I stopped driving the highways completely for a few years now. I really need to get back trying them again. Anyone been able to work thru this fear? Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.Driving the Highway
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Guest
Hi CarolM, I am still a work in progress 
but I was able to drive 30 minutes, one way, from my house yesterday and part of it was on the interstate. My palms were sweating and I was nervous but I did it!! We just have to take baby steps forward. And don't be hard on yourself. Try getting on and then getting off on the next exit. Wish you the best!!
but I was able to drive 30 minutes, one way, from my house yesterday and part of it was on the interstate. My palms were sweating and I was nervous but I did it!! We just have to take baby steps forward. And don't be hard on yourself. Try getting on and then getting off on the next exit. Wish you the best!!-
Guest
Hi Carol-
I know exactly what your going through. For a while I couldn't drive at all. I would constantly have to pull over, and even now driving the highway gives me a lot of anxiety. I can only drive the highway north and south to a certain point, but driving on trips is impossible.
At first I tried to drive the highway to one exit and once I felt comfortable with that I drove to two exits and so on. It took a long time but once I became familiar with driving the highway the more comfortable I became. It is hard and I still have to pull over sometimes when I feel anxious but I think you need to take baby steps like Ms hopeful did. Try as much as your comfortable with even if its a mile or so, don't worry you will get there!
I know exactly what your going through. For a while I couldn't drive at all. I would constantly have to pull over, and even now driving the highway gives me a lot of anxiety. I can only drive the highway north and south to a certain point, but driving on trips is impossible.
At first I tried to drive the highway to one exit and once I felt comfortable with that I drove to two exits and so on. It took a long time but once I became familiar with driving the highway the more comfortable I became. It is hard and I still have to pull over sometimes when I feel anxious but I think you need to take baby steps like Ms hopeful did. Try as much as your comfortable with even if its a mile or so, don't worry you will get there!
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Thanks for the good advice!!! I like the idea of doing a little bit at a time, like one exit at a time. it helps so much to get feed back from people who really understand. I really like the fact that you both have a "do it anyway" attitude. I guess i can't expect to go from not driving the highway at all to feeling fine without out going through the panic feelings and "doing it anyway". Thanks again for the support and motivation!!! 
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This has been a limitation of mine for several years. I can still drive its just freewas/highways that get me. Oddly enough, if I am already in a big city and have to do it, I am okay. Not great, but capable. It's bridges, wide open spaces and roads with nowhere to pull off. And what REALLY bugs me is that I can drive on th service road alongside a stip of freeway that bothers me. My logical mind tells me that am only 50 feet from the "scary spot" and asphalt is asphalt so what is the difference?? This disorder makes defies all logic sometimes. I did just what Anna did and broke it down into exits. I KNOW I can handle one exit so I would do that til I felt comfortabe and then do two together.. and so on and so on. I got complacent with my alternate routes and stopped working on it. It didn't take long to lose that hard won ground either (darn!) So... I am going back through the program right now and am on good ole session 8: Anticipatory Anxiety (the one that requires you to get out and work on limitations) and have practice scheduled all week long. I am determined to get this ability back. I HATE feeling dependant on others to get me where I need to go. I HATE being restricted to a 20 - 30 mile radius. So, I am going to put all my anger to work for me and go out and kick some anxiety butt. This limitation always has made me feel particularly crippled, it is heartening to know I'm not alone with this.
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I know!! highway bridges scare the heck out of me!!! and i get the same exact fear of not being able to turn off. And the left hand lane when it comes to that I might as well take a drive on the moon. Your right this fear can really hinder your life. i can't just go somewhere on a whim...it's such a loss of freedom. And if it's a place that i need to be i have to depend on someone else like you said or take a really long route but that doesn't work for places that are far, it can be so constrictive. Good for you!! That's wonderful your going to get back trying again, all this support makes me start to feel like i could get out there to. Thanks for the help!!!
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Go for it! If we don't stand up to this disorder it just keeps on taking and taking. What kills me is I know that anxiety is a lie, that I'm not about to die, or pass out, or wreck the car. In the middle of panic I'm probably the most focused driver on the planet... its just getting a handle on the thoughts and body symptoms. Being in a place where I am willing to go through them. I know that the only way past fear is through it. Easier said than done but... by GOSH I want my life back! I know you do to. Let me know how you do! Btw, beautiful kitty cat! I have one at home that looks very much like him/her.
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Everything you wrote...You are absolutely right!! Same here let me know how it goes for you to.