Sudden Nervousness When Driving

[robofluff]

I have been driving for over 18 years and without warning I have suddenly developed nerves and fears behind the wheel, I have not had an accident or anything, I am under a lot of pressure at the moment I am moving house and I have suffered a bereavement in the last few months of my sister. would the stress in my life have an effect on my driving? I cant find anything on google about this sort of thing

[Sqad]

Emotional disorders are not my "thing" and i know nothing about yoru medical history or age......BUT......I would pay a visit to your GP who may well suggest a blood test, particularly thyroid tests as an under-active thyroid may well be responsible.

Just a thought.

[catswhiskas]

This happened to me , after years of delivery driving, I think stress is a big factor, even now , I only want to drive around our small town , dont feel safe on very busy roads. I used to drive everywhere, seems very stupid, I have had to talk myself into driving....dont even like going in the multi storey.

[robofluff]

Thank you for the replies, I am 48 and I do have an underactive thyroid my last test was slightly on the low side of normal, but still normal so no action taken.

That sounds similar to myself catswhiskers. I can drive on very local roads but I am struggling on fast and busy roads where I need to think and act quickly. It literally happened overnight. one day I can drive, the next I cant

[TWR]

Robofluff, do yourself and other people a duty of safety, "Stop Driving " until this has been sorted, It seem you are not concentrating on your driving as you have too many distractions on your mind.

[horselady]

Yes, happened to me too. Used to drive for a living, now I don't like motorways or any place where I don't know the roads. I think stress can have lot to do with it, certainly did in my case.

[Rebecca01]

Yep me too, I've had a couple of bumps but merely superficial but I've become very apprehensive when driving, I won't go anywhere I haven't been before as I don't know the roads and I constantly talk to myself too, saying things like "red" out loud at the lights and I'd rather walk a mile than go into a multi storey or park up if lots of other cars are parked there too, I think it's something to do with age ( 46 next week) maybe I'm going through the change and am becoming more hyper aware, maybe I should get a chauffeur lol ;-)

[kylesmum]

I'm the same.
I had a serious leg injury 3yrs back (not car related) and it was a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Now that i'm able to drive again i've found that i've lost my confidence.
I'm like catswhiskas, I only drive around the town.The thought of motorway driving and being stuck in a traffic jam fills me with dread so I avoid.

It's embarrassing having to say to people I can't help them out when they know I used to drive to the continent without any problems.

I think that stress can affect your confidence robofluff, i'm the last person to give advice really but i'd suggest driving when the roads are quieter in order to regain your confidence before you end up like me :) Good luck.

[horselady]

I often think I might go for a few "confidence building" lessons with a driving instructor, worth a try maybe.

[UKSWF]

I had a very similar experience, having driven for 25+ years sometimes over 1000 miles per week I suddenly became very anxious when driving on the motorway, I am fine driving in town but get really panicky on motorways, I even took some more driving lessons but the driving instructor could find no fault with my techniques. I am also approaching 50 so I have put it down to impending Menopause, I hope it passes because it is not a pleasant sensation.

[kylesmum]

That's actually a good idea horselady.Might even consider that myself !

[UKSWF]

It is really great to understand you are not alone (or going mad!)

[TWR]

Reading some of the replies regards the Motorway, ( Sorry to divert from your Q for a Min Robo) If you are used to town driving & keeping off the Motorways you are doing yourself no good, as you know due to the volume of traffic it can be Intimidating, even if you go on the Motorway for an hour, do it, or keep off it, your nervousness can cause a pile up. Again, Sorry Robo.

[gness]

Hi Robo.......I'm an advanced driver and have driven in many countries and busy cities....I love driving.

A few months after my husband died the same thing happened to me....there was no reason....no accident or near miss......I would just go to pieces at the thought of driving a distance...especially on a motorway.
I cancelled a holiday at the last minute because I couldn't face the two hour drive.

The two hundred mile trip to visit my daughter was a nightmare so I started using the train and taxis.

I saw my doctor who explained why this was happening now when I had coped well with the stress while it was happening.....he prescribed a course of Citalopram....six months I think.....and the difference it made was amazing.....

I'm back to driving like the old Gness now.......☺

Take care.....x

[vulcan42]

Could it be a panic attack?
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/understanding-panic-attacks.aspx

[robofluff]

Thank you again for the replies, TWR believe it or not I am concentrating as I drive. This is not a case that I am distracted and not focussing. I had no idea that this problem was more common than I realised either.

I will take gness and sqad's advice and make an appointment to see my GP as I do feel its stress related.

[robofluff]

I dont think its a panic attack its just general nervousness and anxiety. At its peak I pull over when safe and calm myself down for a while.

[TWR]

Best wishes, hope all goes well for you.

[Prudie]

I do actually agree with vulcan, maybe not a full blown panic attack but general anxiety disorder brought on by the stress you've recently been under. It has happened to you while driving but it happened to me in a cinema once and now I do anything to get out of going to the cinema. It's irrational and scary and has nothing to do with your ability to drive. I'd definitely go to GP and ask for tests/help - in my case I didn't tell anyone and suffered with anxiety really badly for a year (plus the memory of it never really goes away).

[gness]

Robo.....thank you for BA and I do know how you feel and how difficult it is to explain.....

It's not really a panic attack though it has some of the same symptoms and it's not being vacant or distracted......and you don't know what it is you fear.

The tedious and expensive trips from Northants to Devon by public transport were easier for me than driving a journey I had made dozens of times and enjoyed....

I still recall the pleasure I felt when I was back to normal and pulled up at my daughters house smiling and having had an enjoyable and relaxing trip.....

You will get there.....time and a little help is all you need.....let us know...x

[Zacs-Master]

I would recommend getting in contact with your local Institute of Advance Motorist branch and asking for two or three 'roadcraft' lessons. They used to be free and will give you you're confidence back.