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I have a terrible fear of driving!?
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I have a terrible fear of driving!?

I feel so out of control at the wheel. I have horrible anxiety about driving but it's something I have to get over a.s.a.p! I feel like no one understands the fear I have, like they think I'm an idiot for not being able to drive...I'm fine driving around in my neighborhood with no traffic, but when other cars come around I freak out!
Am I the only one with a driving phobia?
How can I get over it already!


    




epwirjuorbitu
Rating
I still have that fear. It never really goes away, at least in my experience. The only way to suppress it is to remember what you've learned so far about driving, keeping focused on the road. It will prove easier the more you drive, and the farther away you travel. When someones passing you, just acknowledge that they're to your side, keeping in your lane as you were before. Sometimes driving with another person can help, if it gives you comfort to do so. Just remember that you aren't the only one, and that it will only get easier the more you drive and get accustomed to your vehicle.


mom
Rating
♥ ♥ practice practice practice ♥ ♥


methyphobs
Rating
It's not completely abnormal to have a fear of driving, as to how many accidents there are in a day. If you are focused most on your driving and don't have many distractions, hopefully everything will turn out fine, and it usually does.

My advice? Stop watching Scariest Police Chases.


Mere Exposure
I always find it odd that people are afraid of sharks (10-20 deaths per year) or skydiving (4-8 deaths per year) but driving yields 3,000,000 injuries and 50,000 deaths per year and most people aren't afraid of driving. I think you are the one with their head screwed on right! I stay off the road whenever possible and don't make unnecessary trips but sometimes you have to so make yourself as competent of a defensive driver as possible. Seek more training.


phoenixheat
Rating
I understand your fear. I had a period of time where I was the same way. Although I am not overly religious, I would say a prayer that my anxiety would go away and that I would be safe driving. It worked and eventually my fear of driving went away too. Good luck to you.


Benji
Rating
Listen Miss Daisy, I ain't gonna drive you. With a fear like that you are going to kill someone for sure. Take public transportation until you get psychiatric help or get rich and can hire a limo.


chatxleau
i had the same fear when i started driving...i was petrified of it.

this is a good thing. people should be nervous when driving. too many people are reckless on the road and think they are immortal - or worse that they are driving in a video game.

listen to "mom" though .... the best way to feel more comfortable is to get behind the wheel more often.

and remember, when your time is up - it is up. some people die in cars ....but some people die while walking across the street or while sleeping. just be responsible and pay attention and you'll be ok.


kitofabian
Rating
heat your car up, that should calm you down.


iktomi_3
Rating
First of all you just don't get over it. It takes time. I can understand exactly how you feel with the anxiety. I suffer from motion sickness so I have to drive. I don't have a problem with it but I can understand how someone could. Usually the anxiety is a result of something traumatic but sometimes it just happens. Start out slowly. Maybe you might need some medication to help. See the doctor and start out slowly. Drive around the neighbourhood when the traffic isn't as hectic yet more than what you are normally comfortable doing. Take someone else with you. When you master that, then increase it slowly until you aren't feeling anxious anymore.


Blot
Keep your eyes closed, it is not nearly so scary.


♣♫♪Metallica-is-coming!♪♫♣
The same way most people get over their's: either think of it logically or face it. So either drive around until the phobia isn't felt, or think about it this way: Very few accidents are lethal, If you can drive fine in your neighborhood with no cars, then anywhere else, you should be able to do just as well.


Joel C
Rating
Don't worry I used to be the same way! I would tense up if another car came while I was practicing. Just keep on practicing and you will get used to it


my sign
I got my license when I was 17 but never really drove until I was 30 years old. The only thing that helped me get over my fear was maturity + professional instruction. My teacher told me that I was right to be afraid because driving is a serious responsibility and that people like us are less likely to be in accidents once we learn all the rules of the road, what to expect, and get lots of practice. Start out by driving the same routes everyday and branch out as you gain confidence. If you really have trouble, see a psychiatrist and see about getting some medication to help you control anxiety while you learn.


Sugar
My aunt was that way. She use to chew gum and sing when she drove. Funny huh? It worked for her. She is much better. Now She just sings.


vanamont7
Rating
Get over it.


Succubus
No, my friend. You are not alone. My sister has exactly the same fear and is in a similar situation. She relocated from NY to Atl and now MUST drive. She has yet to do so. When she rides in my car or even in a bus she is silent and super alert with darting eyes and clutching the hand rests. I also had a friend with the same problem.

You know your problem better than any of us. You should drive only in places where you feel comfortable and in control or you may cause an accident and some one can be hurt.

Try hypnosis and or talk therapy or just accept your condition and make arrangement for someone to drive when you cannot.


dottieinNM
Rating
One thing to do is drive with someone who understands your fear, so they can help keep you calm while your driving. There is such a phobia and can be treated with meds. See your doctor or a therapist who can prescribe you some anti-anxiety. Good Luck and please be careful.


yes_its_me
Why don't you take driving lessons with a professional who will be able to take over when you panic. The fear will subside with practice and this is a good way to get the practice and have someone who is knowledgeable and confident help you.
PS They have dual control cars if that would help.


The*Hazard*
Rating
Learn more about car safety. Remember the chances of being in a fatal accident, and how airbags and seatbelts help you. Once you understand how safe a car can be, you should be less nervous.

Hope that helps


Raymond
then keep the rest of the road safer and dont drive.


XenonAudio
I completely understand your fears. I've had this fear before.
You just have to realize that everyone on the road is just like
you -a human behind the wheel. There's always going to be
better drivers and worse drivers than you.

To help eleviate your anxiety, you have to work your way into
the driving scene. Driving on the freeway is a good start be-
cause, you have less to think about and more control of what
you have in front of you (to traffic signals and pedestrians and
crossing traffic that you have to consider).

If you are worried about getting into traffic, you can minimize
your anxiety by going with the flow of traffic and pay attention
to your driving to make sure you don't interrupt the smooth
flow of traffic -and thus other drivers will leave you alone and
let you get to where you're going will little drama. There will
always be drivers out there that mess up this flow of traffic
which in turn will cause short-tempered drivers to start mild
cases of road rage and aggressive driving out of their own
frustrations of not being able to deal with other driver's short-
comings or just not driving the way they want them to.

A few tips... Fear of the unknown can cause anxiety, so the
more experience you have with all types of driving conditions
and on different traffic situations, the easier it will be to drive
in most types of traffic and roads. Give yourself plenty of dis-
tance between you and the car in front of you. Give yourself
plenty of time to get to your desitination so you don't feel like
you have to rush (which may cause you have less patience
and more potential for making driving mistakes that cause
some other driver's to get upset and try to take it out on you).
Also, find less travelled routes along with avoiding the peak
rush hour times if you don't need to be on the road during
these times.

The biggest point I can make is to make over your mindset
about driving with others on the road. Know that others are
just trying to do what you are trying to do when they get be-
hind the wheel -get from point A to point B. Watch other
drivers and decern whether they are trying to drive as a
team, or are driving like they are the only one on the road
and know to keep your distance from these latter drivers.
You can also avoid getting harrassed on the road, by blend-
ing in, obeying traffic laws, and not doing things that would
draw attention to yourself and your anxiety should be grad-
ually lessened over time.

H a p p y
D r i v i n g !


claireybearyfairy
Rating
No I once saw a program on people who had out of control phobias and this was one of them. The woman then got over her fear by seeing a psycologist.


Baby
Rating
get over it. start driven slow i did it. know thats all i do.


Giving a helping-hand
Rating
I kinda do, even though i'm almost 15 and i hardly have ever droven it's very reasonable, you don't wanna screw up. My grandmas have never driven in their whole lives. It's okay because i'd feel the same way, but don't be afraid of yourself behind the wheel, it's THEM you can't trust because some people are just plain reckless. Don't worry we all have fears, yours just happens to be one that is very different from everybody elses.


Geoff S
Rating
See a psychiatrist. Get your GP to prescribe you some Ativan. Meditate. Take some deep breaths and calm down!





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