Aa
Afraid of the car?!?
I have been having a lot of issues lately and I have all the sudden developed a crazy fear of driving. I am scared when I drive but I am rediculous when I am the passenger. I literally scream and **** my eyes and put my hands in front I my face. I don't know why this is happening. I have not had any bad experiences in a car. It just seems like more and more bad things are happening with me now :/ I do not even feel like a regular person anymore. I am afraid of everything and my moods are terrible. I have posted this in the bipolar forum also. But I feel this is more about anxiety. Thank u for reading.
Thank you so much for the advice! The music has really helped. I tried the games but I get very car sick :/. I see my dr and therapist soon and wil let everyone know what they say!!!
I appreciate all the comments :)
I appreciate all the comments :)
omg you are right and i bet we all dream of snakes tonight.
Especially since i just mentioned it. Ha!
om shanti
Especially since i just mentioned it. Ha!
om shanti
Hope this doesn't cause anyone to fear snakes now!
CBT is really wonderful and i do hope that your therapist engages in this with you. peace and luck dear!
CBT is really wonderful and i do hope that your therapist engages in this with you. peace and luck dear!
Yes it is classical conditioning which is good news! You can re-condition in an amazingly short time. In a weird sense we attract what we avoid. We energize and amplify it. I have worked with people with phobias----mainly flying and of course heights and everybody's favorite--Snakes. And i hate snakes--grew up rural texas.
Nursegirl is so right about our ability to retrain the brain and the first step is to trust that that is true--then trust the therapist---then trust in yourSelf. So let us know how it works out----operative word is work.
Just for fun a quick aside. Snake phobia is the easiest to "cure" and i am not sure why. Here is a simplified version of what we do. First they learn relaxation response of some sort so they can be in a relaxed state. They are sitting in a chair with a book in their hands. They open the book and see a picture B and W of a snake and look away and see if they can stay relaxed. After a while they can touch the picture. OK. How long it takes differs but usually pretty soon they can hold a rubber snake in their hands and stay relaxed. On and on we progress to a little "garden" snake and work our way up to charlie the python. You get the picture---successive approximations paired with relaxation response. Classical. And works for more than phobias. Generalizes. Once you learn the whole "trick" of it you can use it in your daily life. hey--use it on your kids like Skinner did! Kidding> But don't let them learn it too soon. Once they are past adolescence.
Alright sorry for the digression and hope you find relief soon bipolarbaby.
omhome
Nursegirl is so right about our ability to retrain the brain and the first step is to trust that that is true--then trust the therapist---then trust in yourSelf. So let us know how it works out----operative word is work.
Just for fun a quick aside. Snake phobia is the easiest to "cure" and i am not sure why. Here is a simplified version of what we do. First they learn relaxation response of some sort so they can be in a relaxed state. They are sitting in a chair with a book in their hands. They open the book and see a picture B and W of a snake and look away and see if they can stay relaxed. After a while they can touch the picture. OK. How long it takes differs but usually pretty soon they can hold a rubber snake in their hands and stay relaxed. On and on we progress to a little "garden" snake and work our way up to charlie the python. You get the picture---successive approximations paired with relaxation response. Classical. And works for more than phobias. Generalizes. Once you learn the whole "trick" of it you can use it in your daily life. hey--use it on your kids like Skinner did! Kidding> But don't let them learn it too soon. Once they are past adolescence.
Alright sorry for the digression and hope you find relief soon bipolarbaby.
omhome
Specialmom pretty much said everything I was thinking, and then some. :0)
SO much of anxiety is fed by US, and with time and practice, you can learn how to stop feeding the beast. Honest to goodness distraction is one of the best things you can do for anxiety and panic. So, like sm suggested, music, looking out the window are good things. You could also bring along a puzzle book, like a word search, etc. I have a lot of anxiety in the car when my panic is peaking, and puzzle books are a really nice distraction for me, they help a lot. That's because I'm focused on something else, while at the same time, not looking AT the carm or the traffic and other things that would make me anxious. Also, if you're like most people with a smart phone, you can download games to play in the car, like words with friends (like Scrabble), scramble with friends (like Boggle). If we're planning on going for a drive out of our local area, I save up my "turns" on those kinds of games that I play. Another nice distraction.
The brain knows what we tell it, feed it and expose it to. It depends on us 100% for all of its input. If you continue to feed it the negative thoughts and worries, it will be convinced that there IS something to fear, whereas if you face your fears...you will be giving it the reinforcements it needs to understand there IS nothing to worry about.
That takes time (and help from your mental health team). But, the more you expose yourself to the things that are causing you anxiety, the more reinforcement your mind gets that there is nothing to be anxious about, and soon you will not have that automatic fear response. Now, in turn, if you AVOID something that makes you anxious (like the car for now), then your brain will think there IS indeed something to be fearful of, which will reinforce the fear response every time you get in the car. It's conditioning basically.
When you go to see your doc, ask for a referral to a therapist well versed in CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy if possible. That kind of therapy does precisely what I briefly explained above, retrains the way you think and react.
For now, be patient with yourself. This is all a normal part of an exacerbation of your condition. You will be working to get back on track very soon.
Let us know how you're doing, hang in there hon!
SO much of anxiety is fed by US, and with time and practice, you can learn how to stop feeding the beast. Honest to goodness distraction is one of the best things you can do for anxiety and panic. So, like sm suggested, music, looking out the window are good things. You could also bring along a puzzle book, like a word search, etc. I have a lot of anxiety in the car when my panic is peaking, and puzzle books are a really nice distraction for me, they help a lot. That's because I'm focused on something else, while at the same time, not looking AT the carm or the traffic and other things that would make me anxious. Also, if you're like most people with a smart phone, you can download games to play in the car, like words with friends (like Scrabble), scramble with friends (like Boggle). If we're planning on going for a drive out of our local area, I save up my "turns" on those kinds of games that I play. Another nice distraction.
The brain knows what we tell it, feed it and expose it to. It depends on us 100% for all of its input. If you continue to feed it the negative thoughts and worries, it will be convinced that there IS something to fear, whereas if you face your fears...you will be giving it the reinforcements it needs to understand there IS nothing to worry about.
That takes time (and help from your mental health team). But, the more you expose yourself to the things that are causing you anxiety, the more reinforcement your mind gets that there is nothing to be anxious about, and soon you will not have that automatic fear response. Now, in turn, if you AVOID something that makes you anxious (like the car for now), then your brain will think there IS indeed something to be fearful of, which will reinforce the fear response every time you get in the car. It's conditioning basically.
When you go to see your doc, ask for a referral to a therapist well versed in CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy if possible. That kind of therapy does precisely what I briefly explained above, retrains the way you think and react.
For now, be patient with yourself. This is all a normal part of an exacerbation of your condition. You will be working to get back on track very soon.
Let us know how you're doing, hang in there hon!
i was gonna say!
how do i make an appt.?
About the deep breathing......good idea but do not over-do it. It is easier than most people think to hyperventilate.
Slowing the rhythm of the breath very gently---exhaling completely--has been show to be very effective for anxiety. Some of the effect is just from changing your focus from "oh god the car etc.!" to the feel of the breath.
Music works well. And perhaps a nice comfy Blindfold! HA! Just kidding> It would make me claustrophobic.
Looks like you get Help soon so good luck and stay special. omhome
how do i make an appt.?
About the deep breathing......good idea but do not over-do it. It is easier than most people think to hyperventilate.
Slowing the rhythm of the breath very gently---exhaling completely--has been show to be very effective for anxiety. Some of the effect is just from changing your focus from "oh god the car etc.!" to the feel of the breath.
Music works well. And perhaps a nice comfy Blindfold! HA! Just kidding> It would make me claustrophobic.
Looks like you get Help soon so good luck and stay special. omhome
Hi again! I am so glad you are seeing our psychiatrist next week. I think this is going to be very beneficial to begin some things that will help with these types of issues. Anxiety is treatable--- and clearly, this is part of your anxiety. Do some deep breathing in the car, roll the window down, turn on music and try not to hyper focus on either the person driving and if you are driving, keep those deep breaths going. But I think it will help to discuss some medication with your doctor dear. I really do. Lots of luck and I know it is hard. peace
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