Fear of Driving Alone

Hey all. I'm currently seeing a client, 50 year old biracial (African-American/Caucasian) woman, divorced since '01, lives with her daughter. Medical history is remarkable for 2 heart attacks in the last two years. Client is currently on Celexa for depression and Plavix for her heart. Client describes "being an outcast most of my life since I was 'mixed' (racially)" and "not having many happy memories." Client describes her family and community as "unsupportive, not caring, especially since [her mother died and she and her husband split up] several years ago."

Client's long-term goal is "to be self-sufficient again, financially and otherwise, like I was before the heart attacks. I don't like having to rely on other people for money or a place to live." Client is in the throes of ambivalence about whether to "get a job or apply for disability." Client is able to generate a thorough list of pros and cons for either argument. Client has specified a desire to "help out the elderly" as a possible job regardless of whether or not she pursues disability.

Client's current goal is "to be able to drive wherever I need to go by myself." Client has a history of panic attacks x 1.5 years while driving by herself.

Client identifies the precipitating event of the driving problems as "my second heart attack... I had no idea it was coming on and then all of the sudden, bam. There was no warning and I didn't even feel like I was stressed." Client also relates a story of driving with her daughter, being sideswiped by a group of teenagers, and the teens then "tried to drive away... I followed them and parked behind them in a fast food parking lot while my daughter went in to call the police. I don't know what I'd have done if I would have been alone."

Client's two anxiety generating questions and answers about driving alone are: "What if I have a heart attack happens while I'm driving and there is no one there to help me? I didn't have any warning that the last heart attack was coming on." and "What if something happens like the incident with the teenagers and I'm alone? I won't be able to do anything about it."

Client relates "what makes it possible to drive with others in the car, even if it is stressful, is deep breathing... thinking about just getting through it... knowing there is someone right there... and feeling good that I'm helping someone else out if I am driving them somewhere."

Thoughts on how to proceed? Questions that you want or need answered?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Jim Stephens

Replies:

Re:Fear of Driving Alone, by Joop Meijers, 05/14/04 Re:Fear of Driving Alone, by Jim Stephens, 05/16/04

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