Hurtling through time and space

[drsusieq]

Question for you all...when I first started to work on this, I did a lot of self-help reading and found descriptions of why we get panicked while driving...one that stuck with me was that because driving is such a passive activity, it feels as if we are just sitting while being hurtled through time and space...this thought totally made my fears worse. Thus, if I am in thick traffic or can follow behind other cars, I feel safer and not in such open ended road space. I do not fear having an accident. I only fear that I will panic and lose control, especially at high speeds. I want my confidence back!

[Rich-Admin]

I don't know where you read such a stupid description, but I can see why you get a little freaked by the concept.
When you drive you're not just sitting there with the world rotating under you or something, don't ruminate on that.
When you think about that ridiculous thought, turn the radio up, roll down the window, and feel the wind in your hair, see the world roll past you, and remember that you couldn't be MORE involved in all that's around you!

Remember what the program says about the reality of losing control from anxiety...ain't gonna happen.

Rich

[drsusieq]

Thanks Rich,
Your comment almost sounds like an Bruce Springsteen song, which I will now remember when I feel that way...
"So, just roll down the windows and let the wind blow back your hair...la, la, la! Thunder Rose!"

[Rich-Admin]

People always compare me to Bruce Springsteen.

Ok. No they don't. But I do. :)

[Sheri]

I totally understand that feeling....I feel so dissasociated on the open road...like I'm on a treadmill that won't stop. I feel much safer within the limits of many cars around me. How can I deal with that "unlimited" feeling? Why do I feel like that? I know I have brakes, that I have control, but I can't stop when I want to , can I? I mean, who stops on the side of a highway, that's just an invitation for trouble, isn't it? I feel like I have no way out, no easy recovery, everything is so open and so far apart to the next business that even if I have to stop...I still have to make it there. Any thoughts? Thanks, Sheri

[Rich-Admin]

What's so terrible if you had to pull over for a bit on the highway? Why is that a big deal?

[Sheri]

Well, I guess I could if I have to, but all my life I've been told that it isn't safe for a woman alone. I must have had a lot of bad messages in my life.

[Rich-Admin]

Well it's not the best thing to walk alone on the shoulder of the road, but to stop for a minute and relax a bit, and then continue on your way isn't a disaster.
My point is that whenever there's something you're afraid of, you should ask "So What?". Most of the time what we fear isn't such a big deal anyway.
If you're worried about having to pull over, "So What?" Worried about the driver behind getting irritated because you're driving too slow, "So What?"

That'll take care of a lot of it...

Rich

[Sheri]

Thank you...I'll keep that in mind. Sheri

[onceinawhile]

i kinda feel the opposite - i like the open space i have while driving and prefer flowing traffic (except on the bridge i get scared either way) . it is when i feel enclosed by the other cars are around me that i really start to panic. like when i am at a big intersection waiting for the light to change, especially at left turn arrows - i get very hot :oops: and dizzzzzzy !

it always makes me upset because i can remember a time when none of that mattered and driving was, well just driving.

ovey - can we switch for a bit?? ;)

[kharris]

I understand about being fearful of pulling over on the shoulder of the highway. Many people have suggested that to me also, however, I think it's more fearful to stop and pull over because then you just have to jump into traffic with no entrance ramp. How scary is that to merge into traffic from the shoulder as traffic is whizzing by 60 - 70 mph? I don't allow myself that option, but it also fuels my fear of feeling trapped & overly committed on the highway. My fear is highway driving, I'm fine on the side roads, I feel grounded and safe on the side roads, as if my wheels are on a track, when I'm on the highway, my track runs out, and I'm just out there!

[nethadevoe]

The last time I tried to get on the interstate, I started freaking out and thought to myself, what can I do? I have to choices, I can pull over, which isn't safe, or I can keep going, which is probably more safe. So I got to the exit and exited and then I felt nerved but okay. I think that driving on the interstate (big fear) is less evil than pulling over on the interstate. I guess because I have heard so many poeple and cars getting hit while on the side of the interstate. I guess I feel trapped because I can't just ride in the right lane because people have to merge in, and if I get in the left lane and want to pull over it may be too crowded in the right lane to get over when I want to. Then I have to wait for an exit, and hope it is an exit for a side road, not one of those exits that goes to another interstate. :oops:

[river_one]

if I am in thick traffic or can follow behind other cars, I feel safer and not in such open ended road space. I do not fear having an accident. I only fear that I will panic and lose control, especially at high speeds. I want my confidence back!

That pretty well describes where I'm at. I guess that it helps to know that I am not the only one.