How can I cure this driving phobia?

Question

I have panic and anxiety disorder and have gone for months, weeks years- and had no attacks or anxiety. Lately, when I drive far from home-30 miles or more, I get really anxious and panicky and the closer I get to home, even seeing the familiar roads, the better I feel. I am not homebound by any means. I used to love to drive and it was relaxing but no more. I just keep thinking about getting home. My mom was the same way and so is my brother. This may sound stupid but sometimes I think that if I drive somewhere far away, I won't be able to get home. I take Xanax and sometimes that works, I have tried the radio or a favorite CD- but it seems like I am concentrating on this so much I don't even hear it.
Also, freeway driving is out of the question right now.Anybody???

Curiously, I would rather drive at night than during the day.

Answer 1

It's a good sign that you can drive up to 30 miles from home without experiencing the symptoms. Keep taking your Anxiety medication as prescribed by your doctor as this has been helpful for you. The answer to overcoming this problem is to break it up into "bite-size" pieces followed by rewards as your successes accumulate. Begin by incorporating as many factors that contribute to your sense of comfort as possible. These might include:
- Having someone you trust and who is supportive of you go with you.
-Begin by going for a soda or coffee to a place 25 miles away and gradually increase the distance by 5 miles each time. The drink is the reward and a restful break before you drive back home.
- Play a relaxing CD while driving rather than the radio. Some people prefer to keep the radio off because they can concentrate better. You don't need to focus on the CD; it's background only.
- Continue to use a familiar route as familiarity provides emotional comfort.
- Some people find it helpful to draw a detailed map listing all of the main streets before leaving and that way they can always pull over to the side of the road to check the map if necessary.
- Also remember that you can always stop at a store, gas station, etc. and ask for directions.
- Don't worry about driving on freeways where the pace is pretty hectic. Remember that a slower pace is less anxiety producing.
- Plan these driving excursions on a regular schedule so that they become automatic.
- If you feel particularly panicky on a drive, pull off of the road and practice some simple meditation exercises. The break will help to relax you.
- Don't expect too much of yourself right away; take your time to achieve this goal.
- If you have a cell phone take it with you so that you know that you can always phone for help or encouragement.
These steps are similar for dealing with any kind of phobia including flying. There's nothing like achieving small frequent successes to motivate the attainment of bigger successes.
Good luck to you and I hope that these suggestions are helpful.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Just keep doing it even if you feel terrible,,the sypmtoms you have will eventually stop when you realize nothing will happen to you, even when your super anxious. The fear eventually loses its power to terrify you. So remember, practice, practice, practice.

Also if the anxiety gets in the way of you living and enjoying your life, please ask about anti-depressants. Those are what is given for ppl with anxiety disorder now.
About 30 minutes of exercise daily really helps too. You would be less stressed if u put all that energy into your work out.
There is a natural remedy i have heard about that ppl swear by,,its called: Bach Rescue Remedy and is available at health food stores either in a bottle or a spray. It's just a floral spray that for some reason calms ppl down during anxiety attacks.
good luck.

Answer 4

Hypnotherapy isn't used close to as often appropriately. Get a e book and reed up on it. $600 is a small fee to pay to get your existence back. i like hypnoses and became into waiting to therapy my spouse of a existence long hypersensitive reaction to cats. not extra purple whelps and swollen eyes. Its complicated so do not attempt it in the previous you recognize what you're doing. do not worry bearing directly to the $600 greenbacks. do not supply up after the 1st therapy. it ought to take 2 or extra might assume for a similar $600.

Answer 5

The best thing for you to do while driving is to simply close your eyes. imagine you are on the streets near your house, and make all the appropriate erratic turns.
you will then have no problems. and if that doesn't work, you can also listen to music, and if you can't concentrate, you can always have an iPod surgically implanted into you skull.

Hope that this helps.