HELLO

[melissanecz]

Hi everyone -- Rich thanks for putting this up, I think its a terrific idea. Well, Im 46 with a 5 year old and having been having my driving problem for about 7 years now. Its pretty typical. Started out as fear of bridges, went into highways, freeways, far from home..etc until Ive been reduced to about a 5 mile radius from home. I started this program at the beginning of the year when I signed my daughter up for swim lessons 20 miles from home. I completed the two week swim lessons several weeks ago. The first week was really shaky, my husband took the week off to help me through, which I did but the second week I had to do on my own. I had a few shaky times, but I did it. The anticipation of the drive was always worse than the drive itself and I felt so terrific once I made it. Im taking a breather now, and well with gas prices so high (ok, im using that as an excuse!). My next challenge will to be on the parkway...Ill take one exit at a time. Thanks again for this board. Its so interesting to read everyones story and realize Im not alone. Oh, by the way, two things I find terrific when driving, one is a blue tooth, so I can call my husband for support and another is having a GPS, although I don't go far now, its a great gadget to have so you don't get lost.

[mcjames]

Hello. I live in California and have been battling this fear of driving for about 10 years now. I have seen doctors on this issue and have been medicated also. The thing about meds. is you never know how they will react to each person. I have tried them all. Now I am currently on Prozac and xanax for "depression and anxiety". Anyway, I am trying out this program to see what happens. I have been doing the exercises daily and think I am on chapter 12. I also am reading the supplements that were given when I signed up for the course. I hope to gain control of this issue. It has really put a damper on my life.

[Rich-Admin]

Howdy,
Welcome aboard!
A few people have told me GPS is helpful. I'm not a big fan of having crutches, but they're ok as part of the process and if you don't NEED them long term (plus GPS is COOL!)
I just got a GPS unit one almost exclusively so I could put audiobooks on the memory card and play them in my car since my car isn't spiffy enough to be able to accommodate my iPod.
I've only really needed the GPS to get me someplace twice, and both time it couldn't find the address.
I suppose if I don't know where something is out in the stick of Wisconsin, neither does it.
But my daughter likes watching it from the backseat, so that's a plus.

:)

Rich

[jjfree]

From CA as well. I started having freeway phobia about 18 years ago; I am shocked how long it has been. I started avoiding more and more. I am 47 and also going through the change of life: oh boy. Anxiety symptoms with heart palpitations are increasing. I ski, hike and am very active. I have good friends who drive my SUV and we go to the mts and off to wonderful places. I also have a loved one at the coast and he always needs to come my way or I have a friend go with me his way. I would LOVE one day, to get in my car, and just drive without too much thought. I always think that everyone has something that they have to struggle with , and mine is anxiety. I have made it a monster and trying to get it down to size. I have been distracted with getting through the program but I think that is my avoidance because then I have to actually drive. l do well with "thinking" about my plans of driving, just not "doing" it. I have many books, etc. I know if we can just get through the terror "within", it will get easier. way to go Melissa that you are doing it. I know we need to keep doing it. Perhaps, I can get motivated by this forum.

[Lupe]

Hi M.C. & Melissa,

Lupe