New anxiety issue

[Debmc471]

Hi everyone

I’m new to anxiety and am feeling it in a specific way. I’m finding myself scared of driving and have done so for the past few days. Has anyone else felt the same?

Thanks

[M99]

Hi Debmc471,

Welcome to the Beyond Blue community and thanks for reaching out to us. It sounds as though you are experiencing anxiety specifically in relation to driving. I have not had the same experience in the sense it was specific, however I'm sure some of our community members have.

This also seems like a new concept and experience for you. I understand this can be quite stressful especially if it is unknown territory. How are you coping with all this?

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety

Here is a link that has information regarding anxiety facts, symptoms and how to address them. If you familiarise yourself with some of the common symptoms and anxiety information, maybe this can help shape your understanding about anxiety.

Hope this helps!

Take care.

[Tay100]

Hi Debmc471

Thanks for posting, we appreciate you making it here. It's valid to feel anxious in response to certain things- driving can be one of those things for many people. If you don't mind sharing, why do you think you are anxious about it? Has this only started happening in the last few days?

We could brainstorm some coping mechanisms and navigate getting some further help if you like, especially if you are new to anxiety.

Let us know what you'd like to do- we are here to listen and help!

Tay100

[Debmc471]

Hi everyone

Thanks for your support. The background is that I have bipolar and have had a medication change. Apparently, the anxiety is a symptom of that but I've never had anxiety before and it's hard for me to believe it's going to go away. I'm not sure why it's so specific but it's horrible. I can't drive anywhere, can't pick up my kids, can't go to the shops - can't do anything. I'd love to know how people deal with this.

Thanks

Deb

[CalmCat]

Hi Debmc471,

Thank you for starting this wonderful titled forum, and your open and honest response.

Our bodies are so fragile and sensitive when it comes from medication changes, I know first hand also.

And the answer from me is yes, my anxiety sky rocketed when I had medication changes, it only natural during our mental health journey. You are not alone!

All I can say is to listener to your GP, other mental health professionals and stay strong! All your persistence will pay off, I promise you.

Regards.

Doz

[Petal22]

Hello, sorry you are feeling this way...I’m recovered from ocd and anxiety in general.....my advice is do things your anxiety is telling you not to do... the more we do what are anxiety is telling us to do the more we enforce it..... “ defy” your anxiety you CAN do this don’t let it stop you... you are stronger than what your anxious about.... push forward 😀

[Petal22]

Please don’t allow your anxiety to stop you from doing things you want to do... like picking up your beautiful children and going to the shops.... do these things with your anxiety....

When I was in the thick of it I had the mind set of I’m going to keep doing the things I want to do...even though it was hard.... push through ....

have you thought about doing therapy for anxiety? There are so many tools our professionals can give us... I was lucky enough to go to a ocd clinic they gave me the tools I needed to overcome my ocd and anxiety.....😀

[Petal22]

Your anxiety will get better... you need to tell yourself this... and believe it... better days are coming and you are not alone 😀

[Missy72]

HI there

I'm quite new to anxiety myself. I've had 2 bouts of it..after trauma. It's the worst...but it slowly goes away. Mine take about a year to fully subside. Both times I've been hospitalised in a private psych hospital, suffice to say it was crippling anxiety. Please do the things it tells you not to. As hard as it is..you have to try to continue to live. You may not feel like you. I certainly didn't. It was like I was looking at my life from the outside in. I'm still recovering, trying to get my sleep back etc..but it's getting easier. Hang in there.

[OrganizedNotReally]

Hi

thanks for sharing your story.

My father has bad depression and anxiety and driving was a real big block for him too.

what he found helpful was to have someone with him in the car when it was really bad and drive short distance and slowly build up your confidence again.

once you get reassurance that you CAN do it, you can use it to “beat back” the anxiety with demonstrable recent experience.

it is tough but HANG in there