"call of the void" phenomenon/sudden fear of driving over bridges - how do you talk yourself down?

[Anonymous]

Same. Postpartum walking in rose park I would see myself tumbling with the stroller down to RCP.
I really started freaking out driving the bay bridge with kids in car seats. After that girl went over the edge and saved herself I obsessed over how I could possibly save my babies. This is nuts but I got life jackets and stuck them in the car.

[Anonymous]

I get this on bridges and winding roads. I am a little afraid if I dwell on it to long I'll jerk the wheel "just to see what happens," so I mentally shake myself by the shlulders and remind myself I have a choice and my choice is to drive safely. It doesn't freak me out that much.

[Anonymous]

I’m afraid of heights. Sometimes when I’m somewhere high like looking over the edge of a cliff on a hike, I have a weird urge to throw myself off. It’s more of a visceral urge than a conscious thought because I know I would never do it. Yet, nonetheless I get flooded with fear.

[Anonymous]

I have this with high heights. And sometimes driving. All the things that are unnatural for the human body and mind to be doing. Maybe it happens because we cognitively override our body’s self-protecting fear/anxiety when we do these unnatural things but the fear comes out anyway in this other way.

[Anonymous]

It’s interesting...my sister seems like the only person in my family without anxiety and yet I remember her telling me years ago she didn’t like climbing trees or high rocks etc because she always had the feeling of “what would it feel like if I jumped out?” And my cousin said “me too!!” They are both very athletic and adventurous so I thought maybe that was part of it. I didn’t relate to that feeling though I have plenty of my own phobias.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are most of the posters replying in here women?

Because this happens to me too and not my DH.

I wonder if it is more common for women and why that would be?

I noticed mine when I first had kids. I truly think it’s some kind of maladaptive thing so moms can always picture worst case scenarios to protect their young.

[Anonymous]

I have experienced the bridge anxiety when I've been under high stress. You should consider it a warning that your stress level is toxic and try to manage it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are most of the posters replying in here women?

Because this happens to me too and not my DH.

I wonder if it is more common for women and why that would be?

I noticed mine when I first had kids. I truly think it’s some kind of maladaptive thing so moms can always picture worst case scenarios to protect their young.

Yeah the first few times I ventured out with my first child in the car I was really nervous. Then when I had my second, I was really nervous with both in the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are most of the posters replying in here women?

Because this happens to me too and not my DH.

I wonder if it is more common for women and why that would be?

I noticed mine when I first had kids. I truly think it’s some kind of maladaptive thing so moms can always picture worst case scenarios to protect their young.

Yeah the first few times I ventured out with my first child in the car I was really nervous. Then when I had my second, I was really nervous with both in the car.

I noticed it t more after becoming a mom. I always have to chant in my head crossing the Bat Bridge, but there were times that even Key set he off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are most of the posters replying in here women?

Because this happens to me too and not my DH.

I wonder if it is more common for women and why that would be?

I noticed mine when I first had kids. I truly think it’s some kind of maladaptive thing so moms can always picture worst case scenarios to protect their young.

Yeah the first few times I ventured out with my first child in the car I was really nervous. Then when I had my second, I was really nervous with both in the car.

I noticed it t more after becoming a mom. I always have to chant in my head crossing the Bat Bridge, but there were times that even Key set he off.

I too would be scare about crossing the Bat Bridge! LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are most of the posters replying in here women?

Because this happens to me too and not my DH.

I wonder if it is more common for women and why that would be?

I noticed mine when I first had kids. I truly think it’s some kind of maladaptive thing so moms can always picture worst case scenarios to protect their young.

Yeah the first few times I ventured out with my first child in the car I was really nervous. Then when I had my second, I was really nervous with both in the car.

I noticed it t more after becoming a mom. I always have to chant in my head crossing the Bat Bridge, but there were times that even Key set he off.

I too would be scare about crossing the Bat Bridge! LOL!

OMG! That would make it even worse!

[Anonymous]

I have a fear or heights and driving across bridges is really hard for me. I have had to drive across the Bay Bridge 9 times in the past 2 months for work and it has gotten a bit easier each time. The things I have done to make it across are:
-listen to an audio book so I have something to focus my distracted mind on
-follow a truck. I pull over before the bridge and time my reentry to the road so that I am behind a large truck. Then I focus my driving on staying a safe distance behind the truck and not looking out at the wide expanse of the view

On one trip I had a passenger and that worked too because I could talk to her. On another trip and I was the passenger. This turned out to be worse because then I had no control and my thoughts switched to "what if he just drives off the side of the bridge?"

Crossing the bridge multiple times really has been the best thing to make it easier.

[Anonymous]

Baby DS always used to say he was afraid to drive over bridges. He didn't seem terrified, and always said it a calm voice like he was possessed. Lol

Took him for a walk over the Brookly Bridge. He was distracted by the famous ice cream shop at the other end. He was fine walking.

He's been driving for less than year, so no bridges yet. Wonder how that will go. He did drive through the Lincoln Tunnel in December. Doesn't appear to have an issue with tunnels. I should probably do a bridge drive with him.

I have significant Trypophobia. Even when I make pancakes!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are most of the posters replying in here women?

Because this happens to me too and not my DH.

I wonder if it is more common for women and why that would be?

I noticed mine when I first had kids. I truly think it’s some kind of maladaptive thing so moms can always picture worst case scenarios to protect their young.

There might be something to this. I've had it as long as I can remember so it doesn't bother me that much but I'm way more aware with kids.

Driving in the tunnel under Baltimore Harbor freaks me out in a different way, the "things I can't control that would lead to a horrible death" way, so i just count down until we're out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get this on bridges and winding roads. I am a little afraid if I dwell on it to long I'll jerk the wheel "just to see what happens," so I mentally shake myself by the shlulders and remind myself I have a choice and my choice is to drive safely. It doesn't freak me out that much.

This is OP - and I feel like this is how I would LIKE to approach this feeling. Just, like, hey man - this is up to you, quit it. But the feeling is really hard to shake, and really effing unnerving. I think I need to get through the drive enough times that it doesn't feel like a big deal anymore. Should be fun. (ughh)