Driving anxiety

[Darcelle]

Hi everyone this is my first post here!

So this may sound silly, but I have, for some unbeknown reason to me, get severe anxiety from driving. This is not through driving itself as I am a very confident driver. It is more the aftermath, when I get home and start to overthink things. For instance, 2 weeks ago I was driving down road doing under the speed limit which is 80km/h. When I got further down the road I saw a sign that said 'End Roadworks". But i hadn't seen the initial sign indicating that there was road works. So now I am freaking out (as I always do) about receiving a fine. But the anxiety does not stop there. This situation has happened many times before, when I have been driving under the speed limit, due to anxiety I always drive at least 5-10km/h under, I will get home and my mind will start to wonder whether or not I looked properly, or whether I had missed a sign and even to go as far as wondering if anybody has reported me that day because they were having a bad day, or felt as though I did something wrong. Does anybody have any tips on how to reduce this anxiety? It is leading to sleepless nights as I am constantly researching the fines and the implications around this sort of thing. I am a student paramedic and no the implications of speeding as I have seen it first hand what the consequences are. It's a hard situation to explain, but I opened up and spoke to my Dad, and to clear my mind he has experienced a similar situation, in which he has come across a sign and thought 'well where are the roadworks?', and detoured back around to see that there was no signs indicating beforehand of the works. So it may have been a similar case?

Thank you 🙂

[PamelaR]

Hi Darcelle and warm welcome to our forums

It is good you've found your way here, shared your story and asked some very good questions.

Does anybody have any tips on how to reduce this anxiety? There are many threads here about managing anxiety. Feel free to do a keyword searches for driving anxiety and/or self help tips for managing anxiety.

From what you've described, is the anxiety about driving or something else? For example, doing the wrong thing?

I'm not a health professional, just someone with lived experience with PTSD, anxiety and depression. One of the major things I did to help alleviate my anxiety is to - identify the trigger. While you think it is seeing a sign at the end saying - end roadworks, the trigger maybe. Damn, I've 'missed something'. How could I do that?

Once I've found the trigger, it then helps be to change the story I've been telling myself which has keep my anxiety symptoms alive and active. It would go something like -

• oh blast, I've missed the change in speed limit, I'm going to get caught.

To,

• well did I or did I not miss the change in road sign? I'll have a good look tomorrow when I pass. In the meantime there is no point in worrying about it.

If you want to have a look, there is a workbook on worrying available from the Centre for Clinical Interventions at the University of Western Australia.

Hope some of this helps Darcelle. You're not alone. Kep reaching out if and when you want to.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[OllieB]

Hi, darcelle

first of all I just wanted to say what your feeling is not silly it's real and I totally get it. I still have my Learners and have had them for about five years now and still have very limited hours every time I get in a car to drive I panick and that leads to me avoiding the whole notion of driving, so in a way you are brave for even being able to get in the car. Have you thought maybe about a dash cam bit of a weird idea but maybe if you could go back and see that you actually did nothing wrong when your mind goes to that place of fear it might help. I don't have much other advice for you at this point that Pamela R hasn't already mentioned other than to say your not alone and again your feelings are never silly.

[Scotty2013]

Hi Darcelle i wish i had advice, I've given up driving , only in ER situations i do. I would also drive way under, and it just got to a point it wasn't fun anymore, well fun isnt the right word excruciating. I do miss it though at times, but i would worry i would end up hurting someone from my panic or lack of focus. Try to keep at it its good your driving, perhaps when you get home watch something on netflix so the thoughts don't come in.