Is fear of driving in snow or ice a disability?

[omm0351]

I haven't always had a fear of snow or ice driving until the recent past few years.  If I am not in the driver's seat, I can't control the anxiety.  If I am in the driver's seat, it's much, much worse.  My panic starts the minute we start moving. It's not that my husband (or any one else) is a bad driver (my husband is a firefighter/EMT),  I began to wring my hands, my body gets very tense, I begin to tear up and my mind sees us in different accidents while we are driving. I know it drives my husband crazy.I guess I don't understand it because I used to be an EMT and race out the door in all kinds of weather to meet the squad and go on runs without even considering the weather.  Sometimes I wonder if I am the only one who feels this way. I feel like a freak, and it really bothers me.

[jajewe123]

I am the same way. i never been in an accident. i worry before it happens and freak out when i am driving. and worry before i drive home. and cry all the way.

[snugj4]

I'm in the same boat...started this yr.I live in the mountains so its terrible! I drive 30 min to then 30 min back from work...and have to go over ( up & down) mountains. My husband drove me just down the street and I was so tense wringing my hands and almost in tears.I don't know where this is coming from. I hate it. If  anyone has any cure please let me know.

[suebee3490]

I have the same fear..so you are not alone.  If I know it's going to snow, I start worrying days before as I have to drive to work - about 25 miles from my home.  Once at work, I worry the whole time about driving home.  I haven't been in some awful snow-related accident so I don't know where this is coming from.  I usually am fine if someone else will drive but if I know I have to drive - I freak out.  I usually don't take vacations because I save all my days to use as snow days through the winter months - it *****.  I wish I didn't feel this way because alot of time, it is just a drizzle or under an inch of snow but I get so tense - I think I'm going to vomit and I have the white-knuckles.  I've wondered if I should go to a dr but was embarassed - this seems so petty to worry so much about.

[Rich99]

A certain amount of anxiety (as posted above) is necessary in our lives otherwise we'd be putting our safety at risk all the time.     The way I found to keep it under control in those specific conditions is to use patience.     It could be the reason you react when another person is driving when to you it seems they're not taking their time.     Being a former EMT you probably developed a strong sense and awareness of your surroundings whenever out on the road.     That's the way it should be, not being distracted to stay safe.    Plus many of us feel a lack of control when we're a passenger, not a driver of the vehicle.

[29sillygirl]

As usual mammo has give you excellent advice.  I can't add anything of value to it.  Do see a therapist if you can...and congrats for going out even tho' it is super scary.

[mammo]

Everyone feels some anxiety when going out on slick roads....it's normal.  But your anxiety is very high and I feel with some therapy you can learn to overcome this fear.  It may stem from something you encountered as an EMT that is haunting you today.  I would find a good CBT therapist and get some help with working thru this fear. It's good that you aren't letting it stop you from going out in bad weather...that's a big step to over-coming it!  But get some help so you can relax more and you don't want to be real anxious while driving.  Hope this helps and best wishes!