I have been having car passenger anxiety for years now. I can't be the passenger no matter who is driving. I have to take zanax to get on a plane and I refuse to get on a bus or in a taxi. I have no idea how I am going to teach my kids how to drive since I can't be the passenger. I can't ride any roller coasters anymore that lock me in because I lose it when I can not get out. I have been highly embarrassed in front of my kids at Carowinds when I could not move my legs after the roller coaster ended. We had to wait for the other cars to empty and I panicked and thought I would have a small heart attack while waiting my turn to exit. I can not ride in elevators for fear that the door will not open. I have always been claustrophobic, but as I have gotten older, probably around age 37 it all got much worse. I am now 42 and I refuse to go on medication because I fear the side effects and mainly the fatigue that the drugs might bring on. However, I feel so trapped and alone in my suffering. I feel like I will never be cured and that I will be like this until I die. I doubt anyone has as many issues with this as I do. Any suggestions?
hi jack I have been having anxiety as a passenger for years now and avoided being a passenger I cant even get on a bus , I have been told to expose myself to the fear but easier said than done to a group of strangers on a bus or car, what is your current situation regards mark
Hi there, I have been having these panic attacks for some time now and its not an easy thing to deal with. My husband is a truck driver so him out of all these people should be safe drivers and he is. I just cant control this crazy feeling i get in the car and he gets very upset when i do it. He also sometimes does these things on purpose and i cant stand it. People say i am a control freak when i have to drive and it feels very hurtful. If i am not driving i get nuts,screaming out " are you gonna take this curve at 65 mile hour when he is probably only doing 50. Grabbing the handles to hold on, slouching in the seat and pressing on the floor boards so hard , my leg hurts. My mom did this very thing when i was growing up and my dad said he couldnt stand it when she did. I am terrified of taking long trips, the feeling of dread just washes over me. And i know my husband is gonna be so mad about it, that pretty much we are gonna fight about it. I have no idea what to do and dont wanna feel this way anymore.
Believe me I really understand how you feel! I just wish I had the answers! I hope that your day is going well!
that's what i'm trying to do is find new ways to calm my mind when i am in car but nothing comes to mind damn, wish someone could just knock me out so i won't worry bout having car anxiety but that won't solve my problem u know lol
It does not always work for me either! I have less problems riding with a few people then riding with just anyone. Although I still get some anxious no matter who I ride with. I just have to keep looking for new ways all the time to take my mind off of being in the car.
thx and i did try messing with my phone and listening to music, it worked at first for a bit but now it doesn't work for me
Hello, You are not alone! I never been able to drive a car because of anxiety and panic, and I can only ride in a car with certain people. I have to keep myself busy playing with my cell phone or something else just to keep my mind off the fact that I am in a car. Listening to music on my iphone also helps me. Sometime I repeat helpful mantras over and over again! Using calming breathing is also helpful! Busy highway are the worse for me! I hope that you can fine something that helps you! Best wishes to you! Please keep me posted!