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Original poster

Stranded - struggling so much with anxiety

36 replies

workiskillingme · 20/12/2022 19:02

Hi all
Just a quick one. My anxiety is stupidly high right now. Just come back from a weekend away. No prob getting there. Just had panic attacking driving along the motorway. Managed to breathe enough to not pass out and get off at next junction.
Decided to book hotel for the night rather than drive when it's dark and stressful but now I'm really worrying again that I'm going to struggle I don't even want to get on the motorway. I feel utterly stranded .
Has anyone had this before and how did you deal with it? Many thanks

OP posts:
Unifolorn · 21/12/2022 07:00

Sounds like you did the right thing, anxiety is bloody horrible. Personally I would start off early so less likely to be traffic, and then make sure over the next few days you drive somewhere otherwise it'll become a 'thing'. The same happened to me and I didn't drive for months until I had to for work and then it was okay. Have you spoke to the GP about your anxiety though?

Original poster
workiskillingme · 21/12/2022 07:02

Unifolorn · 21/12/2022 07:00

Sounds like you did the right thing, anxiety is bloody horrible. Personally I would start off early so less likely to be traffic, and then make sure over the next few days you drive somewhere otherwise it'll become a 'thing'. The same happened to me and I didn't drive for months until I had to for work and then it was okay. Have you spoke to the GP about your anxiety though?

No not recently I've given up trying to get an appointment

OP posts:
Unifolorn · 21/12/2022 07:03

It's awful at the moment isn't it, I'd keep trying though as meds and therapy was life changing for me.

Buzzinwithbez · 21/12/2022 09:01

That was some excellent decision making. It just shows that you have enough resources and grit to deal with tricky situations.
I hope the last leg of the journey restores your confidence.

ChicCroissant · 21/12/2022 09:18

You may be home by now but if you go on the AA website, that has a journey planner and in the options you can set it to avoid motorways when you plan future journeys OP.

Original poster
workiskillingme · 21/12/2022 09:57

ChicCroissant · 21/12/2022 09:18

You may be home by now but if you go on the AA website, that has a journey planner and in the options you can set it to avoid motorways when you plan future journeys OP.

I will always try the motorway by default- I was thinking I was going to have a panic attack on a journey a few months back but just stopped at a service station then carried on after

OP posts:
LaBelleSauvage123 · 21/12/2022 10:04

OP this isn’t a short term fix but it has helped me massively. I was very anxious about driving on busy roads and hadn’t driven on a motorway for 17 years until this year. I started listening to a Glenn Harrold meditation for driving anxiety which I found on YouTube. I did it every night and it gradually started to take effect. I also learnt the technique of grounding, whereby if you feel panicky you focus on where your body is touching the car seat and try to sink into the feeling. My driving anxiety has all but disappeared.

Spaghetti201 · 21/12/2022 10:40

I’m guessing you had a close call that shook you up? Or read/saw an accident? Your brain has paired this association with motorways. You have to unpair the association - do this by doing something you enjoy in the car, eg listening to your favourite comedian, favourite music etc. or eating your favourite sweet treat. Or chatting to your best friend in the car. Or thinking about your happiest memory, or forward thinking about a holiday you are looking forward to. Anytime you feel any anxiety rising repeat to yourself “I am safe”.

popandchoc · 21/12/2022 11:02

I went through similar last year alongside a load of other issues and had therapy and medication which has massively helped and i don't even think about it when i am driving now.
I would definitely recommend therapy if you can get it.

Original poster
workiskillingme · 21/12/2022 14:14

Spaghetti201 · 21/12/2022 10:40

I’m guessing you had a close call that shook you up? Or read/saw an accident? Your brain has paired this association with motorways. You have to unpair the association - do this by doing something you enjoy in the car, eg listening to your favourite comedian, favourite music etc. or eating your favourite sweet treat. Or chatting to your best friend in the car. Or thinking about your happiest memory, or forward thinking about a holiday you are looking forward to. Anytime you feel any anxiety rising repeat to yourself “I am safe”.

No there's nothing- that would make it easier to cope with but it's just out of nowhere
I'm back home now. Did a couple of junctions on the motorway but could feel myself stressing and panicking so thought it wasn't worth the aggro so took the scenic route and it was very pleasant
We are back safe and that's the main thing

OP posts:
Original poster
workiskillingme · 21/12/2022 14:22

LaBelleSauvage123 · 21/12/2022 10:04

OP this isn’t a short term fix but it has helped me massively. I was very anxious about driving on busy roads and hadn’t driven on a motorway for 17 years until this year. I started listening to a Glenn Harrold meditation for driving anxiety which I found on YouTube. I did it every night and it gradually started to take effect. I also learnt the technique of grounding, whereby if you feel panicky you focus on where your body is touching the car seat and try to sink into the feeling. My driving anxiety has all but disappeared.

Thanks for the recommendation I will certainly have a look at this

OP posts:
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