I'm 23 and I don't have a driver's licenses because I don't how to drive or start a car due to my massive anxiety about driving
I know the idea is totally crazy for anyone not to want to drive or have their own car. It's not that I don't want to drive or anything, but I have so much fear and anxiety when it comes to driving or operating a car because I'm afraid I'll kill someone or myself that it hinders me from going out and learning on my own. My parents never really tried to work with me growing up and now they're hounding me about getttin gym licenses and telling my aniexty is "all in my head." Am I the only one who's going through this?
@TealSwan I'm 22 and have yet to get my driver's lisence either. I have an overwhelming amount of anxiety as well, but for different reasons. You're definetely not the only one. It's tough and it's easy to beat yourself up over it, but give yourself time and be gentle with yourself. Perhaps starting small could help (it helped me for some time), like big and empty parking lots so you're without that fear of killing someone. It gives you a feel for the car and a good way to try things out without too much worry and stress placed on yourself. You can build your confidence at your own pace, no need to rush into anything you're not ready for.
Can you afford to go to a driving school? That helped me. Like when I was learning with my parents I would just get worked up over even something small like not being able to back out of the driveway stright or something.
And like that one person said, you can start practising in empty parking lots, maybe empty school pickup line road things, stuff like that.
A lot of people are afraid or feel like they are the exception, and that somehow they will never be able to get it right. I've never seen that fear come true though. Like...I made it, my friend is literally getting his liscence as I type this (and he's 21)...
So yeah. A lot of it is enduring but also keeping the stress down too.
@TealSwan You're definitely not the only one! My mother is almost 50 and she doesn't drive at all because of her road anxiety. Even though she learned how when she was much younger, she still can't get behind the wheel. It hasn't really been a hindrance in our family because many of us can just drive her around lol. I'd try not to beat yourself up about it. ^^
I can completely relate. I have a massive anxiety about driving.
I have a licence now and drive daily to work and on selected journeys that I am comfortable with.
I had a course of CBT and it really helped me to gradually conquer me fears.
@TealSwan
Finding a good driving instructor can also help a great deal. It took me a long time to learn because of my anxiety. What made a big difference was to decide to learn in an automatic car and getting an instructor used to anxious students. My friend who is an occupational therapist recommended someone who regularly works with disabled people and people who go back to driving after serious accidents. he had a good understanding of how anxiety impacts the ability to learn and was great in helping me to gradually build up confidence to the test standard.
I remain anxious and only drive to limited number of destinations despite having CBT. On a plus note I can drive 30 miles to work now comfortably and have ventured on motorways.The more I drive the easier it gets. I had my license for 5 years.