Day 5--The Anxiety Conundrum

Today I found myself getting really upset with other drivers. First one was this morning, then a couple of times later. The first time I noted in my brain that I needed to do better. The second time I reenforced the thought. When it happened again I felt frustrated with myself. I get upset with drivers here and there, but that many in one day?? Why?

Thinking about it I put the pieces together. When I have anxiety, every little thing other drivers do causes me more anxiety and this causes me to get frustrated. When I'm frustrated, I feel a lot if anxiety. It's a vicious cycle.

Today's initial anxiety started on Monday as I started prepping for my math test. I haven't taken math since high school. It's been almost seven years. There's a lot of simple stuff I don't remember. Because I tend to slip into a depression cycle about this time, I'm even more nervous. Then I woke up late and had to rush off to school. So as I drove I had a lot of anxiety. To make matters worse there was a driver on the road who wasn't driving the safest and it gave me even more anxiety.

While I love driving, it is something that often sparks anxiety for me. Having been in 2 car accidents in the last 3 years, neither of which which were my fault, drivers making dumb choices flips the anxiety switch. Add that to an already anxiety filled day, it's no wonder I was anxious and frustrated with drivers!!

Though my response is understandable, I need to find a solution. It doesn't help me to get upset at the other drivers and actually causes more anxiety. This is a lose/lose situation. Awareness will help, but it's not enough. Taking anxiety medicine every time I drive would reduce it, but most of the time I don't need it and honestly, it seems like a bad idea.

While still pushing forward with my goals, I'm also going to try and find solutions to my anxiety/frustration/negative things said about other drivers problem.