Anxiety While Driving: How to Overcome It?

I understand this completely, so much so I haven't learned how to even though it's basically essential when you live in big countries. I can't offer much advice about this myself but I struggle with this severely. I wish you the best on your journey and hopefully there are ways to overcome this kind of anxiety.

I am the same way. I have a few places I can drive because they are not far and I have been there a million times like the grocery store by my house but new places more than a mile away I can't do. I freeze when scared and it could cause an accident. I am scared a lot.

I just bought a car out of pressure because it was a good deal but I don’t have my license yet. I keep going through waves/circles of feeling like I can drive but then I get way too nervous and tell myself I don’t want to drive and I’m never going to. I’ve driven with my boyfriend but I still break out in sweats + panicking at times and the thought of having to drive on my own makes me shut down. Before, the thought of driving made me feel as though I rather die. However, I’ve already come a long way by getting my permit, driving behind the wheel, and purchasing my first car. I think it’s really important to celebrate baby steps whether that be taking a permit practice test or doing a couple circles in an empty parking lot, progress is progress :)

I think this could be linked to a flight or flight response. Possibly you may still have something in your brain telling you it’s very dangerous(which it can be) I do think that driving in the back country can help this then slowly moving towards more populated areas. Try going somewhere on the weekends. Also it could help to just get regular safety checks on your vehicles to help put you mind more at ease 😅

I used to be so scared I wouldn’t drive at all. Most of my anxiety was around getting lost or doing something wrong to cause an accident. It helped to relearn the rules and study the routes I needed to go and my general area. I started with small trips and eventually stopped feeling so scared. It’s been years now and I don’t have any anxiety, though I’m very vigilant as everyone should be.

This sounds a lot like intrusive thoughts and could even be OCD. Have you talked to a Psych about those possibilities

I have pretty severe anxiety when I am the passenger. I generally have to be playing a game on my phone or distracting myself some way. Driving makes me anxious mostly in heavy traffic, or in areas I'm not familiar with.

I did for the longest time until my divorce. I realized alot of my anxiety had to do with my ex husband. Now I use driving as my place of peace. It calms me. Maybe something similar is going on with your situation. Is someone making you feel anxious while driving?

yes this !!! I used to be able to drive just fine, but since 2020ish, I almost never drive, and never ever alone. I talked to my therapist about having the goal to drive and get coffee on my own by the end of april. trying in small steps is what was suggested to me, and not to do anything to push yourself too far. try sitting in the drivers seat of the car first with it on, don’t even drive it anywhere! if you have a loved one that you trust, see if they would be willing to be a passenger for you to either drive there or back from somewhere familiar to you. having cool air on your face can also help, and a water bottle! it’s still nerve wracking, but these are just some of the steps i’ve taken. today I put it all together and drove to and from a coffee shop with a trusted passenger for the first time since october, and it felt great!! move at a pace comfortable to you, and if you have someone you can drive with, know that you can always pull over and take a moment, or ask them to take over the drive. I wish you luck!! ❤️

sometimes it just takes time to get used to the idea of driving. try not to be too upset about it, when you get ready/feel more confident, it will be easier. there's no rush. if you think that it could just be your anxiety and you end up with other things you're prevented from doing because of your anxiety and/or it doesn't go away over time then I would talk to a doctor. good luck and well wishes.

I can relate. I had an anxiety attack while I was in the car on my first day learning to drive, I made a wrong move and was heading toward a tree, and I froze, my mom was with me and instructed me to turn the wheel I couldnt move at all, not even my feet, I was frozen, and we ran into the tree, it was like in slow motion and I saw my life flash before my eyes. Thankfully no one was badly injured. Just minor. This was 5 years ago and it still traumatizes me, I am really scared to pick up driving again. Cuz what if my anxiety takes over and I get in a wreck on the highway and hit someone or get deathly injured? I've been looking for something to help me with keeping anxiety out of driving. But i cant find anything. It just takes control of me.