Yeah I know what you mean. I'm fine on quieter roads too.

The symptoms for me are more anxiety attacks. The second I get into traffic I can feel the anxiety ramping up. Which is very strange for me. I'm typically a confident driver. I'm not exactly sure if the concussion has changed something to make me feel anxious, or if I'm anxious about worrying about the anxiety. Its really hard to know. I have read anxiety is a common symptom of this.

Unfortunately I was planning driving home for Christmas, which is about 4 hours away by car. I think i'll have to scrap that plan. That will go down well.

Hi newbie,
I'm sorry you're dealing with all this. I would really suggest you try to get a handle on the anxiety if it's this bad at such an early stage. The problem with anxiety/panic attacks is that once they become entrenched it can become extremely difficult to stop them. I went through this many years ago especially with driving. Unfortunately it became almost impossible for me to leave the house for quite a long time. It was disabling.

Please talk to your doctor or another professional who understands anxiety as it is associated with PCS so that you can overcome this as early as possible. I make it sound easy, and believe me, I know it's not, it's just that I worry so much when I read posts such as yours where the anxiety is already changing your day to day life in such a way.

I truly hope that you are feeling a lot better when it comes time for your trip home for Christmas.

Was your anxiety following head trauma Lara?

I'm not sure if this is a concussion issue or its just anxiety from all the 'stress' surrounding this concussion. I was actually driving fine for a few weeks following it. But you are right, once it sets in its really hard to break. Even walking towards a car makes me anxious.

I actually race Go Karts on a semi professional level and I'm really not an anxious person generally. I now understand how crippling it can be, you just can't control it.

I think I had kind of reached the end of the road with the doctor I had seen, she was excellent but there is only a limit on what they can do. I was hoping this would all just kind of clear itself up, as I am only 1 month out after all. But it seems the anxiety may be the real sting in the tail. I recently moved to Brisbane and I'm in a pretty dense urban environment so I know what you say about it feeling like you're stranded. I highly doubt I'd have much issues on the open country roads.

I've dealt with anxiety at different times in my life but I became much worse after a bad fall and subsequent concussion. That was a number of years ago now but it really hit me like a ton of bricks. Sitting at the lights was the worst for me. I don't know why really. Maybe it's the feeling of being trapped and of course, once you've experienced that first panic attack there's the fear of another happening when in a vunerable situation. That is the problem with them because they become somewhat self-perpetuating.

I can drive almost anywhere now. I just shared a 2000K drive just under a month ago. I've even driven the M1 a lot the past couple of years because someone depended on my doing that.

Learning about the physical signs of the fight or flight response/hyperarousal helped me a lot because understanding exactly how my own body was dealing with stressful situations demystified the whole process and, rather than just being thrown into chaos at random moments, I was able to work more on not allowing myself to get to that level of anxiety by being aware of cues that my body was sending in advance.

You'll be alright. Just take care of yourself right now, as you're still in the early weeks of recovery really. Try to keep living your life, even if it's at a much slower pace for a little while.

I'm glad I'm not driving that Brissie traffic anymore. I need a quiet life. ;)

Thats the exact same way it came about for me. Stuck in dense city traffic at a traffic light. I think it stems from the inability to 'escape'. On most roadways and freeways you can just pull over, but there you are stuck in traffic.

I've just given driving a rest for a week, because its not actually essential I drive for work, I can just catch a short bus trip. I'll take it up again in a few days time, likely this weekend. Hopefully whatever is wrong has passed by then, although I'm not so certain. I watched a few videos on youtube about panic and driving and they were honestly rather helpful.

Thanks a lot for your help :)

Thank you I appreciate the time you took to share. I printed your vitamin regime. Yikes! I guess good to know so I don't push. I went out for a little walk today. Listened to a pod cast. I think too much listening and looking. head achy.
not too bad though. I will not worry about the naps and my sleeping schedule. Whoever mentioned the cracker and cheese I tried it. It took me about a half hour to fall asleep but I slept through. Nice to know you are out there Mark and everyone else. Your support is a comfort and helps. Thanks.

I thought I responded. Thank you so much. I am grateful for your responses and the many responses I have read that you have posted. 6 weeks Yikes! then I read within 6 weeks. Hope. Patience.Learning. Listening to my symptoms. Faith. You're right overstimulation sets off the headaches and paranoia/fears. I haven't ventured out again except to go outside for a little bit in front of the house. yesterday. My husband is going to get me some Macks. Again, comforting to read your responses. Grateful.