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Posted 11/22/2006 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and my husband has to work which means I have a 45 minute drive to my brothers all by myself...Well with my one year old son also but he usually sleeps. I hate to drive and am having anxiety about it already..This is absolutely ridiculous....The Holidays are supposed to be a fun time and I dread them because I have to drive somewhere....Any suggestions?????????????
Posted 11/22/2006 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Can someone pick you up?
Can you practice drive some today?
Do you have meds, or a therapist?
Posted 11/22/2006 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Well i would love to not go but i am a firm believer in forcing myself to face my anxiety...I have meds which usually help i just hate that i have to rely on them to feel good... My family does not understand my anxiety at all...i don't think that they ever will...
Posted 11/22/2006 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Well try and rationalize it then. You have meds if you need right if you use or not they are there. Just remember to breathe anticipatory anxiety is usually worse than the actual act.
Posted 11/22/2006 10:30 PM (GMT 0)

I think it better to get there some other way, a big dose of presumably benzos and driving dont go together well

but all the usual CBT relaxation and coping skills will help, remember the deep slow  breathing

to drive, it helps to stop every 10 minutes, park and get out and walk around to cool off and relax, then contiue

Posted 11/22/2006 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
HI Harry4, I understand you were a long time sufferer of panic and anxiety.  Well, I could use your help right about now.  I too am a sufferer of panic and anxiety.  Mine started 12 yrs ago.  After I had my daughter I started getting pvc's (which were not diagnosed until only 2 yrs ago), so when I went to the Dr's 12 yrs ago, I was labeled as having PA disorder.  Which I was having because I thought I was dying. Anyway, I am having 17 people over my house for Thanksgiving, my husband is away on a business trip and I have been having MAJOR anxiety and much increased pvc's because of that.  I am mad at myself because I should know better than to even let myself get into a full blown panic mode but it seems to have snuck up on me.  I am feeling "alone" again and could just use some words of encouragement.  I have already done everything to set up for tomorrow.  All I have to do is put in the turkey tomorrow morning.  And my sister is even cooking half of the food.  I have no reason to be this anxious so of course I'm thinking I'm dying of something again.  Would love your (or anyones)advice.  Motherly
Posted 11/23/2006 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa - so sorry you are struggling. I think you shouldn't fight taking your meds before your drive. You should be with family during the holidays. This is not the day to avoid taking your meds. Take your meds, get out of the car every 10 mins like Harry suggested, breathe, listen to nice music. Stop and call a supportive friend (arrange this ahead of time) and go have a nice time. you deserve it!

Motherly, you are doing great. My goodness, you've done so much already in preparation for this dinner. Your anxiety is brought on by stress. Tell yourself that you are going to have a beautiful day and then it will be over and you can relax. Sometimes knowing that the stress is "temporary" is helpful. Don't forget to breathe and why not go take a bubble bath before the big day?
Posted 11/23/2006 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
Thank You hopefullmigrainer, I needed that pep talk.  I get so mad at myself sometimes cause I get so wrapped up in the preparation and "anxiety", that I don't have good time.  But now that you reminded me to, I will make sure that I have a beautiful day!!  Happy Thanksgiving,  Motherly

Posted 11/25/2006 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi lisag
I am so proud of you for facing your fears..takes great courage!
I'm with hopeful on this one...take the meds, stop for breaks, remember to breathe...and most of all when you get there give yourself some well earned praise and have fun!
People who have not 'been there and done that' with anxiety don't always understand..but hey, you can just about guarantee that at some stage of their lives they are gonna suffer from it too..and then they will understand for sure :))
Maree
Posted 11/25/2006 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
thats messed up. if you cant drive can you take a bus? i get so much anxiety driving and you have a child in the car! will you be safe??
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