Fear of Driving

Being afraid of driving in certain areas or conditions is an experience that can happen to anyone.

There is a program that has helped many people get over their fear of driving. You can go directly to their website and see The Driving Fear Program for yourself.

I’m sure we’ve all felt anxiety at some point in our lives, in fact I’d put a wager on it. There are certain situations where I’ve felt my anxiety more frequently. One such instance happens when I’m driving. Now there has to be certain conditions when the anxiety sets in.

Now some of those anxious moments I’ve beat when it comes to driving. For instance, I used to feel very nervous and anxious if I’m driving someone for the first time. Sometimes I’d have to drop coworkers home after work  or take my mum to do some errands. I used to think what if I get in an accident while I’m driving, so taking people places was a problem. Nowadays I just try to have more confidence in my driving and not worry about anxiety.

Another reason I anxiety is if I’m driving a vehicle I’m not familiar with. I know this may seem weird but I just don’t feel as confident if I’m not driving my own vehicle. Same thoughts go in my head. My answer to this problem, don’t drive someone’s vehicle. And if I do I’m extremely careful.

What really scares me is if I’m driving in an unfamiliar place. For example, I visited a good friend of mine in Trinidad some years back. She rented a car and one day she decided I should drive. I was against it from the beginning and I knew why. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach, the sweaty palms, nausea…….panic.  And just as I thought, I wasn’t comfortable at all, my driving was very erratic and she wasn’t making it any easier for me either. When I wasn’t in the middle of the road I was in the bushes after a short while I pulled over and let her drive. I never attempted to drive for the rest of that trip.

I’ll be traveling to Florida in a couple of weeks and my girlfriend wants me to do some driving. The anxious thoughts have started already but I’m trying to get over this. Just try to take my time on the road. It’s so different from driving at home. I’ll let you know how it goes.

If you suffer from driving anxiety yourself you may want to check out our review of the Driving Fear program.

If you’d like to share your story drop us a line.

Living in Fear: Anxiety is Ruining My Life

Anxiety is a serious condition and if left untreated can ruin the lives of many. Do not be a part of that number

Anxiety is our body’s response to coping with situations that we feel are not very comfortable to deal with. For some, however, anxiety is felt in their day-to-day lives, often leaving sufferers to hiding away in their homes for fear of experiencing another anxiety attack. It’s not a very pleasant situation and if you (or a friend or family member) are experiencing this, good advice would be to seek help immediately.

Don’t let Anxiety Ruin your Life!!

If you suffer from anxiety and wonder if you can lead a normal, healthy life just like everyone else – the answer is a definite yes, provided there is proper treatment. This is important, because without it, anxiety will ruin your life and might cause serious long term problems. If left untreated, anxiety may cause phobias, alcoholism, drug abuse, and many other side effects that can seriously alter your traditional lifestyle.

Phobias often start because of “situational avoidance,” a symptom most people diagnosed with panic disorder often exhibit. If phobias are left untreated, it makes it difficult for you to NOT fear things that are perfectly normal in your surroundings. One or multiple phobias may soon develop from these constant anxiety attacks, that is why it is best to seek treatment as soon as possible. Wouldn’t it feel great to lead a normal social life or be with family and friends?

Sometimes, anxiety also causes substance abuse. Some end up depending on alcohol or drug, simply because the fear of panic attacks causes them to be terribly depressed. It causes them to turn to substances they think can get them through the day, until they become entirely dependent on these things. These sufferers often think that a state of numbness will keep the anxiety away, thus any efforts to veer away from these vices make things a lot harder than it usually is.

In worst-case scenarios, panic disorder sufferers may end up attempting suicide, may spend more time in hospital emergency rooms even unnecessary, or become emotionally, physically and financially dependent on others. It may also cause other problems, leaving some in a catatonic state, or in any other chance, a direct consultation with a psychiatrist.

Fortunately, all of these negative effects can be prevented, as long as you receive proper anxiety treatment along with support from family and friends. Remember, it is never too late for you to make a change and live a normal, anxiety attack-free lifestyle.

Panic Attack Tips

Here are a few useful tips to help manage panic attacks

Panic attacks can be very frightening and, for some, even dangerous. For some individuals, they find certain situations too far out of their control and this feeling usually doesn’t subside as soon as they would hope. In cases like these, you might find the following tips for controlling panic attacks to be useful.

Breathing tips during panic attacks

One important tip during a panic attack, is to learn the art of breathing. Proper breathing lets the good air inside and the bad air out, causing a more relaxed feeling for the body. If you are experiencing a panic attack, try to relax and take a couple of deep breaths to relax your mind. Inhale deeply, count to three before exhaling your breath. Do this a couple of times until you feel the tension ebb away.

In addition to deep breathing techniques, those who suffer panic attacks would benefit greatly from other relaxing activities. Such activities include yoga, meditation, visualization, and many others. Yoga relaxes the body, helping those who suffer panic attacks to feel better about their body, while worrying less about the outcome of their attacks. Yoga relaxes your muscles, leaving the tension out, and it can also relax the mind in great proportions. Breathing exercises also comes with yoga training, so many of those who practice this art find it very useful for many different situations like panic attacks and hyperventilation.

Meditation for panic attacks

Practicing meditation and visualization is another great tip for getting rid of panic attacks, as these exercises relax the mind, helping sufferers of panic attacks to free their mind of fear. Meditation practitioners often believe that the activity relaxes more than just the mind. It can also relax your body, remove tension, and other distress that one can feel, as is the same with visualization. These activities can help keep the fear away, keeping the calm within the mind.

It can also help a great deal if those who are suffering from panic attacks find some company, especially if the attacks happen frequently. A good companion who can help keep you calm is important, as it can easily help keep the anxiety away. For others, a good tip might be to find a good support group, especially for those who have just been diagnosed with panic disorder. Sufferers can benefit greatly from those who have had experience with the same problem. Spending quality time with friends and family, especially those who have witnessed your panic attacks is also beneficial.

There are many tips for coping with panic attacks. Wouldn’t it be better to try and eliminate them entirely? You can. Panic attacks can be cured. Click here to learn more about living a happier panic free life