Well I haven't gotten it 100% figured out, but I'm getting there.
Thanks Melanie.
The first step for me was realizing that it is MY mind that controls the feelings..what preceeds those feelings are thoughts. I kept telling myself thoughts I know to be true and undisputable..that I am a good driver, I have never passed out or fell asleep while driving, and that I have never caused an accident..with that being constantly fed over and over again, I just kept driving to and from work...even though it was sometimes stressful, I still forced myself to do it. This has been about a month now...and I keep forcing myself...
Today driving to work was in complete comfort, although I haven't begun the freeway commute to work..but finally my alternate route is completely comfortable.
I have been driving the freeway home, though for about 1.5 weeks now, with about 99% comfort. I hope that this week this too, will be 100% comfort. Once I have tackled that, I intend to drive the freeway TO work, on a weekend (maybe this next one) and see how it feels. Someone said, "That which doesn't kill us, only makes us stronger." LOLOL..I think that what doesn't kill us only makes us stranger... :)
I realize, though, that my panic/anxiety seems a much less extreme degree than most people here. I feel very fortunate and humbled by that .....
