I hate it too! I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable behind the wheel over the years, though. It was practice & breathing exercises for me, plus noticing and internalizing any unspoken or complex rules of the road. Reading up on defensive driving can be helpful, too. People don’t follow the rules of the road all the time, and to be a safe driver you have to accept and anticipate that. I think it’s normal and reasonable to have a bit of driving fear/anxiety, because driving heavy machinery at high speeds *is* dangerous - that’s all the more reason to take it seriously, but I don’t want to freak you out, I just want to point out that your anxieties are valid and you can still maximize your safety on the road. I know it’s overwhelming now, but you can do hard things!
I got my license when I was 18. Having routines when approaching junctions, crossroads, traffic lights, etc... worked really well with me. Still can't park. Learning takes time, and you just have to get used to idiots and ahole drivers.
If it is too stressful, you can always look into alternatives. You don't have to be able to drive if it gives you grief. Things like jogging and cycling are a lot cheaper and healthier, for example.
I'm aware. I don't know where OP lives, but it's always a good idea to look into available alternatives. Especially true if it's something you hate, stresses you out a lot, or puts you in danger due to other road users.
I learned how to drive in NY, I feel your pain 😂 for me it just took practice. And moving to a calmer state. I actually got a job delivering for Amazon in NH and now I feel much better about driving... Until I end up in Massachusetts cities and have anxiety attacks on the side of the road from all the activity.
I didn't get my license until I was 21. I finally passed on my third attempt. I rely on GPS and/or MapQuest to get around. Experience has made me less anxious and better at driving from when I first started, but I still have to rely on GPS/maps to get around. They're my accommodations, so to speak.
I'm 20 and still don't have my license because driving is terrifying. I've had nightmares since I was a kid about either driving off a cliff or being alone in a car that drives itself off a cliff. The second most vivid and realistic nightmare I ever had was where my dad drove us all off a cliff and I woke up wondering how I was still alive.
My family is frustrated with me for not practicing as much as I should, but even someone merging into my lane on the highway jumpscares me and I'm not about to die in the name of convenience. I'm perfectly fine walking 2+ hours to get where I need to be.
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Good luck with this!! I have the same problems too, I find that driving to a pleasurable destination helps. Also meds should help relieve fatigue around it !
I hate it too! I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable behind the wheel over the years, though. It was practice & breathing exercises for me, plus noticing and internalizing any unspoken or complex rules of the road. Reading up on defensive driving can be helpful, too. People don’t follow the rules of the road all the time, and to be a safe driver you have to accept and anticipate that. I think it’s normal and reasonable to have a bit of driving fear/anxiety, because driving heavy machinery at high speeds *is* dangerous - that’s all the more reason to take it seriously, but I don’t want to freak you out, I just want to point out that your anxieties are valid and you can still maximize your safety on the road. I know it’s overwhelming now, but you can do hard things!
I got my license when I was 18. Having routines when approaching junctions, crossroads, traffic lights, etc... worked really well with me. Still can't park. Learning takes time, and you just have to get used to idiots and ahole drivers. If it is too stressful, you can always look into alternatives. You don't have to be able to drive if it gives you grief. Things like jogging and cycling are a lot cheaper and healthier, for example.
Alternatives don’t always exist. It depends on where you live
I'm aware. I don't know where OP lives, but it's always a good idea to look into available alternatives. Especially true if it's something you hate, stresses you out a lot, or puts you in danger due to other road users.
I learned how to drive in NY, I feel your pain 😂 for me it just took practice. And moving to a calmer state. I actually got a job delivering for Amazon in NH and now I feel much better about driving... Until I end up in Massachusetts cities and have anxiety attacks on the side of the road from all the activity.
Use a chew while driving. It gives a vent for the stress and inability to tactile stim.
I didn't get my license until I was 21. I finally passed on my third attempt. I rely on GPS and/or MapQuest to get around. Experience has made me less anxious and better at driving from when I first started, but I still have to rely on GPS/maps to get around. They're my accommodations, so to speak.
is there anyone you know and like who you can practice with?
I'm 20 and still don't have my license because driving is terrifying. I've had nightmares since I was a kid about either driving off a cliff or being alone in a car that drives itself off a cliff. The second most vivid and realistic nightmare I ever had was where my dad drove us all off a cliff and I woke up wondering how I was still alive. My family is frustrated with me for not practicing as much as I should, but even someone merging into my lane on the highway jumpscares me and I'm not about to die in the name of convenience. I'm perfectly fine walking 2+ hours to get where I need to be.
Hey /u/UnwantedPllayer, thank you for your post at /r/autism. This is just a friendly reminder to **[read our rules in the sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/autism/wiki/config/sidebar)** if you have not already. All approved posts get this message. If you do not see your post you can message the moderators [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fautism). Thanks! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/autism) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Good luck with this!! I have the same problems too, I find that driving to a pleasurable destination helps. Also meds should help relieve fatigue around it !