help

[starla]

Hello my name is Star and I just joined this website. I have a terible fear of driving in traffic. My mind is so custom to this fear I hope its not to late for me. I actually didnt make it to work today because of the construction and the backup of traffic Whats the first step. My doc put me on zoloft but so far it hasnt kicked in and I know it wont help unless I help myself and stop running from my fears. Any advice?????

[Fiore]

Hi Star

Welcome to this forum where you are one of many in the same boat. It's is never too late!! Joining this forum shows that you want to overcome your fears, and it's a good place to start. Have you got yourself the Fear of Driving Program? That would be a good move.

Keep posting to let us know how things are going for you and all the best of luck!
Fiore

[Rich Presta]

Hi Starla,
First, just relax, you're doing the right things but coming here. Of course I think the program is a good idea too, check out my blog as well, I think I have some good advice there too. You'll find lots of people here doing very well, and they're all very nice and courageous. You're in good company. Except me of course :)

Rich

[teaser]

Hi Star!

Fiore is correct - getting the program is a great way to start.

I was placed on Lexapro for awhile (eight months), but I did very little in terms of "helping myself," i.e., Fear of Driving program; and I found that I was certainly less anxious (and other side effects), but my fear was still there. I believe I was expecting all my symptoms to just vanish (silly me). So "helping yourself" to this program would be a great addition.

After getting off the Lexapro, and trying to "deal" with it myself, I found the Fear of Driving program. I am on my third time going through the program (I'm a slow learner or umm... not very patient? :lol: ) And it has been wonderful this last time around. But I really had to stick with it and I had to want it.

If you buy the program, all I can say is don't get discouraged... it takes time and patience. Remember you are retraining the brain.

teaser

[Pauline Sheldon]

Hi Star

Pauline from England here

I know what you are going through I have had a phobia for years and I did not drive for about one year because of this fear all kind of avoidance methods used - to the point I would get in and out of the and then go back in the house and feel such a failure - I started the program about a month ago you have to really go through it and read it methodically and use the exercises - the relaxation aspect of it for me is the key - I did not realise how wound up I was - how I was beating myself up all of the time I could think of nothing else - and because i did not tell anybody it becomes a vicious circle - the program explained the mechanism of this phobia - it help me understand and gave me lots of tips to relax and most importantly made me feel I was not on my own.

i think the key is to stretch yourself - respond to this fear really respond to it - observe it have a really good look at it - accept the fear - and then say bring it on more and more - what I found is when you learn to relax you find you can do the above.

I am still at the beginning - I have managed to drive around the block at the beginning I have driven about 4/5 miles around my area - what I found most interesting was after doing the exercises that knawing feeling in the pit of my stomach really subsided - which I find incredible - keep going Star we are with you all of the way.

Always remember you are not on your own.

Kind Regards
Pauline

[Fiore]

Hi Pauline,

I'm maybe "criss-crossing" my posts here, but just wanted to say that you are going great. A 4-5 mile drive is a mega achievement for you relative to where you have come from. It is so heartening to hear all these success stories. It is also terrific to see an increasing number of forum members making regular contact in the forum.

Keep it up

Regards
Fiore