Stress Center Peer Support

Thiss goes back quite a few years, but my boyfriend and I were driving to the store one night and he had an epileptic seizure behind the wheel. We ended up swerving into the ditch (i dont know how fast we were going) then up the other side of the ditch and flipped the truck, and landed back on four wheels. Since then I have always been a nervous wreck in vehicles and I havent even bothered to get my license. This was 5 or 6 years ago, and my boyfriend had been seizure free for over three years so he able to get his license reinstated. That was about 2 years ago, and ever since I become very "aware" of his driving because I am constantly scared that it is going to happen again. I am beginning to wonder if all that worry has been the contributing factor to my anxiety? Ive been avoiding driving with him whenever I can, especially since ive been having panic attacks, but its not always possible. I dont really know how you guys will respond to this, but any input is welcome
jadee

Jadee,

I can relate a little. One time, my mom and I were driving down the highway, and a semi-truck flipped over in front of us, swept across the one left lane on our side, the median, and the three lanes on the other side. The kicker is--I was about to pass him. I was actually gearing up to get into that left lane. If I had, I would have been swept off the road with him. Shortly after that experience, I was rear-ended. This has certainly caused quite a bit of anxiety for me while driving. I get panicky if someone does not look like they are slowing down fast enough behind me, and if I get stuck on the left side of a semi, then I get really, really nervous. I am not letting it keep me from driving though. I have to commute 45 minutes each way to work, and if I wasn't driving myself, I would be a prisoner in my own home. I've always had issues with driving. When I was little, around 5 or so, I wrecked my brother's go-cart, and it took me forever to get behind the wheel when I got my learner's permit. But I did using baby steps. Now, when I am in the car and begin to feel anxious, I acknowledge the feeling and tell myself over and over that I am okay. It's just anxiety. I may turn the air conditioner on high and point it towards my face. This tends to ground me some. Driving in the rain...well, let's just say my entire body hurts when I finally reach my destination. I tend to crunch myself up to the wheel and my body fills with tension. As bad of a nervous driver that I am, I am an even more nervous rider.

I empathize with you. It sounds like the experience you went through was pretty traumatic, and your reactions now are perfectly normal for what you've been through. The best way that I can see to overcome it is to just keep getting in the car with your boyfriend. The more times you do this and he does not have a seizure, the more your anxiety will decrease. It's kind of like exposure response therapy.

These are my thoughts. I hope you feel better soon!

Genie