Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
I'm terrified of driving! Please help!?
I'm 17. My parents have recently forced me to start driving. Tomorrow they want me to go on a main road. I don't why, but I have always been terrified of driving. I hate it. It's very hard. I've been in the car (parking lots, side street, semi-main road) about 10 times. (Not each. Total.) Every time I voice my fear of driving, my parents scream at me and say I won't be able to go to college, or get the job I want (nursing). I don't why I'm so scared; I'm particularly scared of going more than 10 MPH, especially on curves. Please help.
8 Answers
- Susie QLv 51 decade agoFavorite Answer
You sound panicked. Panic often involves a rapid heart also. Both are classic symptoms of anaphylaxis - strong allergic reactions defined by a minimum of two symptoms. Your reaction of terror suggests an allergic reaction. When the stimulants are not proteins, but say chemicals, it's known as an anaphylactoid reaction. You seem to be intolerant of something because not everyone goes into a panic at the thought of driving. And you seem to sense that and that's a good thing.
Before driving, go outside and breath in through your nose and exhale though your mouth for some good oxygen. You will get a better quality of air than indoors.
Fumes from a car include ethanol from non-oragnic corn, thus pesticides, and also lead. Tomorrow, try breathing only through your mouth when you approach the car and when you drive. You may be sensitive to chemicals, like pesticides and lead. Breathing though your mouth should help prevent an allergic reaction, hence panic.
The autonomic nervous system regulates automatic body functions, systems and organs, including the brain, hence mind. And it's neurons can be weak and cause health problems, called an autonomic neuropathy - the cause of most common health problems. Allergies and panic are such problems. The olfactory nerve in the nose goes straight to the hypothalamus and stimulates autonomic neurons, such as the immune system neurons or fight or flight neurons. Breathing though your mouth avoids that.
If possible, don't shower tomorrow before driving. Shampoo contains harsh stimulants (including pesticides). Brush your teeth only with baking soda - it's a mineral and chemically neutral - no pesticide content to over-stimulate you before you drive. Avoid mouthwash for the same reason.
If you have bottled water at home, drink that and nothing else before driving. Caffeine is a stimulant, but even tap water can be overly stimulating because of all the chemicals in it, especially to someone with an obvious sensitivity to chemicals. The safest water to drink is spring water. Avoid non-oragnic cow's milk altogether. Drink only organic whole milk anytime. Ask you Mom to buy it if she doesn't. Non-whole milk is reconstituted with tap water. Avoid any pain reliever before driving , except for Aleve - non-gel caps. It's the most chemically neutral. Ask mom to buy you spring water every week. A sensitivity to chemicals requires pure water.
In the mean time, think about chemically neutralizing your life. There is no cure for intolerances because there is no cure for weakened neurons, only avoidance, and sometimes not even that. One way to deal with chemical intolerances and the symptoms is to reduce the body's over-all chemical load by avoiding chemicals elsewhere so your autonomic neurons aren't so over-taxed by harsh stimulants (chemicals and poisons) everywhere.
Also, when you wake up in the morning, not tomorrow, but soon, pay attention to your heart. Do this often. You should not notice it at all. If it pounds, races, or palpitates, you are having an allergic reaction to chemicals in your room.
Chemically neutralize your bedroom by washing everything in your bedroom and closet with hypoallergenic detergent only (like Tide-free) and use no fabric softener / sheets. Do this until your heart beats quietly in the morning, or even if it does. Have your parents do this too. It may save their lives and extend them. Many or most soaps and detergents are made with plant derivatives grown with pesticides - very harsh stimulants. So we're not just breathing a scent, but possibly pesticides, and sleeping in pajamas and bedding that has been washed in pesticides as well. And then we eat meals, candy, drinks, snack foods, drugs, toothpaste and more with pesticides and herbicides.
Ask your Mom to buy only Palmolive original dish detergent. It is very easy on the nervous system. Use it for washing floors and everything including hands. I was so sensitive to dish detergents that dish water affected me at the other end of the house. Like a canary in the coal mine, if it doesn't bother me, it shouldn't bother anyone. Chemical exposure, over time, degrade neurons. Eat only whole organic foods when possible. Ask your mom to buy them. She may not know why it's important. Activists right now are working on getting organic milk in school lunch rooms, and getting all organically labeled products to really be fully organic. They aren't at this time. Good luck feeling calm and pragmatic. For more info on chemical-free living follow the link below.
- 1 decade ago
I also had that fear when I was younger and found that the only thing that helped me feel better was experience. The more you drive, the better you will feel. However, you shouldn't have to feel rushed. If you need more time on side streets or quieter roads, there is nothing wrong with that! In fact, you really should stick to the smaller streets for a while until you are ready as driving too slowly can be as dangerous as speeding and you should probably stay off the main roads until you feel comfortable going the speed limit or at least close to it. Since your parents are so enthusiastic about making you drive, they shouldn't have a problem with helping you practice more.
When you first get into the car, try and relax. Breathe deeply. Find a comfortable position and try to maintain this as you drive. If you find that your parents are stressing you out too much, see if you can sign up for driving lessons with a professional. They tend to be a lot calmer and will understand that you need to go at your own pace.
Try not to give up. Unless you live in a big city with good public transportation or live in a place where you can get everywhere you need to go by walking or biking, being able to drive is a must.
Personally, I have gone from being extremely afraid of driving to enjoying it (most of the time). Any time I do feel anxious, and there are still times, I am able to work through it. Listening to a good CD always helps, though I wouldn't recommend listening to music while you drive until you have more experience.
Just keep at it. I promise it will get better :)
- ?Lv 45 years ago
Driving on the motorway is EASIER than driving around town, your concerns are invalid as it's a long, straight-ish road with most people going a similar speed. Just pay attention, signal to change lanes, always check your blind spot before changing lanes, and leave a decent (at least 2 second) gap between you and the car in front. Try to stay to the inside lane if you're nervous, at least that way you only have traffic on one side of you. There are many people who've been driving for YEARS who still don't like or refuse to go on motorways!
- 1 decade ago
The Fear of Driving or Driving anxiety can be easily overcome if you develop the material strength to stay cool and hold over your nerves while driving. There are a few simple ways to counter the problem, in association with self-help programs. You can read a great review on the following link of such program http://www.beatanxietypanicattacks.com/d%E2%80%A6
You may also want to read the following article on how to overcome driving anxiety http://www.beatanxietypanicattacks.com/h%E2%80%A6
I have found the program very helpful for myself as after a very bad accident I could not bring myself to get behind the steering wheel. I became a prisoner and the fear of driving overtook my life. Now I can say that I drive my children to school and everyday is getting better for me.
You have nothing to lose so give it a try
Source(s): http://www.beatanxietypanicattacks.com/ - How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- 1 decade ago
Tell them to stop pressuring you arnd that you aren't ready for main roads. I started driving in a small car on a dirt road where I say. Just get in relax. adjust where you are comfortable. drive as slow as you need. then little by little pick up speed. Its ok. the most i go in a curve is 45mph depending on curve. I have my permit but sometimes myself make mistakes or go slow. Trust your instincts. if you aren't ready then just wait. you know what you can do . just give it a try. go to a place like adventure landing or frankies where there are go carts and drive those for practice. that way you know you wont hurt yourself or anybody else. Good Luck
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Just be confident! Pretend no one is with you, Your driving on the Main road having a great time. Forget that someone is with you, just stay focus! Not being able to drive won't slow you down in life. I know many people who don't know how to drive, They use the bus or Trains. Anyway, Its your choice! Good Luck!
- ?Lv 41 decade ago
Not being able to drive isn't going to stop you from going to college. If this is something you want to overcome just keep on driving. Cars are going to be useless eventually. I live in a large city and they are already useless there, walking and public transport is much quicker. Don't worry about it, you don't have to do what your parents tell you to do.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Go street racing wit yer friends that should help.