Anxiety of being a car passenger... what to do?
By Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (47897)
Staten Island, New York
August 31, 2016 2:21pm CST
I am not sure exactly what brought this on but I have car anxiety when being a passenger no matter who I get in the car with. It can just be in the beginning of the ride or it can last the whole ride through. Sometimes it's mild but sometimes it's intense. But no matter what I am not calm inside during the entire ride. And I feel anxious even before I actually have to get in the car with someone.
Often enough I hold on to the car door handle or grab on to the handle above the door real tight (at least in the beginning of the ride). I may find myself becoming hot and unable to sit still when it's intense and even start to panic. On a rare occasion I may even scream for the driver to stop the car and let me out of the car.
What can I do to stop this...? I don't want to go through this every time I get in the car (no matter how intense or mild my anxiety may be). Sometimes holding a bottle of water or even sipping some water helps a little. And taking long breaths helps some too. But I wish there was something I could do to make it stop altogether. Any ideas or suggestions?
3 people like this
4 responses
@porwest (109109)
• United States
9 Oct
I have no suggestions, unfortunately. I am a HORRIBLE passenger and a complete control freak when it comes to driving. Whenever my wife and I are out and about or taking a trip, I am the only one who drives. Based on her responses when I am driving, she seems to have all the phantom controls on her side complete with brakes and a steering wheel. 
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (47897)
• Staten Island, New York
10 Oct
I hate it when hubby drives fast and switches lanes constantly. Or when the light turns yellow and he speeds up to make it.
1 person likes this
@porwest (109109)
• United States
11 Oct
@lovebuglena I drive much more carefully than that. I am a defensive driver. Too many crazies out there...your husband might be one of the ones I am looking out for. lol
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (47897)
• Staten Island, New York
12 Oct
@porwest I have seen some crazies on the road and my husband is not like them. But still, I don’t like it when he speeds or switches lanes. Why can’t you just stay in one lane until you need to turn?
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
31 Aug 16
You know what, my mother is the exact same way in a car. She gets all stressed out and jumps and sometimes screams. And m brother gets that way too. I don't understand it, but it happens. I know for my mother, she was in a few car accidents when she was younger and that left her that way. As for my brother, I guess he is just a nervous person. Honestly I don't think there is anything you can do to stop this. You can ask a doctor and see what he says. But chances are they will wind up giving you a pill to calm down. Which is not always a good thing.
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
1 Sep 16
@lovebuglena I know what you mean. And I don't blame you. Other than that I don't know what else to say. If you cannot be in a car with someone else as a passenger, then my advice is don't get in one.
@lovebuglena (47897)
• Staten Island, New York
2 Sep 16
@inertia4 Well, I try to avoid that if possible, especially if the driver is not my fiance, even though with him as the driver I go through this as well. It's not always possible though because transportation, though plenty in NYC, doesn't get you everywhere you want or need to go. Plus, if I want to go somewhere outside the city that requires taking a car.
1 person likes this
@Jackalyn (7558)
• Oxford, England
1 Sep 16
The way some people drive, I also hold the handle and pray. I think without the prayer I would be as anxious as you are.
@lovebuglena (47897)
• Staten Island, New York
3 Sep 16
But even when I get in the car with someone I know is a good driver not a maniac I will still feel anxious and on edge at least at the very beginning.
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (15989)
• Torrington, Connecticut
20h
Im the same, I dont trust anybodies driving other than my own, Dont know if thats bad or good
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (47897)
• Staten Island, New York
17h
It is definitely better when you’re the driver because you’re in total control.
