See Alike in...

Alike App

Browser

Need help with driving anxiety

LBDP779

465d

has anyone got any ideas or suggestions that can help me with anxiety when driving? I've drove for years without a problem and was even driving 🚚 lorrys at one point. I was having alot of bullying from co workers and other people and I was driving to a hospital appointment that was 3hrs drive away and I had to pull over as I had a massive panic attack and since then my anxiety is through roof when I go driving on myself and I have to keep pulling over to calm down so a journey that should take me 10minutes sometimes takes nearly an hour. I appreciate anyone's advice or suggestions or will talk over chat if anyone wants more information 🙂

2

18

18

Depression

Hydroxyzine

Paroxetine

Anxiety (Including GAD)

Panic Disorder

Acute Anxiety

Palpitations

Victim of bullying

Buspirone

Snoring

View all
Top reply
    • hummingbird42

      464d

      I get dizzy when I drive too, when I'm having it I noticed it helps alot to grab on to the back of my neck while it having it or stick your hand out the window, weird but it really works

      2

      Reply
      Chat
    • Karrieanne73

      464d

      I listen to my favorite music country or make yourself a playlist on Spotify or Amazon music . I have to breathe . And yes I white knuckle it. I make it a game . I’ve got to get to this point (pick a point a third of the way.) yeah! Now I’ve got to get to this point 2/3 of the way. You are doing amazing! Now just that last 1/3… you did it! Great job. Trust me I know it’s hard. And if you need to pull over and wait awhile do a grounding exercise . Maybe leave earlier to give yourself plenary of time . Better to be early than late.. you could always sit in a waiting room and scroll through Facebook 😊. When I got off the freeway for an appointment yesterday my pulse on my Fitbit was 125 lol…. You got this!

      1

      Reply
    • hummingbird42

      464d

      I get dizzy when I drive too, when I'm having it I noticed it helps alot to grab on to the back of my neck while it having it or stick your hand out the window, weird but it really works

      2

      Reply
      • Yuka

        464d

        @hummingbird42 it's cool how we sometimes have these weird things that calm us down lol.

        1

        Reply
    • callumanmia

      464d

      Start off by breaking it down into smaller chunks, start by driving a very short distance then come back, do that till your confident then increase the journey slowly then over time your confidence should strengthen and hopefully you will feel better about driving

      2

      Reply
      • Yuka

        464d

        @callumanmia i started doing this recently. It truly helps. Exposure therapy. You train your mind that it's safe 🙌

        1

        Reply
    • crazykitty

      464d

      I put stuffed animals on my dash, when I get too stressed or anxious I grab and pet them. I have so many of different textures too. Also small snacks or drinks that arey favorite. Calming or distracting music I can zone out to. Having a driving buddy. My boyfriend drives with me just about everywhere. Think about the destination and how to get there and not how many cars or lanes you have to cross.

      2

      Reply
    • KratomEater

      465d

      I had to do slow breathing in through the nose and out the mouth. I’d also get dizzy when I had them so driving seemed kind of dangerous at first until I got used to them. I had heart palpitations as well so whenever I’d get them I’d have to feel my pulse to reassure my self I was okay. It felt like my heart would stop and it’s make me even more anxious. Calming music or nature sounds. Pulling over is smart until you can learn to manage them. I’m so sorry you are dealing with this. It just makes life so unhinged.

      2

      Reply
      • Yuka

        464d

        @KratomEater Deep Breathing and Calm Music 💯💯💯💯

        1

        Reply
      • LBDP779

        464d

        @KratomEater it's horrid strange thing is I'm better driving in dark but in day I really panic

        1

        Reply
        • Yuka

          464d

          @LBDP779 me too! I told my doctor that I'm fine during the night. I tinted my car windows and that helped at bit to block out the brightness

          2

          Reply
        • KratomEater

          464d

          @LBDP779 ah that’s the worst

          1

          Reply
    • SecondChance

      465d

      Here for the comments

      1

      Reply
    • Yuka

      465d

      I blast my AC to cold. That somehow diminishes the anxiety. As if my body is now focusing on trying to be warm. I also found sucking on Halls Candy has helped me feel calm. Bring cold water with you. Apart from that, if I'm anxious before i start driving, i take Hydroxizine 30 minutes before driving.

      1

      Reply
      • ickyichthyosaur

        464d

        @Yuka if you're curious about why the cold helps, you should look into a DBT concept called TIPP

        2

        Reply
        • Yuka

          464d

          @ickyichthyosaur omg thank u!!! This is what i found: Cooler temperatures decrease your heart rate (which is usually faster when we are emotionally overwhelmed).

          1

          Reply
      • LBDP779

        464d

        @Yuka I'm on meds for anxiety but I still get stressed out it's wierd cause I don't even no why it happens

        0

        Reply
        • Yuka

          464d

          @LBDP779 the medication is not working for you. They either have to increase the dosage or try a new one. Paroxetine worked perfectly for me. Buspirone did NOT work. Hydroxyzine is now the only one I'm on and i take it only as needed because i only have anxiety if I'm going to drive

          1

          Reply

☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Want to chat or share? Download the Alike app now and get complete access to Alike.health's unique features.

Alike health

Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences

Write your question here...

Get answer
Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Related Questions

Find people who are
experiencing a similar
medical reality

join the community
100% Free
100%
Free
Alike is a transformative platform that goes beyond just bringing together patients; it meticulously connects individuals based on multiple critical factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, medications, diet, and more, fostering a community of knowledge, support and empathy.
© 2020-2023 Alike, Inc
About AlikeWisdomFAQEditorial TeamAll ConditionsAll PostsAll Communities
Your PrivacyStoriesCommunity GuidelinesTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyBlogContact Us

Download Alike for the full experience

JOIN

View All

Bupropion

night sweats

paranoid

Valium

sertraline

palpitations

Anxiety (Including GAD)

Depression

palpitations

Depression

Valium

Bupropion