Newbi here to share, support and be supported

Hi Kells

Welcome to the anxiety forum this is a great place to come and speak with others who can relate to what you are going through. I sometimes get anxiety when i'm driving and know other members here also have anxiety when driving so you are not alone on that one.

It is good to read that you are doing cognitive therapy as that really does work well so keep working at that. There is a site called www.moodgym.com which you can do CBT on the web and it is free. I hope things get better for you soon and keep posting here and I am sure you will find the support you are looking for welcome to the family.

Hibee

Hi Kells and welcome! I am glad that you have found us here, and I,m sure that you willfind this is a great place of information and support!

There are many here whocan relate to what you are dealing with. We All have different, yet uniting struggles, and we take care of each other like a family;)

I hope that you will post often, and look forward to getting to know you better!

Take care,
Scaredy Cat

P.s. sorry about the typos...sending from my phone..hrd to type!

Hi Kells,

I went through the fear of driving for months back in 2009 but had to force myself to get out as I had a sister uptown in the hospital for 10 months.  I spent much time worrying about how I was going to drive up and when I got there worrying how I was going to drive back - spinning thoughts. 

Here are a few tips for you - hope you find them helpful.

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 think I am one of the few people that like grid lock - all cars slow down and are more likely to let you change lanes on the freeway.  I really hate the feeling of driving in a NASCAR race. 

A warm welcome to HealingWell and I look forward to getting to know you better.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Hi Kells,

I'm MaryEdythe, also new here. Anxiety and depression, type 1 Diabetes, Adrenal Hyperplasia, prolapsd uterus, morbidly obese, in other words a peer. Gr8 2 meet u. Thankful and gr8ful 2 b here.

Hi to the newbies, I am also one as well :) and also hello to all non-newbies :)
I have had panic disorder for 20+ yrs, anxiety and depression on and off almost my whole life.....
the most irritating phobia i have is taking medicine. not sure if anyone else here deals with it, but it is horrible to have all of these symptoms and unable to take meds for it. i can take a half a xanax or even just a quarter of one only if i HAVE to have it. i suffer lots of terrible side effects from nearly everything i try to take. even anti-biotics :(
i was at my worst panic-wise 10 yrs ago. but thanks to a wonderful therapist, i am able to lead a mostly normal life now:)
but i NEVER take that for granted, knowing how fast my panic can creep up on me and take hold. i have been very blessed the past few yrs.
i have used food alot for comfort(when dealing with depression and "normal" anxiety) and so i also deal with weight issues.
working on that now tho:)
this seems like a very helpful place with lots of nice people.

Kells,

Thanks for ur warm welcome!

I feel really happy 2 have joined thanks to u. I've got bags of frozen food 2 put away. I'll be back in a few.

*ME*

Hi MaryEdythe!!
Great to "meet" you!
yes it is terrific that we are both here, and joined on the same day too, lol. yesterday was a good day indeed:)
what can i say, something just led me to this site i guess?
wonder what took me so long tho...i could have used something like this YEARS ago......
better late than never.
yeah i am in the eastern time zone. and you are pacific? i guess that would be 3 hrs difference.
i am usually on here anywhere from 8 or 10 pm, till.......whenever lol, you know how that is.
insomnia, grrrrrrrrr, hate it.
anyways, i look forward to "talking to ya" more in the future!

maryedythe,
i understand those very well:)
i'm around and about.

hope the repair guy gets you all fixed up tomorrow.
no, thankfully we are not involved in the latest snowstorm, it looks HORRIBLE tho. i feel so bad for those affected.
no, not in contact with any aussies. watched a vid on it and in cairn everything looked ok there after a rough night i think. just lots of debris blown about.
no, i have never been west or northwest before. i love to travel, but am limited to driving vacations. can't fly, i would totally flip out, lol.
i was born in atlanta and now live in rural ga.