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New Member Mysty1 - fear of driving over bridges, and other situations

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Posted 7/19/2011 2:59 PM (GMT 0)

 Posted Today 5:42 AM (GMT -6) by Mysty1

I know this post is old, but I'm hoping that I can still get some responses from people here. I currently am fighting this very problem and am so happy to have found others that share my experiences.

For the past 2 years I have had a fear of driving over bridges, and other situations where I am unable to pull over in case of an emergency. A normal freeway with a shoulder is not a problem, and city streets are just fine, however when I find myself in a situation where I have to be 100% commited and have no (out) I tend to get myself worked up and I experience what I feel is "passing out behind  the wheel" starting...

It has yet to happen to me, however I fear that I will lose consciousness and wake up injured in an accident (which injured myself, and worse someone else....) or worse, not wake back up at all...

And the thought of this just perpetuates my fear even more making it worse and worse everytime....

Has anyone else experienced this? My biggest fear that drives all of this is that I'm afraid of hurting someone from passing out behind the wheel... It has never happened, however the more I fear it, the more it feels like it could be a reality and I'm tired of feeling this way.... I'm tired of canceled trips, avoiding life because of a fear that I know deep down stems from nothing...

 

Posted 7/19/2011 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
  Posted Today 9:30 AM (GMT -6)   by paniccu

I don't have the fear of passing out, but I've had panic attacks on the thruway and I don't drive them anymore. I feel like being dizzy and lightheaded would be the equivalent to driving under the influence. I'd love to be proven wrong though. I wonder if there have been any studies done about this. You know when they monitor someone on a closed circuit after they've had drinks? I wonder if they've ever monitored people who have panic attacks while driving. I've conquered many fears, but I can't convince myself that this isn't a rational one.

Posted 7/19/2011 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mysty. The symptoms of anxiety are really frightening! I have had times when I feel faint, and have feared losing consciousness. I never have though, and have learned that it is pretty rare for someone to do so during panic.

The reason is, that almost all fainting episodes are due to low blood pressure. The brain is not receiving enough O2, and therefore seeks to get the body in a supine postition. The most effective and surefire way to do this is to faint.

When we are in a panic state however, our blood pressure is not low. In fact, it's usually elevated to the point of ensuring you'll remain conscious. You may still get the symptoms/feelings of being on the verge of fainting, but it rarely happens.

Try breathing exercises when the symptoms hit. We have a great Anxiety Resource Guide (main page 3rd post down) that can give you links to sites that teach these...and more.

I hope that this helps, and that you can feel better all around soon. Check out those sites, and practice breathing and relaxation exercises everyday, I think you'll find it really makes a difference

Take care,
S.C.
Posted 7/19/2011 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Mysty,

Welcome to HealingWell.  I look forward to getting to know you better.

Most of us have a slight fear of driving. A frightful incident while driving creates an impression in our mind that plays to itself the next time we drive. When I have to head out on the freeway my anxiety shoots up so I try to avoid freeways as much as possible. However this is not always possible.

The trick is to catch the moment of fear before it soars to uncontrollable heights. Just keep yourself occupied in the present moment and you’ll be just OK. 

Just look at the present moment. Look at the cars ahead of you. Enjoy the experience of operating a marvelous machine on wheels. Keep your breath flowing and don’t let it lock up. Be aware.

This is what works for me:

1. Relax your forehead, eyes and jaws. You’ll be surprised how much tension you had unnecessarily built up around that region. Tell yourself it’s fine to relax the muscles of your face.

Relax your jaws and slightly part your teeth. A relaxed face is not going to drop your stance; it is going to equip you with more awareness and alertness.

2. Slightly roll your head both ways. Roll your shoulders clockwise and anticlockwise. Bend your shoulders blades backwards and press them against each other. Hold for a few seconds and relax.

3. Squeeze the wheel tightly with both your hands and relax. Repeat a couple of times. This will make sure you are not holding the wheel with more effort than needed.

Practice this relaxation technique periodically to get rid of any anxiety while driving. You can practice it on freeways, traffic signals, or before entering a bridge.

When I feel the panic starting to overwhelm me I will shout out loud to myself - I AM OK ..........I will repeat this until other drivers look at me like I am not with the program and then I laugh as they change lanes to get away from the wild woman.

I hope you continue to post here and the forum and to know that you are not alone.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 7/19/2011 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Driving can cause me extreme anxiety too... I've been in 2 rollovers, and after the second, you couldn't get me near a freeway, driving or passengering. Now I drive on the freeway regularly, though never in a snowstorm. Both my rollovers were in a snowstorm and I've been able to narrow my anxiety down to just driving in snow.

Over the years I've gotten my confidence back and my anxiety is slowly fading. Though I do still get panicky driving sometimes on the freeway going fast. I never go super fast, only up to 75 even if the speed limit is higher. And I hate that feeling of going around corners too fast when you can feel the pull of the vehicle. I used to think that vehicles would just randomly roll, but with therapy and relaxation and time, I now realize that vehicles don't randomly roll. LOL.

When I was younger I loved roller coasters, completely trusting in the equipment around me. Now, however, if I get on one, I just feel like I'm in a rollover again and I panic. Can't do roller coasters anymore. Oh well, it's not like I have to. :)

Anyway, cars are actually safe, I realize again. And I ALWAYS wear my seat belt. Darn thing has saved my life 3 times (was in another accident where a lady ran a red light and I t-boned her, I would slow down for every intersection for a year after that). We just have to be careful and do our best!
Posted 6/10/2014 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
I used to be terrified of driving over bridges, particularly the Bay Bridge near DC. No therapist, anxiety group counseling, or meds helped me at all. If anything, they made me feel worse about myself.

What did help, however, was playing the driving video games at Dave and Busters and other such places. I set the game to drive over the San Francisco Bridge. At first, I was actually frightened even tho I knew it was a video. But I kept doing it and went as fast and crazy as I could. I lost ALL my anxiety about bridges.
So I keep doing it for that reason.

I have other anxiety issues. But it's kind of amazing that I couldn't even drive to the beach without going all around the bridge. And now, I have absolutely no fear of the Bay Bridge or any other.

Hope it helps!!
Posted 6/10/2014 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Senses,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell and thank you for posting.

Isn't the Bay Bridge in California, technically known as the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge ?

This thread is from 2011 so I am going to lock it down, however, I invite you to start a new thread of introduction so all of the members can get to know you better.

This is done by clicking on the 'new topic' button which will open a new thread for you to post your introduction. This will help members see your first post.  It is best to start your own 1st thread rather than attach it to an old thread that way you will get more responses.

I look forward to getting to know you better.

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