trashbat wrote:My OH is a cognitive behavioural therapist dealing, amongst other things, with clients that have anxiety disorders, so it's a familiar pattern
Planning is obviously helping you, and I use Street View in advance too to reduce the chances of driving endlessly past the destination. I still suggest you dip your toes in the practical 'what ifs' of being underprepared or getting lost, in a loosely controlled way (i.e. maybe not on the way to catch a flight!) just to experience for real that the outcomes aren't actually that disastrous.
Kimosabe wrote:You have already noticed changes and improvements in your abilities to do the things you've been discussing, so you must be doing something right. Rewarding positive behaviour is very important, so do something you enjoy (that's good for you), just for you and relate it to the work you're doing to help yourself. Might I also suggest that before engaging with any form of ongoing intervention with regard to this, that you first acknowledge and accept who you are, in this case while driving? It's not always necessary to be any different, unless you need to be and right now, you are who you are and that's good enough. There's your starting point. Be happy/ happier with who and how you are. Notice when and where you tend to overthink things and be patient with yourself.
Give yourself permission to make mistakes and to react and/or respond as you currently are. Just notice things you consider to be 'mistakes' and then notice how much value you give them. Perspective is everything. Notice how you respond to them, without interfering with them or berating yourself. Keeping a diary is a great way of helping yourself to reflect. This is to say that we all make mistakes that aren't necessarily related to any pattern of behaviour and while it's important to be aware of some of these patterns, in order to change them in part or as a whole, they need to be acknowledged in a healthy way ie not to be too harsh with ourselves for being who we are. Doing this may well lighten the load enough to give yourself some headroom, in which to develop new ways or entire patterns of doing some things. So be very gentle and patient with yourself, as i'm sure you are with others when they make mistakes. To err is human, after all.
Right, that's said. So the eventual outcome you want from this, is to be more relaxed, less anxious and more focussed. It may well be possible and just a matter of time, so don't rush into this, as doing so might well exacerbate any anxiety or negative processes that already exist. Small incremental and natural changes often have positive knock-on effects in other areas of life and personality. Be patient, tolerant and most of all notice and reward yourself for getting it right.
That's a good and healthy starting point. The rest will follow in its own order and of its own volition because you're creating the space for it to exist. Can you see how lightly and gently this can be worked into your everyday life?
Now don't forget to keep that diary upto date. Just write it all down as it come out. There's no right or wrong way to do that.
You do not have to answer this: May I ask who it was that diagnosed your anxiety disorder? Not their name, just their position relative to your own. What qualified them to diagnose an anxiety disorder and what did they suggest you do about it?
TerryTibbs wrote:Was incredibly nervous before I set off but once I got going I was fine, kept telling myself I have the ability and knowledge to follow signs and markings to anticipate what's ahead, if I go the wrong way I'll just find a side road or a roundabout and turn back around, no problem. Not as if my SatNav hasn't gotten me lost in the past anyway
...
Think a motorway journey without the aid of Google Maps or Sat Nav is on the cards soon, which I can't see being more difficult than a more local journey as following motorway signs is pretty straight-forward but it's again just proving something to myself.
Appreciate your input trashbat, been incredibly helpful
Horse wrote:TerryTibbs wrote: Whenever I'm using my Sat Nav to guide me or road signs (i.e. I'm in unfamiliar areas) I tend not to drive so well.
I like maps - but (reluctantly) will accept the benefits of SN.
However, I found that the voice prompts went in one ear and promptly out the other. So now I parrot them back, out aloud. I try to match the instruction against what I can see, check for junction layout and signs etc.
However, as advised, get that map 'plan' in your head first, then only use the SN for very local, junction specific, advice.
petes wrote:Horse wrote:I like maps - but (reluctantly) will accept the benefits of SN.
techniphobe
petes wrote:the resident
petes wrote:If you recognise benefits, why be reluctant to accept it?
petes wrote:Horse wrote:However . . .
I'm shocked and surprised that the resident [insert whatever word . . . ]
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