Mental Health Support

XanaDUer2

(10,683 posts) Sun Mar 3, 2024, 06:33 PM Mar 3

Anyone get nervous driving to new places?

I have a second opinion appointment tomorrow with a dentist. Its not a close practice. I've never been there before. I've looked at Google maps and its entered in the phone. But driving far distances when I'm not sure where I'm going makes me anxious. Hoping for a more positive even a little, 2nd opinion

23 replies

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Anyone get nervous driving to new places? (Original Post) XanaDUer2 Mar 3 OP

Yup, hate it. Good luck. a kennedy Mar 3 #1

Thanks i knew some in here would get it nt XanaDUer2 Mar 3 #4

Getting lost is frustrating. SarahD Mar 3 #2

Omg parking stresses me out nt XanaDUer2 Mar 3 #5

Yes! But do the drive on Google! Nittersing Mar 3 #3

Good idea XanaDUer2 Mar 3 #7

I do this too! It really helps a lot! 50 Shades Of Blue Mar 3 #12

I'm with you on nervousness driving somewhere I'm not familiar with. I always leave early so I don't need to add MLAA Mar 3 #6

Were leaving early nt XanaDUer2 Mar 3 #8

Something I discovered lately Basic LA Mar 3 #9

Good idea, thanks XanaDUer2 Mar 3 #11

I use a navigator whenever I can. The driving around here is intense. Google Maps is pretty good as is Waze. RKP5637 Mar 3 #10

I have lots of anxiety driving these days. I don't drive on the freeway at all anymore. skylucy Mar 3 #13

Oh, of course DarthDem Mar 3 #14

I wanted to drive in advance XanaDUer2 Mar 3 #15

I understand that! DarthDem Mar 15 #21

I'm going Monday XanaDUer2 Mar 15 #22

That should help with the anxiety DarthDem Mar 15 #23

Yes. Always. murielm99 Mar 3 #16

I'm an older, very safe driver. multigraincracker Mar 3 #17

I moved the appointment back a week XanaDUer2 Mar 4 #18

Always! Mossfern Mar 14 #19

You're not alone XanaDUer2 Mar 14 #20

a kennedy

(29,673 posts)

1. Yup, hate it. Good luck.

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Original post)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 06:35 PM

Mar 3

XanaDUer2

(10,683 posts)

4. Thanks i knew some in here would get it nt

Reply to a kennedy (Reply #1)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 06:52 PM

Mar 3

SarahD

(1,196 posts)

2. Getting lost is frustrating.

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Original post)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 06:43 PM

Mar 3

Google maps or GPS helps a great deal, but the last two or three blocks can be tense
Then there is parking...

XanaDUer2

(10,683 posts)

5. Omg parking stresses me out nt

Reply to SarahD (Reply #2)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 06:52 PM

Mar 3

Nittersing

(6,362 posts)

3. Yes! But do the drive on Google!

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Original post)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 06:44 PM

Mar 3

It's one thing to have a map and another thing to have some landmarks you can identify.

I always look at the street view and "drive" the entire route before I go.

(It's not always 100% accurate if the street views are old)

XanaDUer2

(10,683 posts)

7. Good idea

Reply to Nittersing (Reply #3)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 06:53 PM

Mar 3

Fortunately, I've been part way down the road to it

50 Shades Of Blue

(10,011 posts)

12. I do this too! It really helps a lot!

Reply to Nittersing (Reply #3)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 07:18 PM

Mar 3

MLAA

(17,298 posts)

6. I'm with you on nervousness driving somewhere I'm not familiar with. I always leave early so I don't need to add

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Original post)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 06:53 PM

Mar 3

worrying about being late!

You can do it!

XanaDUer2

(10,683 posts)

8. Were leaving early nt

Reply to MLAA (Reply #6)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 06:54 PM

Mar 3

Basic LA

(2,047 posts)

9. Something I discovered lately

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Original post)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 06:56 PM

Mar 3

After studying for and passing my driving written test (renewal) recently, I find that taking a little pride in my driving now seems to reduce the anxiety I otherwise would feel in traffic & new areas. Might be something to concentrate on rather than your anxiety.

XanaDUer2

(10,683 posts)

11. Good idea, thanks

Reply to Basic LA (Reply #9)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 07:11 PM

Mar 3

RKP5637

(67,111 posts)

10. I use a navigator whenever I can. The driving around here is intense. Google Maps is pretty good as is Waze.

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Original post)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 07:04 PM

Mar 3

skylucy

(3,739 posts)

13. I have lots of anxiety driving these days. I don't drive on the freeway at all anymore.

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Original post)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 07:22 PM

Mar 3

The dentist AND driving there (I've been to my dentist's office many times) would totally freak me out. I would have to take an Ativan.

DarthDem

(5,255 posts)

14. Oh, of course

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Original post)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 08:01 PM

Mar 3

There's the fear of being late. Driving it advance or even looking it up as many suggested should help. Good luck with the second opinion!!

XanaDUer2

(10,683 posts)

15. I wanted to drive in advance

Reply to DarthDem (Reply #14)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 08:02 PM

Mar 3

But my copilot refused

DarthDem

(5,255 posts)

21. I understand that!

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Reply #15)

Fri Mar 15, 2024, 11:55 AM

Mar 15

How did it go after the rescheduling?

XanaDUer2

(10,683 posts)

22. I'm going Monday

Reply to DarthDem (Reply #21)

Fri Mar 15, 2024, 12:19 PM

Mar 15

I've hired medical transport

DarthDem

(5,255 posts)

23. That should help with the anxiety

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Reply #22)

Fri Mar 15, 2024, 12:40 PM

Mar 15

I assume they know where they're going.

Best wishes to you.

murielm99

(30,745 posts)

16. Yes. Always.

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Original post)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 08:22 PM

Mar 3

multigraincracker

(32,688 posts)

17. I'm an older, very safe driver.

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Original post)

Sun Mar 3, 2024, 08:23 PM

Mar 3

I try to move over and let those in a hurry pass me.
I pulled into a rest area last year and a younger guy came up to my window and asked if I knew what the speed limit is. I told him yes I do, do you know what the minimum speed limit is. He looked surprised and I told him I was driver 10 mph over that. If someone is in a hurry, my first thought is they should have left earlier.

Best of luck. I’m betting you’ll be fine. let us know how it goes.

XanaDUer2

(10,683 posts)

18. I moved the appointment back a week

Reply to multigraincracker (Reply #17)

Mon Mar 4, 2024, 07:10 PM

Mar 4

I just got this feeling of dread about going today without knowing exactly where it is. We'll be taking an exploratory trip in a few days

Mossfern

(2,513 posts)

19. Always!

Reply to XanaDUer2 (Original post)

Thu Mar 14, 2024, 08:58 AM

Mar 14

Thankfully, sometimes my husband will drive me the first time or I make a test run before. I leave a lot of extra time so that if I make a wrong turn I can correct and hopefully still be at my appointment on time.

I have panic /anxiety attacks.
I feel like it's the end of the world.

I've explored this with my therapist unsuccessfully.
And then again it's the anxiety that I will have anxiety.

Ugh!
I'm so glad that I found this sub forum and that I'm not alone!

XanaDUer2

(10,683 posts)

20. You're not alone

Reply to Mossfern (Reply #19)

Thu Mar 14, 2024, 09:16 AM

Mar 14

Welcome! I've ordered a medical transport to take me.
I have PA, too

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