Sudden Fear Of Overpasses And Bridges
So I've been driving in a huge city since I was around 17 or 18. I'm 35 now and in the last year or so I've suddenly become anxious when driving on overpasses on the freeway and also over bridges. With the overpasses, it's when they incline and curve. I suddenly get hot, my palms get clamy and my heart rate skyrockets. It gets hard to breathe and I just see my car careening over the edge somehow. I have to sing, or talk to myself, or just repeat "drive, drive drive," over and until I'm past the curve and the road levels out again. When it's over I deflate like balloon and I'm wiped out. The same with crossing a long bridge.
If I'm a passenger I have to close my eyes, look at my phone, or keep talking through it otherwise the anxiety spikes. I can't even explain what triggered it but it's an issue. The last few nights I've thought about driving on the freeway and I could feel the panic bubbling up as if I were actually driving. Any tips, tricks or anything that can help?? I can’t not drive or end up crashing due to an anxiety attack. Therapy is my next step if I can't work through this on my own.