under this thread, just have panic attacks while driving and become almost "frozen with fear". That is a very different type of "driving fear" than an OCD driving fear that fits under the symptom of "checking". I had the latter form of HELL!!! Let me quickly explain my OCD driving fear symptoms which, BTW, are very common. (The first chapter in Dr. Judith Rapoport’s, "The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Washing", is all about OCD driving fears.). Mine started out of the blue at age 18 and went uchecked untilmy mid thirties. I was always afraid that I would run someone over: run over a runner, a bicyclist, cut off a car, run over a dog or just run over a pedestrian. I would look in the rearview and side mirrors a few hundred times a day. I would turn around CONSTANTLY to check if I ran someone over. I would even check the newspapers for accidents and even called the police a few times when I was literally crippled by my fear and guilt. IT SUCKED!!!!!!!!!!! But, I have pretty much beaten that OCD symptom since age 33 or 34. "How", you ask? Well, I finally got a COMPETENT and CARING therapist (A SOCIAL WORKER!!!), who got off her butt and in my car with me. We would drive together, with her only ocassionally reassuring me that I didn’t hit anyone, with my rearview mirror turned up and my sideview mirrors turned out, so I couldn’t use them. What anxiety!! We also drove in a very highly trafficked area so my anxiety would be at its highest. I don’t think driving on quiet side streets really helps much. Too safe and not challenging enough (but who knows, each person has to go at their own "speed"). It wasn’t easy but I knew y therapist would know if I ran someone over. but my "homework" was to cntinue driving without using my mirrors, not turning around and not looking over my shoulder. I guess it helped alot becuase since then I have barely been bothered by that fear. Boy, I hope you got something from this because I HATE typing and just typed my ass off. Forget about your hubby helping you. Unless he is incredibly patient and supportive, he will only "push your buttons" and that will lead to fights, frustration and depression. You need professional help, whether it is a panic disorder or an OCD checking fear. Good luck. Tom Luby
Response:
Does anyone have a hard time driving? I am scared to death of it. If you have any help or answers, please let me know. I have a husband who is ready to help, but he doesn’t know how to help me, either. I am sick and tired of only hearing Just Do It. IF I could just do it, I wouldn’t need help. Sad
Response:
Driving is one of my fears.Sometimes Im ok and dont freak out while drivng other times Im to scared to get in the car.The worst is having a panic attack while driving with your kids in the car.My husband has been very understanding.It doesnt make sence to drive one day and the next your afraid if ou get in the car you will die. I hate being this way.
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