Anxiety as passenger in vehicle?

[celibelly]

This may be a real shot in the dark but it’s worth a try.
I’ve got somewhat of a weird situation going on, and I’m hoping someone may read this and have some insight or even tips/tricks.

I’ve had a terrible relationship with riding in vehicles since I was child. We’re taking still in a car seat somewhere around 3 y/o when this started. My family, and myself (now that I’m 20+) always have just believed it’s a motion sickness problem. I get seriously car sick riding as a passenger in vehicles. Even driving in a perfectly straight line for as little as five miles makes me nauseous. Crazy… I know! & because it’s gone on since childhood I’ve learned to sort of manage it. Now that I’m much older I know my limits and do my best.

While riding as a passenger in either the shotgun seat or back seat I experience some weird symptoms? I’m not sure if their symptoms so much as feelings but you get the drift:

I can’t wear seat belts, they make me feel restricted, honestly it’s an anxious feeling. When I do wear a seat belt the feeling across my chest and against my neck is constantly on my mind. I just think “I don’t like this, it’s tight, I’m uncomfortable, I can’t breathe” and it truly drives me nuts. So I usually chose to not wear one (yes I know how terrible that seems...)

I’ve found that my nausea increase dramatically when there’s no air circulating through the vehicle. Even in the midst of winter I need air in the car. When riding in the backseat of a vehicle if I can’t feel the air-conditioned I have to have the window down. As crazy as it seems I feel like I can’t breathe adequately in a hot or closed off car. I’ve even found myself rudely interrupting other’s conversations to practically yell out “roll down the window, I need you to roll down the window”. Which makes things quite awkward.

Kind of in the same category is my sickness when sitting in a stationary/turned off car. For instance, traveling with family to visit the mall or go out to dinner and I’m caught riding in the back seat. This is when I experience the highest feelings of nausea and over all “weirdness”. Because when we get to the location I can’t get out of the vehicle fast enough, no joke. As soon as the engine turns off my mind is looking for the fasted exit route. When people take their time exiting the vehicle or decide “let’s just wait in here until the others arrive.” I start feeling very sick and kind of panicked. It gives me a trapped feeling.

It almost all boils down to a trapped feeling. But it’s all accompanied by the worst nausea. When I start feeling sick, I really have a one track mind. I focus on the feelings to harshly that I’m sure it makes it worse. And I find myself really panicked and uncomfortable with the people around me.  Sometimes the nausea goes away when I’m away from the situation for a while, but more times than none I end up throwing up. You can see why I’ve always kind of just attributed it all to motion sickness.

Lately though, it’s become increasingly bad, I’m having to ask the driver to pull over so I can throw up and gather myself even on short trips. And because it’s so inconvenient I’ve really started looking into ways to kind of fix the situation. The more I’ve looked into it and talked with other’s I’ve started to consider the possibility that this could be some sort of claustrophobia or even anxiety? I’m not sure, and I’ve never heard of anything like this in anyone else so I feel silly for asking. Does anyone have any input? If it is just a motion sickness issue what are some quick remedies for the ongoing issue? I do avoid riding in vehicles as much as possible. But let’s be real here, that’s impossible! If anyone else has had any experience like this and it does go further than just motion sickness what have you done to help? This is driving me crazy! So feel free to add in your 2 cents. Thanks -Cel

[BluCrystal]

Hi!  I have GAD (general anxiety disorder), among a few other things, including claustrophobia and fear of crowds.  In the car, I must have the front seat, so I can see out and forward.  I keep a cold, wet washcloth in a baggie, and when I start feeling 'yucky', taking it out to wipe my face helps ALOT.  Breathing THROUGH the wet cloth helps with nausea.  Have you tried Dramamine?  Google that.  If you take other meds, you might not be able to take dramamine.  Another tip: wear a wet dew-rag on your head.

[FeralFeline]

You're not alone!!! I've been getting car sick since the day I came home from the hospital (when I was born)! The back seat is the worst place to be in for people like us. You definitely have severe motion sickness along with claustrophobia. Personally, I always have to have some fresh air. I usually crack the window & put my hand out. Closing my eyes helps, but I have to focus on something other than how I'm feeling. I usually say a prayer (like the Our Father) over & over again, a list or anything to keep me distracted from how I'm feeling. Amazingly, in some vehicles I can get car sick from driving. The best thing that helps is taking Dramamine before I go with anyone. I keep a bottle in my purse in case an unexpected trip comes up.

I'm also extremely claustrophobic. That panic you're feeling is definitely a symptom of claustrophobia! You really should make an appt with your PCP. He/she can prescribe you something for the panic attacks. The attacks could be because of the stress you feel knowing that you're going to be car sick. Most anti anxiety meds can make you feel sleepy, so be careful.

Well, I hope this helps! You're definitely not alone!