Hi from W.I

[Chris]

Hi,Im a 21 year old guy currently living in W.I.Im having lots of trouble with driving.I didnt get my license until earlier this year and have had this problem for as long as i can remember.Alot of people I know that are my age have had their licenses,and have been driving since they were about 16-18 years old.This makes me feel really upset at the fact that Im having so much trouble with driving and everyone else seems to do it with so much ease,as if its as easy as breathing.It also makes me feel pretty embarressed,since in today's world its as if the usual age to really know how and feel comfortable with driving happens sometime around the mid-late teen years.I dont have much experience driving but,I get so nervous when im behind the wheel that Im constantly having to pull over so i can calm myself down.My driving instructor saw this but his only advice was for me to either drive home or relax and continue on with the lessons.Alot of the time i found myself driving back home my anxiety was so high.Forget about only being afraid of driving on the highway (that would be a nightmare for me and ive never done it before)or over a bridge,Im afraid of doing any driving at all,even driving close to home terrifies me.I feel as though even if i were to get a car (since I dont have my own right now)I probly wouldnt drive it because my fear is so great.I really dont know how to describe what it is I feel or what to do about it.I just get nervous almost like i dont know what im doing and im going to get into a car accident or drive down the wrong lane or something,even though I took about 10 driving lessons and i passed my road test.Its become a really helpless situation for me.This situation makes me feel even more helpless when i want to take a girl on a date(I dont want to take her on the bus) or when my job requires me to travel.If i cant even get behind the wheel how am i supposed to do those things.I really need help,no I desperately need help.Its gotten to the point where i dont know who to turn to.Good thing is ive already ordered the deluxe version of the program.I hope that was a good investement since driving is something that almost seems impossible for me.Well now that youve heard my desperate situation,Im hoping that I and everyone else on this board,whatever their problem with driving may be,can overcome it.Thanks and good luck in this journey to recovery.

[Fiore]

Hi Chris,

The fact that you have been issued a driving license shows that you are physically and legally capable of being in charge of a motor vehicle. My dad, for example, isn't. He suffers from Parkinsons Disease so no longer has the mental/physical capacity to be in charge of a car.

Think of it like this: You are licenced so you have it within you to drive responsibly.

Now you need to work through the program and develop your confidence. My driving fears hit me after many years of competently driving. It was completely out of the blue (that maybe is an Australian expression).

Take small steps and in conjunction with reading the program, working through the exercises, make a few demands on yourself and hopefully you will start to flourish behind the wheel. Keep us up to date with progress.

Regards
Fiore

[kharris]

Chris,

I hope you meet the right girl, who loves you for all you are, she could be the one that helps with your driving fear, I think having a driving coach, one who will get you behind the wheel and urge you forward, is the best way to go. My son-in-law (I'm old, 53), who has had a few anxiety attacks himself but not while driving, has coached me a few times and it really helps to have someone give you a little inspiration, he says to me while I'm driving, "put your energy into your confidence in yourself instead of your fear. Also, just having someone say, "your doing great", helps so much. So find that girlfriend that is understanding, so what if she has to drive on the first date, just make sure you buy dinner!

[kharris]

Chris,

I hope you meet the right girl, who loves you for all you are, she could be the one that helps with your driving fear, I think having a driving coach, one who will get you behind the wheel and urge you forward, is the best way to go. My son-in-law (I'm old, 53), who has had a few anxiety attacks himself but not while driving, has coached me a few times and it really helps to have someone give you a little inspiration, he says to me while I'm driving, "put your energy into your confidence in yourself instead of your fear. Also, just having someone say, "your doing great", helps so much. So find that girlfriend that is understanding, so what if she has to drive on the first date, just make sure you buy dinner!

[kharris]

Chris,

I hope you meet the right girl, who loves you for all you are, she could be the one that helps with your driving fear, I think having a driving coach, one who will get you behind the wheel and urge you forward, is the best way to go. My son-in-law (I'm old, 53), who has had a few anxiety attacks himself but not while driving, has coached me a few times and it really helps to have someone give you a little inspiration, he says to me while I'm driving, "put your energy into your confidence in yourself instead of your fear. Also, just having someone say, "your doing great", helps so much. So find that girlfriend that is understanding, so what if she has to drive on the first date, just make sure you buy dinner!