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over it!! driving/in car anxiety

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Posted 8/9/2015 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all,
i have been able to make progress in my anxiety and panic symptoms and have been able to learn some tools in order to aid me when feeling anxious. however one thing i can't seem to get over, is the intense fear and anxiety i get when im in the car!! it's weird because im usually okay when i drive to work and what not, but the other night i was in the passenger side of my mums car, and i just felt so tense, hot like i couldn't catch my breath, choking feeling and i just wanted to JUMP out of the car as crazy as that sounds lol. My car did go up in flames in 2012 and i was very on edge for ages after it occurred but i was able to get on with my life. However i don't understand why i feel so trapped and anxious when in cars now?
sorry for the essay, but does anyone else get like this? and if so, how do you deal with it?

TIA xx
Posted 8/9/2015 8:26 AM (GMT 0)
You said you are not anxious when you're driving but feel tense when you are in someone else's car. Very clearly it means that you feel comfortable and confident when you are the one driving and in control of the car. You can always change routes or stop whenever you want to when you are the one driving. When someone else is driving, you can't. That's why.
Anything you have no control over you will feel anxious about.
Posted 8/9/2015 8:37 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for your reply Melodee, i never thought about it that way but it's true. I'm a bit of a control freak so sounds right haha :P
Posted 8/9/2015 8:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I am the same I feel fine when I am driving but get anxious when others are driving I think it because when you are driving your mind is occupied with driving and watching the road ahead of you so you don't have time for anxiety. When you are in the passenger seat you have time to think about things which can make you feel anxious.

I just use my self help skills when I am a passenger to help me get on top of my anxiety the Mindfulness 5min breathing space is a good thing to learn as that is really effective.

Hibee
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