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LBDP779

1y ago

Need help with driving anxiety

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 ๐Ÿšš 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 ๐Ÿ™‚

Your answer

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Karrieanne73

1y ago

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 . Iโ€™ve got to get to this point (pick a point a third of the way.) yeah! Now Iโ€™ve got to get to this point 2/3 of the way. You are doing amazing! Now just that last 1/3โ€ฆ you did it! Great job. Trust me I know itโ€™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 ๐Ÿ˜Š. When I got off the freeway for an appointment yesterday my pulse on my Fitbit was 125 lolโ€ฆ. You got this!
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hummingbird42

1y ago

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
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Yuka

1y ago

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

1y ago

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
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Yuka

1y ago

i started doing this recently. It truly helps. Exposure therapy. You train your mind that it's safe ๐Ÿ™Œ
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crazykitty

1y ago

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.
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KratomEater

1y ago

I had to do slow breathing in through the nose and out the mouth. Iโ€™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 Iโ€™d get them Iโ€™d have to feel my pulse to reassure my self I was okay. It felt like my heart would stop and itโ€™s make me even more anxious. Calming music or nature sounds. Pulling over is smart until you can learn to manage them. Iโ€™m so sorry you are dealing with this. It just makes life so unhinged.
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Yuka

1y ago

Deep Breathing and Calm Music ๐Ÿ’ฏ๐Ÿ’ฏ๐Ÿ’ฏ๐Ÿ’ฏ
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LBDP779

1y ago

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

1y ago

Here for the comments
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Yuka

1y ago

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.
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ickyichthyosaur

1y ago

if you're curious about why the cold helps, you should look into a DBT concept called TIPP
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LBDP779

1y ago

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

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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