Overcoming Anxiety When Driving

hi! I'm 21 as well. I have a fear of not being in control of a car because I was in a big wreck as a child. I waited a long time to get my license and i used to white knuckle the steering wheel, and still do because I am so, painfully, aware that everyone behind me, in front of me, and around me is watching me and I try to sing in the car to distract myself or call someone so I don't have to focus solely on driving. sometimes I zone out and just end up at my destination. I really hope you can find something that works for you, maybe just slow exposure therapy. just sitting in a car, going forward a bit, reversing a bit, and making yourself familiar with all the parts.

Im almost 25 and I have a similar reason because my anxiety is high naturally, im a momma of a 5 year old, and I still don't have my license. I get rides when I can ,but it saves on gas having to walk. Hope this helps you feel better.

It will take time but do baby steps. Try driving with someone who knows your condition so your not too worried if you have a panic attack. If you start seeing some type of progress try having someone drive and you follow behind them. Hopefully this helps and if not at least you can say you tried.

21 as well and glad to hear I’m not alone in that either ❤️

I'm 22 and try to avoid driving as much as possible because it gets my anxiety so strung up. When theres no other option for me it doesn't go well before, during, or after. Often when I tell someone I'm scared of driving they ask if I was ever in an accident, as if that's the only reason to be scared of it. Everyone tells me I wont be able to get through life without driving. Being dependent on other people makes me feel bad. I'd live in a populated place with public transportation and things within walking distance, but that spikes my anxiety too. I really hope we can both figure this crud out.

I had a panic attack while taking my test, I still passed. Sometimes I have panic attacks while driving and I just try to remember I'm ok, everything is OK, I turn up the ac and take slow deep breaths in through the nose and slowing breathing out of my mouth. I've had to pull over a few times and wait it out. It's hard with the way people drive, so I totally get it.

I'm 21 and I only have a permit. I still get anxious on the road. Especially when people are driving behind me and I see them when I glance into the mirror. I get anxious like "they'll be angry I'm driving so slow" and thoughts like that . It's hard cause even when you follow the rules there's just so much going on and others may break it.

I’m 21 and still don’t drive for this reason I don’t even have my license. I’m so self conscious about not driving nor having a car. But for the first time ever I’ve been saving but I’m still so terrified. I can’t even put keys in the ignition without having an attack.