Stuck in a 'safety zone'

I've been having anxiety attacks for more than 18 years now.  I spent three weeks in a behaviorial health unit so I get some help and medication instead of trying to do it all on my own.  Those three weeks helped so much. I still have times when I can feel the anxiety coming.  I can hear every clink of a spoon or fork on a plate in a restuarant if we go out to dinner.  I can feel the ground coming up to meet me when I stand in the middle of an aisle or hallway, or entrance of a store...but that passes quickly, and it's not nearly as often or as frightening as it used to be.  But the problem I'm still having is the most difficult.  I have a huge fear of driving past my 'safety zone' of 2 1/2 miles.  That gets me to work and the market.  But just the thought of driving three miles or more away from home terrifies me.  Needless to say, I take the bus a lot..and that's not really conveneint.  I would love to get past this last part of my anxiety, but just don't know where to go from here.  The streets with the biggest intersections seem to be the worst for me, and freeways, forget it.  I don't go near them.  Sometimes I will go a mile out of my way just to avoid a certain light or intersection when I do feel good enough to get past my 'zone'.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Ideas?  Ever gone through this type of thing?  It's the last piece of the puzzle I just can't seem to find.
Thanks in advance for your help...

[silverberg]

First I am amazed you take a bus, I have a car we have the metro here (san diego) but I don't want to take it, I figure I will never have to, so why bother, so good for you! As for your safe zone, the sooner you get away from that the better, the longer you stay in that zone the harder it is to break free. Always try no matter what it is, NOT TO GIVE YOUR BRAIN A REASON TO SENSE FEAR! I use to know where every hospital was, but now in San Diego I Never look for one, these safety devices just send a messege to our brain that danger is present. It is very hard, I will tell you the truth , take small steps to always stay out of ANY safe zone. start NOW by telling yourself, EVERYWHERE IS SAFE!!! keep posted on how your doing ! you can do it.

[BJ61009]

Thank you so much for your post.  I know you're right, I need to venture out of my zone.  And I do, every week.  But that night/day when I do go out, I start getting the anxiety feelings while I'm gone.  When I am driving home, I have to take alternate routes to avoid the major intersection that always gets to me.  If I could take back roads everywhere, I'd probably do much better. It's the major streets that are sooo overcrowded here, that bother me.  I've tried staring at a red light; flicking a rubberband on my wrist, pinching myself, turning up the CD, calling someone just to get out of my head.  But although those things usually get me past the red light (which is always when it hit.  At the red lights), and through the attack, the next time I have to go out that way, it starts all over again.  I hate relying on other people to get me to places, so I either take the bus (I can take dial-a-ride here, since I'm over 60), or don't go.  
Anyway, I'm going to try going somewhere today and keep telling myself I am safe.  I NEED to get out.  I hate the way this thing controls me, and I want to take my life back and control it.  So...I will be SAFE!  Thank you again.  I am going to try your very positive thoughts while I'm gone.