Fear Of Travel

[dj9928]

I have had Agoraphobia for 8 years now,and although I'm a hell of alot better than what I was It always seems to reapear when I travel in a car etc. Anyone else get this? I can go out socialise,go for long walks with no problems now its just when I get in a Car it comes back. I don't drive so I am always the passenger,what happens is i'm no sooner in the Car and I want somewhere to escape to,Motorways/Freeways are espically terrifying,just the thought that I have absolutley nowhere to escape to. My bowels start to go,I start feeling sick and I get stupid thoughts through my head about opening the door etc. I've often had to get my wife to stop at the motorway services every 5 miles or so for a breather,and when I get out of the car it's such a relief. The same applies to Aeroplanes,Boat and public transport,well I simply couldn't go on them for a start,just even the thought of been closed in and having no where to run makes me feel faint.

[jerseygirl]

OMG DJ !
I can totally relate with you. Whenever I drive alone I get those feelings like I'm getting weak and faint or very faint. I have a trip I'm going on in March and I'm kinda terrified of whats gonna happen on the plane and when I get off it too. You see I'm not gonna have my car waiting for me and thats kinda me safe place when I get nervous (well...atleast when I'm not driving...hehehe) So my p-doc said to take shuttle to airport and such to kinda desensitize myself. I'm gonna try my darndest, cuz I'm goin to San Diego no matter what ! ! !

[Rollagirl22]

Hi dj9928,

i also have fear of travel but in evrything BUT cars. Planes, trains, buses are all petrifying to me because i am not in controll when it stops and i can't get off whenever i want therefor making me feel trapped which leads to me having a panic attack. but for me, being in the car is freedom, you can stop the car and get out when ever you have to. Maybe you could try looking at being in the car the way i do, its in your controll.

[brickyard_red]

Hello there dj9928,
You're not alone on this. I too have a terrible time when traveling in the car. Only mine is on road trips or driving by myself (which I seem to only do anymore for going to work and to my mom's house). If my husband is driving then I'm fine as long as it's somewhere I know where I am. But if we go on a trip of any kind I'm just like you. I panic ahead of time and I start having to run to the bathroom all the time and I start feeling so sick to my stomach that I can't eat.

The last trip we went on, in May, was for a car convention, two things that got me panicing, road trip and a large group of people, and I was so upset by the time we left that I had to have my poor husband pull over at every rest stop so I could use the bathroom. I lost over 10 lbs. on the "vacation".

Some things that help me get through it is just sitting back in my seat and knowing that I am with a loved one and as long as I'm with them I'm going to be alright. Listening to music helps too. If music is playing in the car, concentrate on that. It's hard, I know, but know that you're not alone in this!

Cath

[Angel]

I too have this problem with driving. Whether it be driver or passenger. I would rather be a passenger, so when i feel anxious i kan just close my eyes and breathe. When i am driving i try to make small goals for my self.
You know, from my house to the highway. from the highway to the stoplight after the next. From the stoplight to the next intersection and so on...luckily i only have to do this when i go to my psych.

I just recently missed a court date for an expired registration due to this problem...any suggestions?

[blu_vodka]

Hi dj9928,
I can understand. I started getting such panic attacks in transport that I avoided going out, and can stay at home for weeks. Its so sad, and whenever I really need to go out, I have to take Xanax. Its a sickening thought.

Anyone on any useful diet or exercises that can combat this "trapped'' feeling in cars. I dun feel trapped in lifts though, just cars and freeways really make me soooooo scared.

[miss_moose]

I can understand your fear of travel, i get sooooo panicy about going in the car but something that helps is having my confort bag with me. Its such a great thing, i reccomend that you have one too My Comfort bag is an angel, i wont go anywhere with out it. its just a normal sholder bag which i used to use for college so it doesnt draw attention to me.
In mine i have a hotwater bottle, that way i can feel the warmth through the bag which eases stomach pain. no one knows you have it so you dont feel stupid but its comforting to you. also i have a puzzle book or 2, a magazine, some tissue, 2 cartons of orange juice and a botle of water. you can mix and match and take what ever you feel you might need "just incase". I still panic but having my comfort bag with me just incase i have a panic attack is a huge comfort to me.
What ever you take in it though, always have a drink with you and some tissue. the tissue is just good to scunch up in a bag and use as a stress ball.
his message wasnt meant to be this long but i hope it helps you, and anyone else who may be reading this.
Good luck xxx

[Jono_aussie]

yeah im similair i cant go outside of my town without panicking, but i've never been on a plane but just the thought gives me anxiety though

[Irish]

I'm heading off in a plane with my family in 2 weeks, None of them know about my panic attacks and i'm really freeking out.

Any help would be great...

[miss_moose]

Oh you shoul really tell them about your panic attacks. explain it in great detail about how they make you feel, what causes them and what can be done to help you and to ease your distress.
i could never go on a plane, im much too frightend.
if you honestly believe that its too much for you and think it will cause you great distress and affect your mental health then dont go.
if your pushed into doing something you arnt ready for it makes you worse. i know as ive experienced really scary things and put in situations ive not been ready for and they have really set me back and frightend me.
i hope it goes well though x