![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Aug. 31st, 2022
(no subject)
Aug. 31st, 2022 04:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
conulyDear Amy: I have been married to my husband for more than 30 years. Our relationship is loving, but challenging. I have always done most of the changing, adapting, and forgiving. Apologizing is not his forte, but he is a good, kindhearted man. We’re both professionally successful and supportive of each other. Our adult children all live nearby. We’re a close and loving family.
I’ve recently developed a condition called Amaxophobia – a specific phobia about riding in a vehicle. Symptoms include extreme anxiety, shortness of breath, nausea, and a racing heart. I have all of these symptoms – but only when I am a passenger in the car that my husband is driving. It does not affect me when I am the driver, or riding with other people.
My husband has always been a fast driver, speeding and tailgating other cars. In the last few years, I have had to hold onto the seat or side door and press my feet into the floor to feel safe, but recently, my anxiety has increased. The last time we rode together I was in tears: sweating, having difficulty breathing, teeth grinding, and terrified about having an accident.
We’ve had long discussions about this. He has agreed to drive more slowly, but doesn’t. I suggested that he drive locally, and I drive on highways. He is unwilling to make this change, so I’ve been going to the city (45 minutes away) with friends for the past several months – still agreeing to ride as a passenger with him when we’re in town.
He now blames me for ruining our future retirement. He's unwilling to go to therapy. I have no other anxiety or fear issues. Any suggestions I’m overlooking?
– Wife Looking for Answers
( Read more... )
I’ve recently developed a condition called Amaxophobia – a specific phobia about riding in a vehicle. Symptoms include extreme anxiety, shortness of breath, nausea, and a racing heart. I have all of these symptoms – but only when I am a passenger in the car that my husband is driving. It does not affect me when I am the driver, or riding with other people.
My husband has always been a fast driver, speeding and tailgating other cars. In the last few years, I have had to hold onto the seat or side door and press my feet into the floor to feel safe, but recently, my anxiety has increased. The last time we rode together I was in tears: sweating, having difficulty breathing, teeth grinding, and terrified about having an accident.
We’ve had long discussions about this. He has agreed to drive more slowly, but doesn’t. I suggested that he drive locally, and I drive on highways. He is unwilling to make this change, so I’ve been going to the city (45 minutes away) with friends for the past several months – still agreeing to ride as a passenger with him when we’re in town.
He now blames me for ruining our future retirement. He's unwilling to go to therapy. I have no other anxiety or fear issues. Any suggestions I’m overlooking?
– Wife Looking for Answers
( Read more... )