Has anyone stopped driving because of anxiety and not regretted it?

[BreezyPlumGuide]

No judgement please. Has anyone given up driving and not regretted it? My anxiety is off the scale driving these days. I reckon I could get by on public transport but I’m scared I will regret it in the winter. Go to bed anxious about driving the next day. Just wanting comments from people that have done this not get therapy I’ve tried and it hasn’t worked. Thanks

I have. Drove for 25 years, never enjoyed it but drive to get to a to b.
Anxiety totally took over about 10 years ago, went for hypnotherapy, took medication but would still be physically sick when I got home, convinced I’d caused an accident and didn’t realise.
Im very lucky I have excellent public transport networks so haven’t regretted stopping driving one bit

I don’t regret it one bit. Far rather feel safe and secure than have the anxiety.

Thanks for reply. Yes that’s exactly how I feel. I’m not sleeping well when I do I wake with sweats worrying about driving. Our public transport isn’t great but I could probably get by. Just scared I will regret it but can’t go on making myself ill.

I stopped driving for 7 years because of generalised anxiety disorder, I managed to get back behind the wheel when I had a kid in my late 30s as I needed to drive more and being on maternity leave basically alleviated my stress/anxiety enough to do it.

But I didn't really regret giving up driving at the time, I also lived walking distance to work which helped alot. I also had a partner who actually enjoys driving so that helped too. If you have good public transport links it should be fine. I get the train/tram to work nowadays (20 min walk to station and I do it in all seasons with a laptop backpack) because rush hour traffic is intolerable to me, but I only need to be in office twice a week.

I haven’t driven for the past 10 years after suffering awful driving related anxiety that started around perimenopause . I don’t regret it , I use public transport and walk to a lot of places too. I don’t ask for lifts as I prefer to be independent. The anxiety just isn’t worth it for me and I think driving is something I can live without doing again.

I did, but I live in a city. Absolutely hate driving, I’d be so tense that I cause myself back pain and I had nightmares all the time. If I really need to get somewhere by car, I call an Uber, otherwise I use public transport.

I gave up driving when I moved to London 15 year ago. I used to drive to work etc and was a good driver but absolutely hated it, and still have driving nightmares when I'm stressed. I used to take betablockers when I felt too stressed.

Having said that, I'm thinking of starting again because I fancy going to the countryside at weekends... Driving does give you more freedom.

Edited: "driving nightmares" as in dreaming about all sorts of nightmare driving scenarios, like my car is suddenly made of rubber or not being able to break etc.