driving phobia

[kel]

Hi
I suffer from a driving phobia, it had got slightly better i could drive local fairly normal, for some reason in the last couple of weeks its been getting really bad again. Having to pull over to let people past because I can't bear them being there. Sitting in my car on the side of the road shaking why do I get a little better then go backwards again. It makes me think I will never be rid of this stupid phobia, I did drive really well and enjoyed driving anywhere and everywhere before all this started and I just want it back. Any ideas? Thanks for reading it anyway even if you can't help.
Kel

[libby]

Hi
* I suffer from a driving phobia, it had got slightly better i could drive local fairly normal, for some reason in the last couple of weeks its been getting really bad again. Having to pull over to let people past because I can't bear them being there. Sitting in my car on the side of the road shaking why do I get a little better then go backwards again. It makes me think I will never be rid of this stupid phobia, I did drive really well and enjoyed driving anywhere and everywhere before all this started and I just want it back. Any ideas? Thanks for reading it anyway even if you can't help.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Kel

Hi Kel

It's called a setback, don't give it any time!! Think what you did to get over it before and do THAT again. Apparently we will have setbacks now and again but it doesnt mean you have gone right back to the way you were before, just don't give in to it and you will be back driving again ok in no time.

Take Care

Luv

Libby
xxxx

[angie]

KEL,
I HAVE MOST THINGS IN MY LIFE JUST ABOUT SORTED. EVEN BEEING HOUSE-BOUND FOR YEARS BUT DRIVING IS THE LAST THING FOR ME TO TRY AND KICK.
I CANNOT DO MOTOR-WAYS OR DUEL-CARRIAGE-WAYS. ROUND TOWN OR 'B' ROADS, I'M FINE BUT EVEN THINKING ABOUT 'M' AND 'A' ROADS FILLS ME WITH DREAD.

PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP TRYING.
ANGIEXX

[kel]

KEL,
I HAVE MOST THINGS IN MY LIFE JUST ABOUT SORTED.* EVEN BEEING HOUSE-BOUND FOR YEARS BUT DRIVING IS THE LAST THING FOR ME TO TRY AND KICK.
I CANNOT DO MOTOR-WAYS OR DUEL-CARRIAGE-WAYS. ROUND TOWN OR 'B' ROADS, I'M FINE BUT EVEN THINKING ABOUT 'M' AND 'A' ROADS FILLS ME WITH DREAD.

PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP TRYING.
ANGIEXX

Hi Angie, even though I had got a bit better on local roads i never got brave enough for the m's and a's either. What makes me mad is before all this I really enjoyed driving did not matter what letter the road started with. I will not give up trying ever. Well done for sorting most of your own problems out, sounds like you have come a long way
thanks Kel

[kel]

Hi Kel

It's called a setback, don't give it any time!!* Think what you did to get over it before and do THAT again.* Apparently we will have setbacks now and again but it doesnt mean you have gone right back to the way you were before, just don't give in to it and you will be back driving again ok in no time.

Take Care

Luv

Libby
xxxx

Hi Libby,Thanks for your reply, seems like one step forward and two steps back to me, I will never give up, trouble is I don't know how I got that little bit back now I have lost it again. I have not gone right back to square one so I will just stick with it till it does come back.
Thanks Kel

[Bigdrive]

Hi Libby,Thanks for your reply, seems like one step forward and two steps back to me, I will never give up, trouble is I don't know how I got that little bit back now I have lost it again. I have not gone right back to square one so I will just stick with it till it does come back.
* * * * * * * * Thanks Kel

Hi, I am new to this forum and have suffered with driving phobia for 13 + years. At my worst I would avoid Motorways, Dual Carraigeways, bridges and even got panicky overtaking cycles. I have manged to overcome the fear of overtaking and bridges to the point where I can negotitate them and not even think about what I am doing. Motorways and dual carraigeways are another matter though. Only last week though I managed to drive on a motorway for the first time for many years. It was only 1/3rd of a mile and I needed my daughter to sit with me. I now do the short journey on my own and some occasions it's not too bad and others more panicky. I know, however, from getting over the fear of bridges that I have to confront the situation and force myself to do the trip daily. I have found that I need to divert my mind on to something other than the drive and found that doing maths or thinking over something I did recently helps - anything but the drive. After a while you find that you build positive thinking of what you have achieved and thoughts become more rational. I have had a set back this week and the fear has increased again, but I will force myself to confront it and focus on what I have already achieved.

[petal]

Hi Bigdrive



First of all, welcome to the forum. It sounds like you're managing your fear of driving in a very considered and constructive way, and that your approach is WORKING - congratulations.

I no longer drive and I realise when I look back that I stopped driving because of a fear of driving. Well, you're tackling your fear and your efforts are paying off. I think your strategy of daily exposure to driving is really admirable, and the way to go so you can continue to drive.

Once again, welcome to the forum. I hope you find the support you're looking for. It's a great forum full of warm, supportive people.

Wishing you all the best
Petal

[Bigdrive]

Hi Bigdrive*



First of all, welcome to the forum. It sounds like you're managing your fear of driving in a very considered and constructive way, and that your approach is WORKING* - congratulations.

I no longer drive and I realise when I look back that I stopped driving because of a fear of driving. Well, you're tackling your fear and your efforts are paying off. I think your strategy of daily exposure to driving is really admirable, and the way to go so you can continue to drive.

Once again, welcome to the forum. I hope you find the support you're looking for. It's a great forum full of warm, supportive people.

Wishing you all the best
Petal

Hi Petal, thanks for your kind words of support. I am trying to work through my fears, but it has taken a long time to pluck up the courage to do it - and the support of my daughter has been a major help. She is studying Psycology, so understands what I am going through - which really helps. I find it hard to divert my thoughts away from driving in stressful situations, but it is a must in trying to remove the irrational thinking. If anybody has any advice or ideas on what they have found useful in keeping their minds occupied on anything other than driving, I would be very grateful. Again many thanks and I have already found the forum really helpful, if only to understand I am not the only person struggling with this phobia.

[kel]

Hi, I am new to this forum and have suffered with driving phobia for 13 + years. At my worst I would avoid Motorways, Dual Carraigeways, bridges and even got panicky overtaking cycles. I have manged to overcome the fear of overtaking and bridges to the point where I can negotitate them and not even think about what I am doing. Motorways and dual carraigeways are another matter though. Only last week though I managed to drive on a motorway for the first time for many years. It was only 1/3rd of a mile and I needed my daughter to sit with me. I now do the short journey on my own and some occasions it's not too bad and others more panicky. I know, however, from getting over the fear of bridges that I have to confront the situation and force myself to do the trip daily. I have found that I need to divert my mind on to something other than the drive and found that doing maths or thinking over something I did recently helps - anything but the drive. After a while you find that you build positive thinking of what you have achieved and thoughts become more rational. I have had a set back this week and the fear has increased again, but I will force myself to confront it and focus on what I have already achieved.

Hi Bigdrive,
Welcome to the forum,I am really glad you are doing so well wish I had someone to sit next to me like that too. my boyfriend who I live with thinks the answer is to shout at me and make me drive or belittle me if I can't do it. He really does not understand and refuses to listen when I try to explain.I hope you can carry on improving it will give me some hope if other people can do it.
welcome again Kel

[DP]

i couldn't even manage to carry on my lessons due to panic attacks so i understand how it must be