Driving on highways

[CarolM]

did it this weekend for the 1st time in years. did it at a time when there wasn't much traffic. Also only did a 1 mile stretch. I really don't see how i'm going to get thru over this fear. it seems sooo daunting and scary. i know i should be happy i tried but that's not how i feel. I feel pressured to fix this problem. it was easier when i just ignored it.

[tdilland]

Con-grads you need to be proud of yourself. You proved to yourself that you are not going to allow fear to stop you. You need to give yourself credit. Remember that you can get in the slow lane and let people pass you if they need to. Take your time when you feel nervous or scared tell yourself "I am going 1 more mile" when you make it there tell yourself "I am going one more mile."

[rrocco92]

That is awesome!! I have a similar anxiety but I won't ride in cars anymore. My anxiety randomly started a few months ago and I was able to ride in a car for the first time yesterday. I completly understand that it is scary but you did awesome just by being able to drive that one mile!! You did it, and soon you will be able to drive on highways more than that!! You can do this!!

[jhenry]

All progress is positive, you did great choosing a good time to try when it wasn't too crowded. Try making 3 small goals and 1 big goal for 6 months away. When I had that problem I did as a small goal to drive on a back road once a week, to drive in my small town once a week and to drive a highway once a week. I told all of my family that if they wanted me to get better they had to be supportive and if they got stressed by me they needed to deal with it unless they wanted to get my groceries and run my errand for the rest my life. It was not a fun conversation but if I got too stressed they knew they would have to come pick me and the car up. I drove alone because it made it harder to give up. I knew I would have to call them and they would have to come and get me so it would really inconvenience everybody. I took my i-pod and listened to a relaxation cd where I pulled off the road then I decided to finish the trip or call the family. Most of the time I called the family and they would say ok you are going to have to 30 minutes and then 5 or 10 minutes later I would feel like trying again they only had to get me once now I can drive even in big cities but it took about 8 months. Any progress you make is just one step closer to that big goal. keep up the good work.

[lance86]

I think that is really good that you were able to get on the highway. I have problems driving too. I have been trying to talk to myself when i get in the car and keep telling myself i can do it. I just finished sec #2, im going to try to keep doing these steps. Im really afraid cause on sunday, im going on vaction and i have to take a bus and i havent been on one in a while and the last time i almost freaked out.

[listen2music4fun]

Every time you make a little more progress---get exited and happy about it! =) That's what I'd do---instead of thinking,ugh 20 more miles, how am I gonna do it ?!? Just look at it and think, 1 down, another 1/2 mile done, oh wow already another 1/2, now I'm at 2, doing great!! Sounds chessy, but just saying it to yourself reeeaaally helps!