Need advice on dealing with anxiety while driving

Hi there! I am in need of some advice. Recently I have been in a huge financial bind and my car was repossessed. I was forced to move back in with my mother and grandma. I have never had any issues with anxiety towards driving, but here lately I cannot seem to force myself to do it. I don’t have my car anymore which I was very comfortable in, but now if I need to run any errands I have to use my grandmas or my mothers car. I am not comfortable in their vehicles and I physically cannot make myself even leave the driveway. Driving used to be a way for me to relax and clear my mind. I feel so stuck and distraught. I don’t know what to do! I can’t take my emergency meds before driving so I just feel stuck. Please help, any advice or suggestions are welcome!

Your answer

RedandBlackFan

2y ago

Maybe go see a therapist. I have PTSD and it hard for me to do things as well, like next to impossible still sometimes. Therapy and meds really helped me manage. Idk that you have that, I’m not a dr it’s just worth looking into and trying.

crawlycube

2y ago

I totaled my ex’s car 2 years ago and could have killed my two best friends and boyfriend at the time. I was so scared to drive again because I was worried I would hurt people. I started slow. A couple weeks after the accident, I had to drive to work and back every night. It scared me and I cried so hard every time I would stop driving, my heart would be racing the whole time, I’d have to pull over to catch my breath. But as time went on, I realized with each time I drove I became more and more confident in my abilities. I’m still scared to drive at high speeds, but I can now at least drive and I realize I’ve made progress.

Chesbro99

2y ago

Exposer is a great idea. Also when you start taking your meds, wearing comfy clothes practicing any coping skills to relax and make the car a happy place again might help to. You have to reframe how you think about driving

sillysloth111

2y ago

when i wrecked my car, i didn’t even try to drive for a couple weeks. after that, i tried driving short distances like a mile away. i finally got over my fear when my mom made me drive myself to work and back home. that worked for me, except i had really bad anxiety for the first few minutes. but after i drove that far i got my confidence in driving back. so maybe try to go on a longer drive to develop some confidence in their cars!

annieb

2y ago

It does, thank you (:

GeM11

2y ago

After I wreaked my car the best thing for me was being exposed to the car. Sit in it turn the radio on replicate exactly how you used to drive. I sat in my car in the driveway for at LEAST 30 minutes a day till I felt comfortable. Then I started driving VERY short distances. I worked my self up from there. When I finally got a new car I had to do the same thing just not so drawn out. I hope that helps

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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