does any1 have any advice or suffer the same phobia as me?

[laura678]

hi i dont know if any1 can help and actually it probably sounds pathetic!
well anyway,it took me nearly 4 years to pass my driving test,4 years i hear u say is a long time,and it was!and i cant drive manual cos i couldnt use the gearstick after 15 lessons!so i learnt in automatic.failed 3 tests you do on computer (hazard perception)and passed 3rd time ,well eventually.the thing is after 2 years of passing my test i absolutely hate driving,i feel scared,anxious so bad that i cant bring myself to even sit in the drivers seat,it makes me feel physically sick,nothing really has caused me to feel so phobic of driving,well for the 1st year it took me ages to park the car and when i say ages i dont mean a couple of mins,i was really crap at it,so much even the kids got bored!!but i did get better wiv alot of practise,my partner thinks im a competent driver,but thinks it must have been a fluke passin test cos i was rubbish at parking.he doesnt know about the way i feel about driving,and thinks i just enjoy walking,i need to get ova this cos we are moving soon from devon to hants and theres noone else to drive the car there,please im desperate does anyone have any ideas to overcome this pathetic fear!!oh and sorry for droning on so long.

[clare bear]

hey chic i dont drive myself but have you tried just sitting in the car with the ignition off, i know it sounds silly but then at least you are in the car. also do you know anyone else who drives that you trust? if so get them to drive you to a quiet place (ie car park / industrial estate) have a try at driving there first to get used to the car. also get some green p plates to put on your car, my hubby found that if ppl see them they give you a chance to pull out of roads and junctions slower, they also realise that you have just pased your test and need some space. hope some of this helps. lol

[c.a.cullum]

hun i kinda kno wot u mean!! i havent yet done my driving coz i absolutely hate being in the car!! im an awful passenger and wen i was doing driving lessons i froze up!! i think its such a scary place but wot im hoping is that once i feel in control of the car i will b better!! so mayb if u looked in2 haviing some1 sit with u to try and build up ur confidence, or do the pass plus!! mayb the more u drive indepently the better it wil become!! but if it really does upset u too much just stick to ur legs and public transport!! dont push urself in2 doing something u really dont want to do!!

[laura678]

thanks ladies for your ideas,i think i may look into the pass plus ,but ill put sum p plates on 1st,u know i think its the inconsiderate and impatient drivers just put me off,but illl give another go and if i still hate it,i think ill just have 2 catch the bus!

[c.a.cullum]

its other drivers thats my main problem too... i just dont trust them!! im sure ur a fab driver and hopefully u'l learn to love it!!