Hello Everyone! Just found this site and it looks like precisely what I am looking for. You stories all sound so similar to mine. I am 29 and have never had a driver's license. I was a passenger in a (rather bad) accident some 12 years ago, which I blamed for causing my anxiety around driving. I also made up excuses such as living in a place where plenty of public transportation was available, and having friends (and a husband now for the past 6 years) who would drive for me. Occasionally I would tell people that I was "nervous" driving, but I don't think anyone except my husband and mother realize what a problem it really is for me. I had bona fide panic attacks between the ages of 23-25, but they are gone now. I think a combination of breathing exercises, "reality checks" and other parts of my life becoming more stable have helped. I never used medication. They are basically gone. BUT I still cannot drive (and yes, I'm a horrible passenger as well). We are moving to a place in a few weeks that REQUIRES me to drive. By the way, I even bought myself a car in October and HAVEN'T driven it yet -- until this week. How silly is that? So, I have worked up the courage to ask my husband to assist me in learning. (BTW, my husbadn is a car fanatic, and loves to race -- I imagine people have no clue why we're together). My goal is to drive "just a little" each day. So far this has just been around the apartment complex's parking lot, and once about a mile down the street, but my confidence is gaining. Then yesterday I hit my neighbor's car while trying to park. Ugh! See, I also have the greatest fear revolving around being in/causing accidents. Luckily, it wasn't even really a scratch, and he was able to get it off, no harm done. I was overall very calm about it. Still, on my trial drive today, I was VERY shaky, and my confidence is gone. That's what prompted me to look up this site. I guess I'll just keep trying, but by bit, exposure by exposure. Any thoughts? I did sign up for the Panic Program, BTW.

I have had anxiety about driving as well. A couple months ago I had a really bad panic attack driving home to visit my parents. I was completely alone, and there was nowhere for me to pull off. It was so scary, and ever since I have been afraid. I don't like being anywhere that I can't get away from and traffic makes me very nervous. Sometimes it is better if someone is in the car with me, sometimes not. It is becoming very crippling. I hope that I am able to conquer my fears but sometimes I have doubts.

Diane - I also have a fear of driving while crossing a bridge and it has also started suddenly for me. I have been experiencing panic attacks for about a year now... I had been driving for 23 years and never had a problem... For me it's not even ALL bridges, the attacks are much worse if the bridge is long and goes upwards..(can someone explain that???) Anyhow, what I wanted to say is that you are not the only one and what has helped me somewhat is to cross little short bridges (I feel like I am conquering it), keep the radio turned LOUD and the windows down. I wish you much success!!!!!!!!! Sammie :)

Great, Andrea. Having someone accompany you who understands and will encourage you in a positive way will work wonders. So be positive about it and do keep us posted on your progress? -- Anne-Marie, Site Administrator

Hi, I am so thankful to find those who understand. I thought about the suggestions and it seems that my husband leaving would kind of ease the pressure a bit. I know it will be a great suprise to him to find me at least attempting to get behind the wheel. I have started on breathing exercises and they seem to help. I think that the best person to help me overcome this and be my teacher would be my mom. She has been thorugh it before and I know she totally understands. Thanks for listening ;)

Dear Andrea, Your husband leaving must be a very scarey thing to be facing...but it may also be a blessing in disguise. It is hard for them to deal with this day in and day out, and sometimes they do begin to feel resentful. If you have a trusted friend that you could tell about your problems, and get them to help you, wouldn't that be a nice surprise for your hubby? For him to come home and see that you've made progress? Without him? :) You could begin by checking locally and seeing if there is a support group for you. If there is, you could ask and see if someone there would "sponsor" you...which means that they go with you and help you to learn to do it....with kindess and complete understanding of how hard it is for you. And start small...."baby steps" as they say. Also, talk to your doctor about something to help you short term with your panic/anxiety symptoms, like an antideppressent or one of the benzodiazapines, like the xanax or valium. But be very careful with these, as they can cause drowsiness, and are very addictive. And go someplace that would be fun for you, that your husband didn't enjoy....that way you are also "rewarded" in a way. (My personal favorite would be either an antique store, or a picnic) Be aware too, that since you are so used to your husband being with you, that you may feel anxiety in other situations other than just the driving part, but your friend/sponser will understand this and help you with it. If not, be sure and tell them. One of the hardest things that I had to deal with in my own treatment, was telling people what was wrong with me. I still haven't told most people, but I have finally told just a few very close friends and family, and it has helped a lot. It took a lot of energy (that could have been spent on learning coping skills) to pretend that I was ok when I really wasn't ok...if that makes sense. I don't know if I'm supposed to be telling you all of this, because I am brand new to this site...but I just felt for you, because I have been in your shoes. I use to be completely housebound...I still have a lot of trouble, but my "cell door" has opened enough for me to see some sun. :) I hope this helps you a little, and I am betting that you can do this. Good luck to you, and keep this site pos

A friend of mine sent me this site yesterday, and I am both amazed, and thankful. I too have a terrible time with driving. I have been doing the exposure therapy, medication, and all of that. I am feeling like it is something that has gotten better, but will always be very very hard, and so I am discouraged. I drive every day, even if it's just to the local post office, but highway driving is the worst. And freeways are totally out of the question, for myself and everyone else's safety, lol. I have found that eating sunflower seeds helps me tremendously...it gives me something to do, and distracts me just enough to keep me from becoming paralyzed with fear. I have tried several antideppressents without much luck, and am now only taking xanax, which I am developing a tolerance to, which I know is bad. I can usually drive ok (not well) if I have someone with me, but I can't pass cars or go over overpasses, which of course drives them crazy. I have the type of panic where my blood pressure plummets, and so with all of the other symptoms, I also start losing my vision, become disoriented, and have even on a few occasions blacked out....like in the grocery store. ( I told them I was pregnant, lol) I live in a very rural town which makes the driving easier, but it also means that to do any real shopping, or go to doctors and stuff, I have to go to the nearest town wich is 40 miles away, so that puts me in a bad position. We use to have a wonderful MHMR here, but since losing funding a few years back, it no longer provides much in the way of services, so I am pretty much on my own as far as treatment. I am hoping that thru this site, I will learn more, and have someone to talk to besides my boyfriend who is great, but sometimes he gets tired of dealing with it, and really, doesn't even understand it. I have read a lot about it, and researched it on the internet a lot, but haven't seen anything really new in a while. I am hoping that maybe I will learn new things here....and like most of you....I am forever hoping and searching for the "magic bullet" that will cure me of this. In the meantime, I will take my meds, practice breathing and non negative thinking, and visit this site on a regular basis. Thanks for listening! :)

Hi, Andrea. I'm sure it doesn't help when you feel attacked by your spouse. Perhaps when he is gone, you can undertake this at a reasonable pace for yourself. Do sign up for the Panic Program and set reasonable goals for yourself. We'll be here to support you. -- Anne-Marie, Site Administrator

Hi, I just found this group. I am 23 years old and I am terrified of driving. I have driven before but only for short distances and on rural roads. I can't explain what is wrong with me and it is embarrassing to talk about this with people because they look at me like I am crazy when I say I am afraid to drive. I feel like my whole life revolves around my fear. I am a stay at home mom and I don't hardly go anywhere unless my husband takes me. My husband has been my "chauffer" ever since we have been together(7 years). Recently though, he has become very annoyed by my not driving. He is always making fun of me and has called me a loser for not driving. He says I am using my fear of driving as an excuse not to work or run errands. The funny thing is my mom didn't start driving until she was 25 and my sister who is 20 is also having this problem. I will be turning 24 this month and I feel pressured to overcome my fear and get a driver's license. I also have huge anxieties when I even think about having to take a driving test. My husband is in the military and will most likely be deploying overseas soon for 6 months, maybe longer and so I will have to drive. I am so glad I got this out, just knowing that there are other people who know what I am talking about and understand makes me feel alot better! :)

Hi Diane, I am a new member and I am glad I stumbled up on this site. Prior to last July I did not know anything about Panic Disorder. I started having panic attacks while driving. I have always had phobias about bridges, tunnels, hills and curves but they have never interfered with my driving to the point that I could not drive. I am not sure why I started having them suddenly. I thought it was menopausal so I call my gynecologist and he prescribed Celexa. I told him I did not feel depressed but he said that was the medication for panic disorders. I am now taking Paxil CR and I am not sure they are working any better than Celexa. I have improved somewhat becasue I am driving more now. At first I had to have my husband drive me to work because I have to crossed a bridge to get to work no matter which way I go. I am always afraid of causing an accident because I am so gripped with fear I feal like stopping suddenly. When there is a shoulder to pull off on I do so very quickly. I find myself going out of the way to avoid the areas that cause me the most fear. Yesterday I drove to work with no problems at all. But When I started out for home I must have pulled off to the side a half dozen times. I would stay on the shoulder until all the cars passed then I would proceed on. I tried talking to myself and telling myself that I could do it but it wasn't working. I was told by a friend that medication alone would not work. She said that I needed counseling. I am wondering how many people out there going through what I am going through are going to counseling and if so is it helping? I would appreciate hearing from someone.