Driving Terror

I am terrified to drive just two blocks to the store and pharmacy. I'd like to do
even more ~ go four blocks to the library. Woooopeeee.
This terror is magnified by the pain in my neck. Sometimes I really can't drive
because my pain is too intense.
Other times I could drive a short distance. There's lots of traffic around where I live
in this new town.
My husband is ill. He could really need me to drive. Or <gulp> something could
happen to him.
I have Attention Deficit Disorder. That means that I tend to want to look at all thats
in my field of vision
or else I'll strongly focus on one thing.
What am I going to do????
Pamela

ADD or ADHD is a problem that causes panic and depression for many children and
adults. No one can understand it unless they have it.
There are a few doctors and psychiatrists who "believe" but not all.

Good Morning Pamela,

I have a daughter-in-law with ADD. I understand what you are living with.

Here is my formula for helping overcome your driving phobia.

1. Take small steps and you will eventually get to your destination -- A lot of people who have a fear of driving simply give up using their car altogether. This is the way to perpetuate your condition, not to heal yourself. If you feel that you're unable to drive, simply use the car for short periods. Either drive around the block, or to the grocery store, or take frequent pit stops to make sure your fear doesn't build up. By doing so, you're conditioning your mind to gradually overcome your fears.

2. Listen to soothing music while you're driving -- Music has great effect on our mood. Find some music that you can relax to and play it while you're driving. It will lower your overall stress levels and your will enjoy your ride more.

3. Take deep breaths -- If you're ever driving and start to experience one of the many symptoms of your phobia (sweating, stomach aches, nausea), take a few deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly. Deep breaths steady the heart beat and help you to relax

Think positive thoughts, leaving no room for failure that you “just can’t do this.”

I believe in you.

Gentle hugs to you

Kitt

I have this issue too. about ten years ago I was driving, and panicked (causing my blood pressure to plummet) and I was in an awful wreck. It happend almost exactly 1 month after my grandmother did the same thing. Mine was a tree and hers was a telephone pole.

Then when we both got new cars, we both hit a deer (about a month apart) in the almost same area of the highway going up to the old farmground. . . :)

Needless to say, it has been a struggle at times ever since, but I refuse to give up. I know now if I feel funny, I can pull over and sit it out, and now with the cell phones, I can call somebody if needed :)

Good luck with your recovery on this Pamela :)

Shia,
Yes, I have loads of stress. On top of all this, we're house moving -- financial
crisis.
Aries,
I've ALWAYS had fear of driving. However, I did drive. In the past I lived in small
areas. This big city stuff is something new and terrorizing to me.
St.Kitt,
OK, little tiny steps, deep breaths, positive thoughts and music. Strangely soothing
music stresses me. I'll listen to classic rock. I will start today. (My stomach
kinda lurched when I said that)
Red,
Weaning ... Weaning. I can't take my Adderal anymore because of my neck problems.
If I could take it, I could probably drive a lot easier. Your son and I have
different ADD issues.
GreenGrove ... What an incredible story. I'm glad you're alright.
Shia ... ok... I'm thinking "small steps"

Oh, you guys ... I don't wannnnna! I will. I can do it. I can drive around my
circle drive. I will like it. I'll pick out a good CD. I won't go out the gate until
I'm ready. I can drive around the circle. zooooooooooooooooooooooooom.

you can SO do this! this is a fear you can conquer! one of my best friends is absolutely terrified of driving, so i put her in the drivers seat and we went round the block once (with my hand ready to yank the handbrake! lol) and we did that for a week. Then we did 4 blocks for the next week, and so on, until she was able to drive herself to work (a short distance). she still hates driving but she does it anyway- she uses Bach rescue remedy (which i personally think is useless, but hey it may work for others) and practices her breathing. she will play 'Books on CD' in the car and listen to a story being read, which distracts her from the fear.

I believe you can do this. Im with you all the way!` Maz XX

bump to the top for bigcc