Brain Lock

[emilyp1]

Hi
I am new to this forum, and really excited to find others like me who are paralyzed by fear when they drive. I started a new job yesterday and while it is only 3 short miles from my house, I insisted that my boyfriend drive me and my dad picked me up. Today, instead of badgering my boyfriend for another ride, I drove in. I panicked a few times - pulling over, avoiding turns at lights and stopping along the way. By the time I was off work, I spent the next 2 hours in my car waiting to feel "comfortable" enough to drive. My boyfriend eventually picked me up. I am really hoping to obtain some support and learn some coping skills. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Emily

[petal]

Dear Emilyp :)

http://bestsmileys.com/welcome/10.gif to this forum!

You'll find lots of support here from other people with a driving phobia. I'm afraid I let my driving phobia get the better of me a long time ago and don't drive anymore. Keep driving Emilyp, even if it is a real battle and don't do as I did and give up. It's been so long since I drove, I really don't think I could go back to it now so keep driving while you still can is all I can say.

Congratulate yourself on driving to work. Well done. Try again tomorrow! :)

Once again, welcome to the forum. I do hope you receive lots of support from fellow driving phobia sufferers who are battling with the phobia. I'm sure you will.

Wishing you all the best
Petal http://bestsmileys.com/cars/4.gif

[emilyp1]

Thanks for the reply Petal.
Unfortunately, I got to the point where I abandoned driving altogether too. And I think re-adjusting has made it more difficult.
Today, when faced with the same situation of driving home, I sat in my car for an hour before I decided I would just walk home. Now that walk is about 4 miles.
On the way, I stopped and got a map, but also had to pick up band aids since my feet became blistered. I felt so depressed and ashamed.
However, upon walking, I realized that the drive probably wouldn't be so bad. I am going to try again tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes....

[petal]

Hi Emilyp

Yes, do try and drive again tomorrow. Keep trying.

Try not to feel ashamed that you were unable to drive today. It's simply a challenge for you and you need to be kind to yourself, and encouraging. I'd try talking to yourself about it as if you were speaking to a friend about their difficulty with a driving phobia. I'm sure you'd be encouraging and supportive to a friend in the same situation, so why not try talking to yourself in the same way? We can be so hard on ourselves. I know as I'm very hard on myself most of the time. Anyway, it's just a thought on a strategy you could try.

Keep trying Emilyp!

Wishing you every success :) and please do let us know how you get on
Petal http://bestsmileys.com/cars/18.gif

[gazza]

Hi
I am new to this forum, and really excited to find others like me who are paralyzed by fear when they drive.* I started a new job yesterday and while it is only 3 short miles from my house, I insisted that my boyfriend drive me and my dad picked me up.* Today, instead of badgering my boyfriend for another ride, I drove in.* I panicked a few times - pulling over, avoiding turns at lights and stopping along the way.* By the time I was off work, I spent the next 2 hours in my car waiting to feel "comfortable" enough to drive.* My boyfriend eventually picked me up.* I am really hoping to obtain some support and learn some coping skills.* Any suggestions?
Thanks
Emily

[gazza]

Hi
I am new to this forum, and really excited to find others like me who are paralyzed by fear when they drive.* I started a new job yesterday and while it is only 3 short miles from my house, I insisted that my boyfriend drive me and my dad picked me up.* Today, instead of badgering my boyfriend for another ride, I drove in.* I panicked a few times - pulling over, avoiding turns at lights and stopping along the way.* By the time I was off work, I spent the next 2 hours in my car waiting to feel "comfortable" enough to drive.* My boyfriend eventually picked me up.* I am really hoping to obtain some support and learn some coping skills.* Any suggestions?
Thanks
Emily




Hi Emily,

Couple of months ago I started suffering from a driving phobia, surprizingly the next day after I STARTED A NEW JOB. I under went 10 sessions of CBT because it was really affecting my day to day life. The therapist said I have suffered from anxiety all my life (GAD) and it was now being expressed in my driving in situations I feel out of control (traffic congestion, motorways etc). I've now settled in my new job, and the driving issue has reduced(but not cured 100%). I have tried a few coping strategies, the best one is to keep a fair distance from the car in front to prevent braking(makes the journey smoother) when stopping at traffic lights keep at least a half a car back from the car in front. I only concentrate on the road in front, makes me feel more in control.

It would be interesting to know how you get on, because I'm still fighting this and it would be good to be in direct contact with somebody who is fighting a driving phobia or somebody who is now cured.

Face your fears, you'll gain strength.

Gaz

[Stray]

I am going to try again tomorrow.* I'll let you know how it goes....


so... do you think she made it?


or has Emily decided to keep walking... Three months for four miles. Thats pretty good i reckon ;)

[jonnyjonny_uk]

Hi,

Did anyone actually find out the outcome??