Topic : Fears, Phobias and Anxiety Disorders

I have severe anxiety especially when driving and have panic attacks. My driving has become very constricted due to this and my destinations have become more limited. I have a really hard time with highway driving. I have tried to desensitize myself by slowly increasing my amt. of highway driving, deep breathing, listening to the radio, leaving the windows down, keeping a cold drink and praying. None of this has helped and it has only gotten worse over the years. I am already in therapy, does anyone have any other suggestions.

Thanks.

Hi

I can not believe that I am posting this.  I am in a very frustrating place in my life.  I suffer from anixiety because I have IBS.  I have been trying to find a job that I can work at and not be looked at as a freak when I have one of my spells with my stomach.  I have the disorder for 19 years.  I had it cleared for awhile.  I have a lot of devasting blows in my life over the last 6 years.  I had lost my grandfather in 2001. Then lost my mother eighteen months in 2003. then my dad in 2006.  took care of him for 2 years before his death. then this past august I lost my grandmother.  I have alot of fear and anxiety when I go out.  Plus I have been thru alot of different jobs over the past 2 years.  Not to mention a divorce in 2006.  Also was a stay at home mom for 15 years.  Been out of work since February.  Can not find any job to get that I would feel comfortable doing. And not to feel out of place or a freak.  I have been trying to get into the medical office field.  but never can work long enough to pay to get a certification.  I am not eligible for a student loan.  This has been my dream for about 5 years. I have seen my mother struggle all her life.  Die unhappy about the way her life went. I seem to be heading down that same path.  I want so bad to change my life.  I have tried and tried.  I was very depressed for a very long time also. I feel that I am not depressed anymore.  Just the aniexty about going to new places and find a job.  You know it is rough when you feel useless and nobody wants to hire you.  How do I find the dreams I want and get the career that I want.  I feel under qualified for most jobs.  My confidence is very low about myself.  My concentration level is really bad too.  I can not even do a cashier job because of the anixity and ibs issues.  I would appreciate any opions that some of you might have.  I just want a normal and productive life.  And to stop hiding from the world.  Thank You for listening..

Hello Dr. Phil I have a big fear of driving and just being in a car I'm 20 and have nervier have drove a car be for and when i ride with people I'm always on the edge of my seat I have been in four wreaks two was in 05 one was in 06 and then  in 07 the one in 07 was very scary for me a was in the hospital for 5 days. So Dr.Phil i wish you can help me.

I am a mother of 2 boys 21 and 19 years old. My youngest son is mentally disabled and has anxiety. This poor child is afraid of everything. About 2 months ago i took him yet to another physciatrist and he thinks that my child may also have Autism. As if things couldnt be any worse. My son is very happy all the time, but so mis understood, he looks very normal until he starts to talk then people look at him somewhat confused. High school was a night mare for me and for him as well, kids were very cruel to him girls and boys the only ones that were not cruel are the kids who grew up with. I took him out of school because it was way to stressful for him and me as well. But now the poor child is at home allday with no one to talk to or hang out with and i feel really sorry for him and dont know what to do for him. He would really like to work or go to school but this anxiety is keeping him from graduating and going on with his life.

This is just a short version of my childs life i am just trying to fit 19 years of this childs life into this small message board.  DR.PHIL CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME AND MY CHILD IN ANYWAY???

Im 18 years of age and ever since I was a child everybody thought I was quiet and shy. I've realized now that i've gotten older I have very bad anxiety. Its soo bad that when I am with people I know or out with my boyfriend and everybody else is talking and haveing a good time im just sitting there basicly not saying anything. I worry a lot about things, people talking about me, If people are gunna like me, what IF? I say something stupid. I dont make friends easily, im quit withdrawn and dont know anybody at my school what so ever. I've been with my boyfriend for over a year and a lot of times I have a hard time trying to come up with a conversation. I guess im just sick of beeing "the odd ball" and I do want to be social and be, maybe not the life of the party but I do want to be talkative and you know.. be normal. But the thoughts I get in my head or just the feelings from the anxiety just seem to overpower my logic.

HELP!