Distance Driving Alone

[Julie Ann]

I have panic attacks when I drive distances alone. I live about 45 minutes from a big city. I am wanting to go back to college and I will have to travel there to attend college. I have drove there several times for other reasons but not freqently enough to overcome this problem. I sometimes get so scared during my drive that I call people on my phone and figet to much trying to keep my mind off of what I am doing. I use to not have this problem but I had a car accident in the rain and after that I have had this problem. It has been about ten years since that happen and I am tried of this holding me back from a better future. I would just like some support. I bought the program in April and have been doing the breathing excercises. I hope they will help. I am thinking about traveling there tommorrow to talk to some counselers and sign up for a enterance exam test. Not Sure I am trying to decide.

[~*schnauzermom*~]

I can say that I sometimes feel the same way. My fear of driving alone also stems from a previous car accident. I live four hours form my parents, so I found the best way to overcome it is to just do it. I bring along good tunes to distract my mind as I sing along, and I also use my bluetooth to talk to friends. I understand what you're going through. I, too, commuted from home 45 minutes to go back to school and after a few days it just became like habit. Actually, the bewilderment and dazed feeling came over me most of the time (which probably wasn't the best for driving), so I hardly ever had a panic attack. When I did feel one coming on I just took a deep breath and reminded myself that I had done this drive before and that I would be fine. You'll get there. Don't let anxiety stop you from living your life. You'll regret it later. You can do it!