SA While Driving

[namelessmiracle]

Driving has always been an issue for me. With my SA, I’m always worrying about what other drivers think of me. If I make a mistake while driving, I worry that everyone can tell and is looking at me. If there are people around me and I would have to cut them off to get off my exit, I will miss my exit just so I don’t have to have confrontation. Or if I have to suddenly make a turn I wasn’t expecting, I feel bad about getting over and think the person behind me is judging me. Even though I know in my head that they probably don’t think twice about it. The SA is in the back of my head from the moment I turn the car home to the moment I park. I even worry about other people staring into my car and judging me. I think this is one of the worst aspects of my disorder.

Anyone else have this issue? What coping skills do you use?






This is also posted on my blog about Living with Social Anxiety. It is a blog to inform people about the growing number of individuals diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. I feel there are not adequate resources for people with this specific anxiety disorder. Many people feel alone and like they're the only ones suffering with these symptoms. I will post things about my daily life that cause my SAD to act up. I will talk about past and present issues. My goal is to help those who need answers, and help them to not feel alone. Feel free to ask if you have questions, want advice, or want to hear how I handled a tough situation.If you want to share your story, I'm here to listen. SAD will never go away, but together we can learn how to control it.

Please feel free to view my blog through tumblr or blogger

Living with Social Anxiety

Or

My Life with Social Anxiety Disorder


And again, I'm thankful to all of the support I'm getting in this forum

 

[Phoenixx]

Pretty much what you described is how I feel most of the time while driving too. I don't have my license yet, just my permit, but I'm working on it. Lately I've been driving more and the more I've been driving, the less anxiety I've been feeling. Yesterday was a good day for me right up until the end, when some moron decided he needed to ride my ass through town. I think that sends me more into a panic more than anything, and then I start to get overly cautious of every single move I make.

 

[mandabear21]

Yes I have the same thing. I have my license, I got it when I was 18 and I'm now 20 (almost 21). I haven't driven since I moved to my new house in August of 2010. I can't stand driving, I'm just so tense, it's a miracle I made it through my driving test. I actually snapped at the testing guy because I was so stressed and nervous.

I was parallel parking, and I had done everything perfectly but forgot to put the car in park! So he was trying to get me to notice that it was still in drive. I didn't know what he was insinuating, so I snapped and said "well are you gonna look?". They always open the door to see how far away or close you are to the curb. Only when I went to put the car in drive did I notice. And my right turns were way too wide because I had learned in my mom's huge SUV, and I got my car only 1 week before my test. But I passed!

 

[jonas89]

Nope, but it was really hard when I was having panic attacks and agoraphobia, I experience much difficulty driving when I had both playing in.

 

[MrJones]

It get worse to the point I don't want to drive, but when I do I can actually do it well enough.

 

[razzle dazzle rose]

I don't know if it is because of my SA, but I can't drive. Well, I actually know how to drive but I won't drive. It just makes me too anxious! I worry about making stupid mistakes, and also worry about possibly being so nervous I'd get into an accident. For now, driving is on the back burner for me...it does limit me in many ways of course.

 

[nafadda]

most often other drivers aren't thinking about you at all..hopefully they are paying attention to the road and may just glance over at another car for a sec and then just continue on with their daily life.

 

[JonSP]

I like driving, it helps me clear my mind and escape reality for an hour or so. Although if I want to go to a shop it has to be a store I have been to before because the stress of parking and the thought of people looking at me as im doing so preys on my mind. It sounds stupid when I say it but its sadly true lol

 

[superfluouslyme]

^ I love to drive as well. It's a wonderful escape. Just give me a couple of good CDs and a place to go and I'm great. Being on the road, listening to my favorite music and not thinking about my worries is a wonderful feeling. Sometimes I just get in my car and drive around, especially when I am anxious. It really is one of my best stress relievers.

My mother gets anxious while driving. She particularly hates bridges and left turn lanes. When she has to go somewhere requiring her to cross a bridge, she has me drive her. And she'll take an alternative route rather than get in the left hand turn lane. She says there is something about it that makes her feel trapped.

 

[MikeyC]

I really enjoy driving. I put CD's in the car all the time and I start rocking out. It's great. I drove to Melbourne and back, too, with hours of nothing but highway. It was great!

However, I'm not a very good driver and I have this hunch that I will one day get into a car crash and die. It hasn't stopped me from driving but that's what will happen....

 

[Etbow23]

I get nervous at stoplights, i feel people are watching me from their cars next to mine. Sometimes i cover my face. Also i avoid doing certain moves because i dont want to make a mistake in front of everone.

 

[Section_31]

My wife has S/A while driving, always being too mindful of what others are thinking of her driving ability. She can do it if she absolutely has to but doesnt like it much.

Me, driving has actually been one of the calm, safe places i can go when i need to escape and think. I love driving around town late at night with my music blaring and just thinking. I do most of my best problem solving and such actually while driving suprisingly.

 

[chepei]

Driving has always been an issue for me. With my SA, I’m always worrying about what other drivers think of me. If I make a mistake while driving, I worry that everyone can tell and is looking at me.

Please feel free to view my blog through tumblr or blogger

I shouldn't even have a license..not only do I worry how other drivers (especially aggressive ones) judge my driving, but I also am not very good at driving in general. Because of this, I don't drive as often so my experience level doesn't grow. I've made mistakes in the past resulting in small damages. I hit a car once while backing out of my driveway..and the other car had a little kid inside!! When I have to pick up my mother at night from her job, I hate red lights. I shield my face because I'm not wearing makeup (I don't have flawless skin..but that's another topic). But at the same time I'm guilty of analyzing how others drive..."they shouldn't have done that..they're braking way too early!...It's my right of way!...etc"

I can't stand driving when the roads are congested with other drivers. Even though I suck at it, I don't actually fear the act of driving..so I guess it really is SA related...does that make sense?

Thanks for the links. You're right, there isn't too much on the web or outside of the web focusing on SA. It sort of makes sense..I mean you don't really see too many advocates with SA who are out in public bringing awareness...heheh.

 

[namelessmiracle]

Thank you to everyone who posted. It is great to see that there is variety in the way we all handle our SA. Please keep following my blog