olivmich
07-31-2009, 10:44 PM
I bought the Fear of Driving Program a few months ago. I read through it all and listened to all of the sessions on CD. But it took me until about a month ago to really get serious and start using the program. I have to admit that I'm doing much better than I thought I would. My fear is driving on the highway. I haven't done it alone in about 4 years and it's been about 2 years since I've driven with an adult passenger.
I've reached the point where I now get out and practice on the highway several times a week with my husband. I've even driven 25 miles on the highway and back again! That's something that I totally didn't think I'd ever be able to do again. I still get nervous and it's not really that comfortable, but I'm doing it which is a big step.
The real problem that I'm still having is with doing it alone. I'm petrified to take that step. I did try it once about a week ago and drove for one exit with my daughters in the car. I used my breathing and ROAD technique and was really, really nervous. But I did it, which made me proud of myself. However, I've yet to bring myself to do it again alone and just the thought of it makes me anxious.
I know that the thought popping technique will probably be really helpful for me but I'm having a tough time with it. I find it hard to sit still for 20 minutes and pop back and forth with my thoughts. When I "pop" to my scary thought, it doesn't make me that anxious. Any advice for how to better utilize the thought popping and how to get past the anticipatory fear that I have about getting on the highway and practicing alone?
Thanks!!
I've reached the point where I now get out and practice on the highway several times a week with my husband. I've even driven 25 miles on the highway and back again! That's something that I totally didn't think I'd ever be able to do again. I still get nervous and it's not really that comfortable, but I'm doing it which is a big step.
The real problem that I'm still having is with doing it alone. I'm petrified to take that step. I did try it once about a week ago and drove for one exit with my daughters in the car. I used my breathing and ROAD technique and was really, really nervous. But I did it, which made me proud of myself. However, I've yet to bring myself to do it again alone and just the thought of it makes me anxious.
I know that the thought popping technique will probably be really helpful for me but I'm having a tough time with it. I find it hard to sit still for 20 minutes and pop back and forth with my thoughts. When I "pop" to my scary thought, it doesn't make me that anxious. Any advice for how to better utilize the thought popping and how to get past the anticipatory fear that I have about getting on the highway and practicing alone?
Thanks!!