Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Did CBT work for you ? (I panic when driving)

19 replies

mousemole · 16/04/2008 13:24

I have just started cognitive behavourial therapy for panic attacks when driving ( esp.motorways). has anyone else has success with it for panic/phobias ?

OP posts:
MaryAnnSingleton · 16/04/2008 13:42

have had it for OCD and it worked well...there'll be lots of people who will agree ! good luck - am sure it'll be helpful

Original poster
mousemole · 16/04/2008 17:24

Thanks MaryAnn, how many sessions did you have ? Its a big leap of faith for me as I have been sceptical that it could actually help me.

OP posts:
MaryAnnSingleton · 16/04/2008 17:51

it was a long time ago so I'm afraid I can't remember exactly but it went on for quite a few months..I'm sure you see a difference quite quickly !

oiFoiF · 16/04/2008 17:56

have you tried anything else?

like refresher driving lessons with someone really nice?

MaryAnnSingleton · 16/04/2008 18:06

motorway lessons are good - I hadn't driven for years after passing my test and had a few refresher lessons including motorway driving to build up my confidence... hypnotherapy is also good

Original poster
mousemole · 16/04/2008 18:30

i thought about motorway lessons but thought the instructor would think I was a fruit loop if i told him about the panic attacks...!

OP posts:
MaryAnnSingleton · 16/04/2008 19:05

nope - am sure they are used to anxious/panicky people !

popsycal · 16/04/2008 19:09

I had it for driving following an accidents about 8 years ago.
Had treatment about 6 years ago.

It helped to an extent - in that I can go on dual carriageways, use slip roads, don't panic very often. Still would rather chew my own hand off than drive on a motorway though.

I can do certain short stretches of motorway that I am familiar so big progress.

I think I could have done with a few more sessions (I only had 2 or three I think as I was heavily pregnant) and followed it up with some refresher/motorway driving lessons.

I may still do that when more money is available.

DO ask if you want to know anything specific

Psychomum5 · 16/04/2008 19:13

ooh....am watching this thread with interest.

I have just been referred by my insurance co. for CBT following two car accidents in 17mths eaving with driving phobias......specifically for me for cars approaching on my right as both have been cars hitting me from my right and head on.

other insurers funding it all thankfully, but still, no idea what to expect as yet so am keen to find out.

popsycal · 16/04/2008 19:15

The therapist I saw was really good and gave me distraction techniques - I was a hopeless passenger on motorways aswell. Horrific actually.

I got really upset when he made me visualise myself driving on a slip road to a motorway and pulling onto it.....

I am nowehere near as bad now though - but I still think I have a little way to go, 8 years on.

MaryAnnSingleton · 16/04/2008 19:27

popsycal - would you rather drive or be driven, out of interest ? do you trust other drivers or do you feel better in control ?

Original poster
mousemole · 16/04/2008 19:38

Psychomum5 - poor you that is horrid. Mine started after someone hit me on the right when DS1 was only 4 weeks old. I thought I was fine but a week later I was driving on the M25 and had a full blown panic attack.Popsycal - the therapist talked about 'reliving' the fear which i am dreading. I have managed a dual carriageway for a few miles but my stomach was in knots and the children not in the car. For me it is so much worse knowing the children are in the back and if I have a panic attack on a motorway I will kill us all !Motorway driving lessons sounds like a good idea, i like the idea that the instructor will also have controls !

OP posts:
Iota · 16/04/2008 19:59

I can recommend attending a Defensive Driving course. I was sent on one though work and it was really helpful. It teaches you a lot about anticipation and avoiding potential hazards. It makes you feel more in control of the situation and therefore you feel safer.

popsycal · 16/04/2008 21:06

Psychomum I much prefer to drive - but not on motorways. I really don't trust others. I feel way more in control. I think, for me, one of the worst parts of it is knowing that I am not in control of all of the possibilities.

The times that I have forced myself to drive on a motorway have ALWAYS been when I have been in the car alone and at quiet times. Then I knew the kids were safe and I had no get out clause as dh could not take over!

My accident happened at really low speed on a roundabout, yet my main fear is motorway and slip roads. It is the speed factor and the need fr forward planning and quick thinking that I really distrust in others. Mad isn't it!

We are doing a short motorway drive tomorrow - a bit over an hour or so - and I have been on edge all day today dreading it. It is a route that I am really familiar with and DH will be driving but sometimes I just wish I could do the driving as I would worry way less. Does that sound totally loopy??

popsycal · 16/04/2008 21:07

Sorry that should say MaryAnn not Psychomum...

MaryAnnSingleton · 16/04/2008 22:56

no, not loopy - I can understand that - I often prefer to drive so that I feel in control and I'm a terrible passenger -feet on imaginary brakes,telling dh what to do etc ( he is the same with me,tutting if I go too fast etc)...I don't mind motorways but am not keen on roundabouts...

MaryAnnSingleton · 16/04/2008 22:57

btw - have a good journey tomorrow - try to relax

popsycal · 17/04/2008 06:46

I will.

Managed to borrow a car dvd player for the boys so that is one less stressful thig to worry about...

MaryAnnSingleton · 17/04/2008 17:56

how did you get on ?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread