Dear Asterie, I was very happy to read your email. I don't try to drive everyday as that feels like pressure. But, 30 minutes is about what I can do too. So many times I have driven canyons and mountain roads which is now impossible. I have had someone join me twice and each time I get a little ****her before I have to let them take over. I haven't tried freeways yet. But I live on the Pacific Coast Highway where everyone has to drive at least 50 mph. It has been difficult. I don't know many ways to control the attacks, but, I found I am doing what you had suggested. I am in therapy, but, know that when I recover is up to me. Thanks for all your words. Sincerely, Linda

Hello! Im not sure where you are located, but I know that I just found this driving school in so california where they do this type of thing. I just searched under yahoo, behind the wheel driving school los angeles. This is what I found: http://www.raceschool.com/ They teach you how to drive under different conditions and how to get out of accidents. Sounds good im so afraid of accidents and driving grr. I dont have my liscence yet.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I too take vitamin B complex and a multiple vitamin. But I still take the Paxil CR. I want to see how well I will do if I stop taking it, but I am afraid to stop taking the medication. But I do believe that one day I will overcome this fear just as you have.

Thanks for your post Marianne. Sounds like a great choice for you. However, we have to be careful here. "Choosing" not to drive for the reasons you describe is different from avoiding driving because of fear. If someone chooses not to drive, that's certainly okay. However, if their fear forces the choice on them, that's not okay for lots of people, and it can cause a lot of problems. At the extreme, we have to be careful about giving people good excuses for their avoiding what they fear.

For what it's worth: There is a positive side to being scared of driving! People can live quite happily without driving cars! Ok, it's nice to have a choice, but I've only driven twice since I got my license 19 years ago and I don't miss it one bit. I go everywhere by bike, which keeps me fit and healthy. I see the world at a much slower pace and am in touch with nature and the changing seasons. I don't have to spend large amounts of money on gas, tax, repairs and insurance, all I need is a new inner tube every so often. And I don't pollute the world with fumes and noise and ugly heaps of metal! Marianne

It's really good to see this topic posted, as I sometimes feel like I might be the only one who is apprehensive/nervous/fearful about driving. (That's a far cry from when I was 13, certainly!) I think it has to do with a lack of practice on my part (no one wanted to take me out when I was learning in school, I distinctly remember my dad displaying all signs of nervousness which rubbed off on me), and when I did (sporadically) drive in D.C., I was so unprepared and had to be somewhere at X time, and was new to the area, so I got lost easily...you can see the snowball effect, eh? Plus, I had always lived in public transit dependent areas, mainly cause buying a car was too expensive for me, and will spend next year in Korea, with again, no car. I passed my CA driver's license written test with flying colors, but it's going to be at least two years for me without driving in a car when I come back. Is driving a car like riding a bike? :) But next year, In a strange twist of fate, I plan on relocating to Southern California in 2004, and I'm going to have to face the prospect of driving every day. I hope that with enough practice, and preparation, I will be OK. I forget who posted it, but I liked the person's idea to take the car out when you don't need to be anywhere at anytime, to reduce the pressure on yourself. Good tip! Laying off the caffeine and then buying the Thomas Guide and becoming friends with it seem like good ideas too. But I have to admit I am a little apprehensive at the prospect of me in a car, still, and hope that I can seriously get over this hurdle. I am even in the process of writing a story of a woman who is 35, and is going to drive for the first time in like 20 years becuse one of her earlier experiences scared the buh-jeezus out of her and one day she realizes she has to do it..she has to face the fear she has and drive. (I'm hoping to self-motivate myself and paint a happy picture of overcoming self-doubt) LOL. Everyone drives, and driving just seems like a symbol of freedom and independence (not to sound like a car commercial or anything) and I really want to be one of the millions of people who drive without worry everyday. Any other tips for me? Thanks for your help! :)

I must pass this information on to everyone that suffers from the fear of driving. I use to be terribly afraid, but I knew I had to get to work and had no choice but to drive. I did 2 things, I gave up coffee and I started taking B vitamin supplements. After a few weeks, my fears went totally away! Now I am normal again, and it has been almost a year. I recently moved to Los Angeles and I drive in LA traffic every day with no fear!! Good luck to you all, but I urge you to take a look at your caffiene intake and try giving it up for good.

It's good that you're doing exposure work and that you keep on going forward. Sometimes you have to start back with driving around the parking lot again but thats okay. Be sure to download the Panic Program for more tips on how to do exposure. I will post some exposure tips for you all. -- Anne-Marie, Site Administrator

Hi, We are in the same boat! This week has been very difficult for me. On Monday, I drove to and from work like a champ. The very next day, I could tell as soon as I got in the car and started driving that something just wasn't right. I had so many attacks before I got to work. I had to pull off to the shoulder so many times. When I got to work I was a complete wreck. It is so hard to explain to someone else exactly how I feel and what is going on with me sometimes. Most of the time it's the traffic that make me nervous the most. But that day, I had the panic attacks when there was no one else on the road but me. It is so discouraging. I don't understand why some days I do just great and some days I am such a failure. I know that getting the proper amount of rest and sleep is a key factor in how I am driving. But there must be more. I pray a lot while driving and I will pray for you also. Take care.

Welcome Aisha. Congratulations on the work you're doing to help yourself. As you can see you're not alone. Keep posting. I'm sure your determination will inspire others to keep trying, and as you progress, your story and suggestions will help others as well. :) -- Anne-Marie, Site Administrator