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alycat
08-31-2008, 02:11 PM
I took drivers ed in highschool. I drove ALOT in driver's ed, in fact I was the very first to drive. I wasn't really that scared driving at the time. I passed my permit test with a 90. After drivers ed, I was old enough to get my license. The first time I practiced driving with my mom she freaked out after about two minutes and I pulled over to the side of the road, got out and haven't gotten behind the wheel since. I can't imagine something THAT small could have done it, but I dunno..

Now I am 27, going on 28. I have a husband and a four year old son. We live on a navy base and most things we need are in walking distance if I have to get them. However, if my son has an appointment, my husband has to ask time off from work (the taxis here in Guam are EXPENSIVE..) to take us and his work just doesn't understand. My husband is good about it but definatly lets me know when they give him crap about it. He is in the Navy so it's kind of hard to get certain days off. When we were in Hawaii he had a real jerk of a boss that kept telling him I needed to learn to drive asap.

It's honestly embarassing. The thought of getting beind the wheel sends me into the sweats and I start to panick. I worry I will get in an accident, kill someone or myself and my family, get pulled over and yelled at, hit someone elses's car and get yelled at, have a panick attack and freeze up at a light or intersection and literally not be able to move with car horns blaring around me. I think it might partly be that I also suffer from social anxiety. And alot of the fears that I have with driving seem to be social situations..being stuck in traffic with other cars, having a panick attack at a light with other cars beeping and yelling at me, getting in an accident and either hurting or killing someone or having them scream at me and call me every name in the book, possibly getting violant, having cops pull me over and making me cry, etc..

It's so hard to tell people this because NO ONE gets it..they can understand fear of snakes, heights, spiders, airplanes, etc but they can't figure out why ANYONE would not want the freedom of being behind the wheel. I try my hardest to avoid telling people because they just give you that look. In fact I had a dream a week back that my husband found it easier to lie to people and say I couldn't drive because I got a DUI than having to tell them I have a phobia of driving. Like people would understand that better. Eventually I have to tell people, especially the ones that keep asking me to go places with them and will probably expect the same favor in return someday. Whenever getting my license or learning to drive over again gets brought up I get really, really aggitated and uncomfortable.

annie
08-31-2008, 07:23 PM
Dear alycat,

No, you are definitely not alone... I think you would be surprised just how many people there are with a real fear of driving. And even those who don't have this overwhelming fear still often have moments of anxiety when behind the wheel. For example, I just had a conversation with a friend who admitted that every time she passes a semi she feels panicky. The difference is that she doesn't allow this feeling to get the best of her and shut her down. Those of us with a fear of driving have somehow gotten to the point where we've let our feelings/thoughts get the best of us and made us think that we can't drive. But we can. It's going to take a lot of work for you and all of us to get past our fears but we can do it. You just have to take it one day at a time... or one mile at a time, one block at a time, whatever. You will be able to get behind the wheel someday and drive yourself! I think you will find this forum a great help. I know when I'm feeling discouraged, I only have to read a post from one of the members and I feel better... like maybe there is hope. Hang in ther alycat.

annie

p.s. It sounds like you have a terrific husband who supports you!

Fiore
08-31-2008, 11:13 PM
Hi Alycat and welcome to the Forum!

To even join this forum and share your situation is a good sign that you are ready and have the courage and determination to take on your issues with driving. Keep us posted on how things are going.

Good Luck
Fiore

Pauline Sheldon
09-04-2008, 03:53 PM
Hi Pauline here from England

You are not on your own - I have had a phobia about driving for years did not drive for about a year - drove myself mad - in and out of the car looking at it from the window etc - using lots of avoidance tactics with people all sorts of things - I have been doing this programme for about a month now - I am back in the car driving - not far but i am trying to build up the miles gradually - it is not easy - in fact it is scary - if I can do it you can - this forum does help alot because it gives you support - all I can say is give it a go - i so empathise with your introduction - just keep going and let us know how you are doing - you can do it - read the programme methodically - do the exercises - Me - I find the breathing and the ROAD section really beneficial.

I felt as if this program gave me hope of tackling my phobia - I am sure it will help you.

Take care

Kind regards
Pauline