I use to love to drive but about 1995 my sister was passing away and I was taking my board exam! I was driveing my mom to my house and felt overwhelmed and just stopped the car and couldnt drive anymore .I felt like I was going to blow up inside.since then I avoid the freeway except short distances ,I want to go do things again to drive and feel comfortable like I use too.I feel anxiety when I drive on the freeway! any help for me?
2006-07-05 16:23:19 · 9 answers · asked by jessy 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I say try what they call the flooding method in phsycology, just hop on an empty freeway and go upto 100mph... ok perhaps not the best idea, but it could work, if not have a friend drive you and let you hold the wheel or something, just try anyway you can to work back into it.
You have to just let it all out, sounds like you have a lot of stuff in your head pent up, just let it out, whether by crying, or screaming, or going 100 on the freway, hehe. Perhaps you might want to try a therapist if that's an option. Oh yeah or you can get prescribed Xanax, great anxiety meds, makes you sleepy though so beware.
2006-07-05 16:28:57 · answer #1 · answered by Spero 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually used to have the same problem. I would get anxiety just from thinking about going onto the freeway. You don't have to rush yourself. When you're feeling comfortable, go onto a freeway that you know well, when there's not a lot of traffic and go a short distance and then progress from there. Once you get used to it and feel comfortable you can go further distances with no traffic, then short distances with traffic and so on. If you are feeling stressed, you may avoid the freeway altogether just in case. It helped me...hopefully it'll help you :) Good luck!
2006-07-05 23:31:56 · answer #2 · answered by WhateverHappened2MyLunchbox? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be familiar with your area or at least the route you're taking. Before taking off for your trip, check out the exits along the route in case you start to feel overwhelmed. Also, look for alternate routes off the freeway you can take at the exits in case the freeway becomes too much for you. Bring a friend you trust who is not afraid of the freeway for morale support. You'll be able to switch drivers if needed.
2006-07-05 23:30:37 · answer #3 · answered by Mariposa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trust that the vast majority of people want to get home safely to their family. Human beings have an uncanny knack to follow rules that form habits, like, following traffic at a safe distance and driving within painted lanes. Lastly, drive 55 in the right lane and use cruise control. Follow the rules of the road to the letter and your confidence and faith in your fellow driver will grow. You suffered a panic attack many years ago. You are ready to be totally healed. Take deep breaths and keep your hands at "10 o'clock and 2 o'clock." Stop at a truck stop and see just how cool and life loving truck drivers really are. Really. This will increase your faith. You'll do fine.
2006-07-05 23:33:45 · answer #4 · answered by Sleek 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this isn' t about the freeway; this is about death. this is about your sisters death, your death, your moms death, your death on the boards or the test you were taking. this is more than just the freeway. you cant answer it on a yhaoo answer board. this is bit bigger than that. you might need a more trained professional for a period of time. its ok. its about being overwhlemed, its about flashing back and not knowing, its about memories youre not aware of. dont do this yet. go see some one first.
you need to understand that other people on the highway have their lives at stake, too .
2006-07-06 00:02:15 · answer #5 · answered by tally m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My best friend had this problem when her husband was killed and she couldn't get to him in time.
The one that the we worked on together was I would always ride with her and we took it a couple of miles at a time.. before you knew it she was driving further and further... I kept talking to her or we would sing to the radio and she'd focus on something else besides how far she was driving. Now she drives all over the US on vacation and without me *LOL*
2006-07-05 23:32:13 · answer #6 · answered by Lisa B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best way to get over your fear is to jump in and do it...so get a girlfriend...download some good tunes, and hop in the car...just go until you can't drive anymore...good tunes are important...especially being able to sing along to them...having a good friend with you as well is always a good idea...good luck
2006-07-05 23:32:35 · answer #7 · answered by tmkennedy79 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quite whining, buck-up and deal with it. The only person who can get you through these things is yourself.
2006-07-05 23:33:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you considered closing your eyes?
2006-07-05 23:30:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋