anxiety while driving or the thought of long trips on the road

[lucky52198]

I have just recently developed anxiety while driving on the high ways I have been driving since I was 15 years old I am now 30 years old for some reason when I start driving my heart starts racing my hands sweat my feet do also and I just feel like I need to stop  and I cant continue to go but just the other day while driving  in the city I got a anxiety attack I felt like the road was to big for me and I needed to stop I also check my blood pressure and my pulse is really  high (101)  I do not know whats going on if some one can relate please reply but I have faith in god it will go away...

[Natbar]

This sounds like a phobia you have which can just bleed on from generalised anxiety disorder.  It did for me.  I used to drive to London all the time and through tunnels and at night and now I don't do any of that.  I can drive locally but that's it.  It's a learned behaviour. Have you tried CBT or a therapist? It may help you to just do a little bit of driving each day to a safe place and then build on it over time. You should learn positive words to say to yourself and even play 'storybooks' in your car on your CD player to distract you. Also, it's learning not to catatrophise of what's ahead. Always have a phone too! Good luck.

[remar]

Many of us here really do understand what you're going through. I know I sure do. I agree with the above poster. Try to put it out of your mind. I know it can be hard. Turn the radio on if that helps. It does with me.

[Ms_C]

Honestly I just deal with it. I try telling myself that I'm going to be ok. Usually I forget all about it until I'm almost to where I'm going. I didn't drive alone for about 7 or 8 months.

[lucky52198]

I feel the same way just the thought of thinking that i need to drive some where causes my hands to start sweating and my feet and when I'm  driving I feel like I cant and I need to stop immediately and it scares me but what have you tried to control it  the feeling I mean

[Ms_C]

I used to feel the same way (not bad anymore). When i know we have a long trip ahead of us whether I'm driving or not it still hits me as times. I just try to sit up and breath. There were times I would have to pull over and get out for a minute.

[remar]

What you're going through is very common when you have anxiety. I think it's the fear of not being able to get off the road, get out of the car, and no control over other drivers.