The Fear of Driving

'I hate driving'

Now this statement surprised my friends, I went on about learning to drive for about 6 months before I could and I have a huge love of steering :D I enjoyed driving for the first 6 months I was surprised it was so much harder than driving a LEGOLAND car as I cant multi-task. I passed my test and enjoyed the freedom driving gave me although I knew I was really anxious about what I would do if I got myself in a bad situation and how quick my reactions are. After a year of passing my test I realised that the anxiety I had put down to being a new driver wasn’t quite right and was in fact getting worse, I didn’t want to drive to far or on my own.

Building Fear and Panic Attack While Driving

 

Over the summer holidays this year my fears started to get extreme I found that I would mentally prepare to die as I approached a roundabout or changed lanes, my heart rate would become sky high but as soon as I had completed that specific move I would be fine so ignored it. Then a few months ago I was sat in a long queue waiting to go round a tractor (lots of them in the west country) my car Toyota Yarris wasn’t doing well in first as it would be too jumpy and second would have meant I would stall. I was worried I would get myself into a pickle and began to hyperventilate. I was getting really hot and was on my own, I felt like I couldn’t breath and my thoughts were racing, luckily I was able to drive off not long after this and the effects completely went away. I ignored this and just thought I was being silly. I now don’t want to drive unless someone is with me and wont go very far. (Have not stopped driving since writing this post altogether until I get the support and skills to help)