Phobia help

alared

Michelefauk

I`m certainly no expert but from what I know of a similar experience to yours,you need to learn how to relax and control your breathing through the audio tape I posted about earlier.
When you have mastered that,(it may take weeks/months),you need then to gradually confront your fear and desensitise it.

This link is a video of someone actually driving over the Severn bridge and may well help if you watch it.
Please don`t watch it if you feel you can`t, just yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G01ZxloKPQE

Others might post more advice and tips on here to help you.
Doctors are sympathetic but can`t really cure you,you have to do that yourself.
I`ve heard good reports in favour of CBT/hypnosis but of course it takes time and money and doesn`t guarantee you`ll be cured.
There`s no easy way out except determination to do it.

LameWolf

alared wrote: »

You`re not alone,everyone`s got a fear of something,

So true. My phobia is people! I manage OK on forums like this, because it's just me sat here at my computer, and anyway none of you know who I "really" am.

But any form of direct interaction with others has to be done by Mr LW as I just can't hack it. And it's getting worse as time goes by.

Also, the nature of the phobia precludes getting help, as I'm too bloomin' scared of the people I'd have to ask for the help (if that sentence actually makes sense).

Primrose

I feel for you. I have a similar phobia about flying and driving on those dreadful scenic coastal roads on the edge of Italian clifftops where you're only inches away from the edge. You will undoubtedly find that all kinds of different people have different phobias, all of which are very real to them, even if they seem idiotic to other people. A course of Cognitive Behaviourial therapy might help you. If you Google this, you may be able to find out more about it, or your local library should be able to get a book on it for you. It may help you break down your fear and analyse it and hopefully in doing so, give you the confidence to take one step at a time to overcoming it.

thriftlady_2

squirrelchops wrote: »

I fully appreciate how you feel. We were in France a few days ago and I decided to have a go at the driving so iwasn't scared of driving abroad and it is useful in case of an emergency.

Anyway, on the autoroute the speed slowd to 90kph and ti went to 1 lane. I wondered why and realised when i saw the word 'viaduct' leap out at me.
.

It wasn't the Pont de Normandie was it? Flaming heck that scared the life out of me a couple of weeks ago and I wasn't even driving! What is it with the French and their scary bridges?

I'm sorry Michele I have no useful advice except to say I can sympathise. I don't like going over bridges one little bit:(

Primrose

I've just watched that clip of a man driving across the Severn bridge. According to the video that journey took about three and a half minutes. I don't know what speed he was doing, but if you could bring yourself to watch it and remind yourself that it is a very short stretch of time and soon over, I wonder whether that would help at all.

michelefauk

Thank you all, we should start our own self-help group!
I can watch that video with no problems, cos I know it isnt real if that makes sense, I know it isnt me out there.
A friend has given me a relaxation cd from a guy called SteveG Jones, which is supposed to work, am going to try it tonight, apparently you have to listen to it for 3 weeks, then will see a difference. Am not convinced but will try anything. Am also going to see GP next week.
Thanks again for all the replies, much appreciated

squirrelchops

Hi thriftlady.....
No it was the le Risle viaduct and the Le Bec viaduct...the former being the higher.
I have sinced googled them!

What would really make me poo my pants would be that millau viaduct...worlds highest one and again in France. I shall make a note of the road number and ensure we NEVER go that route!!!

thriftlady_2

squirrelchops wrote: »

What would really make me poo my pants would be that millau viaduct...worlds highest one and again in France. I shall make a note of the road number and ensure we NEVER go that route!!!

Oh yes, that's on my list of roads to avoid too, trouble is the OH loves them, thinks they are 'marvellous feats of engineering' (which they are of course). I think you appreciate their structure from the ground don't you?

do satnavs have a 'route avoiding scary bridges' option?

alared

Primrose wrote: »

I've just watched that clip of a man driving across the Severn bridge. According to the video that journey took about three and a half minutes. I don't know what speed he was doing, but if you could bring yourself to watch it and remind yourself that it is a very short stretch of time and soon over, I wonder whether that would help at all.

I haven`t driven over that particular bridge but it seems by looking at the video you are well "enclosed" by firstly the crash barrier and then another "white fence/railings like,high barrier" and on the other side there may be another track for cyclists/pedestrians.
So i would imagine there isn`t much of a view over the river in a car.(correct me if wrong)
If maybe you could get yourself behind a large truck and basically follow it and concentrate on the rear of the truck,taking your mind off your main concern.(the mind can`t think of two things at once)
Just a thought,easier said than done of course.

alared

michelefauk wrote: »

Thank you all, we should start our own self-help group!
I can watch that video with no problems, cos I know it isnt real if that makes sense, I know it isnt me out there.
A friend has given me a relaxation cd from a guy called SteveG Jones, which is supposed to work, am going to try it tonight, apparently you have to listen to it for 3 weeks, then will see a difference. Am not convinced but will try anything. Am also going to see GP next week.
Thanks again for all the replies, much appreciated

I have heard of this guy,american I think, and he does have a website where he sells these self help CD`s which are basically the same (relaxation technique) and cover all types of phobias, and from what I can remember are about 79/125 us dollars depending on download or an actual CD.
Give a go

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it`s cost you nowt.