Driving Anxiety

[Bomber11]

Hi

This is my first post so I may struggle to put my feelings in to words. Driving in unfamiliar places raises my anxiety to extreme levels in some cases, blurred vision, shortness of breath and racing heart that leave me avoiding going anywhere out of the ordinary. I’m finding it hard to rationalise the feelings or work through them so I can work on a solution. I feel as though I’m missing out on travel opportunities and seeing new places and the longer it goes on the worse it becomes. The same feelings come about in most unfamiliar surroundings and I have this innate fear of not having my bearings and losing my sense of direction. This is something I’ve worked with and put up with for years. Anyone experienced anything similar

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Bomber11,

A very warm and caring welcome to the forums..

I certainly can relate to your fears of being in a strange area or driving in one...This also happens to me...

I have google maps on to help me out in getting their..I think I drive under the speed limit to much because the roads are scary to me...I haven’t driven on them and don’t know the condition or what’s up ahead....

Being alone in a new area, whether it’s a shopping centre, a different town or even a park is definitely a no for me..it really makes me feel very vulnerable...you are not alone with these thoughts and feelings...

Is it possible to go to new places with a friend or family member until you get used to the new surroundings...and not feel so anxious...

I wish I could offer some suggestion to make it easier for you...The feelings of blurred vision, shortness of breath and racing heart could be a panic attack...to get through those please pull over and stop..then concerntrate on what’s around you as well as deep breathing until everything settles down again for....Please try not to continue driving while your having a panic attack...for your safety and the others on the road...

If you search in the search bar...top right hand of this page for a thread titled...”Grounding What is it and how do we”...their is some good information and suggestions on making a Grounding box that you can keep in your car and use when you are experiencing the symptoms you have experienced...

Talk here anytime you feel up it...some more lovely community members hopefully will call in and give you more support...

My kindest and most caring thoughts..

Grandy..

[Amanda2000]

Hi Bomber11,

Yes I dread driving on unfamiliar routes. I continued using the old-fashioned street-directory for many years because I found the GPS unreliable. In fact I had the worst experience 5 years ago driving through Sydney city and I've avoided driving into the city ever since. I missed a turn and ended up going onto a major motorway that led to a completely different direction. You can't just u-turn and come back to where you had started. I tried following the signs but had no idea which one to follow - Sydney north, south, east or west? I was running late for my child's school concert. Total loss of my bearings as you have described. My heart was racing. I wanted to cry! I just kept driving round and round hoping to end up somewhere I could recognise. Miraculously somehow I ended up at the concert venue and did not miss the performance. So dramatic! I feel traumatised reliving the experience as I'm writing this. During the ordeal, I managed my anxiety by asking myself what's the worst that could happen - I would miss my child's concert but everyone will survive, there was no real danger. Maybe this can help you. Give it a try.