Anxiety/panic Attacks

Have u considered teaming? You would have to find someone you can live with... literally... but it might help

Short answer, definitely thought about it.

Long answer, I'm not realistically sure if it would be better or worse than my current situation. I may get lonely but I still like my space. Ehh, who knows though, it might not be that hard to figure out. After living with different people for a few years, I've really learned to just let personal stuff roll off my back, so that would probably be all right. The main thing would probably be that I would get even less exercise than I do now, more than likely. Exercise is important for anybody, but it's especially important for me as a diabetic. I know it's still possible but it's alot harder to do on a moving truck. And my main aerobic thing is running--I'd have to give that up for the most part.

But yeah, it would be nice in some ways to team. While sharing a truck with my trainer for several weeks was definitely rough, I really enjoyed the talks we had. It was really nice to get up an hour or two early and have somebody to talk to. I also got to enjoy the scenery more as a passenger.

Basically, it's been on my mind for sure, but I'm not entirely ready to make the leap. Oh, and I love my truck--call me crazy for loving my 2016 Freightliner, but she's my baby. If I stay solo, I plan on running with her until she will no longer run. If I teamed, I would give up my truck to go with someone driving a manual--not because I have to by any means, or because I think I need to be proficient on a manual to have better options down the road. I just want to drive a manual because I like it. It's not really all that logical, so don't even try to understand it.

Hey buddy i have been driving for 9 years and i did get anxiety. I believe it is caused by being away from family but it does get easier. I am a local flatbed driver now and making good money you just need to be strong and put your time in and get your experience up and drive local.

Hey guys, I've been solo driving out of training for about two months now with no major issues, but the last couple weeks I've started experiencing a ton of anxiety. I'm not worried about backing and driving in difficult conditions--I've been doing fine with those situations. I just have been finding it alot harder to think clearly and communicate effectively with people, and sometimes I just downright panic a little bit. Again, it's nothing that is negatively affecting my driving and causing me to be a danger to others out on the road, but I'm still definitely concerned about it.

I couldn't find any other info about this on the forum, so is this normal for a new driver? Is this just a temporary adjustment phase I'm going through or do I need some professional help?

Paul

Thanks Michael, I appreciate the kind words. Yep I'm really going to try to just get through this. I only have a few more months left before I reach my 6-month mark. As I tell my wife often, this is not permanent.

Oh and welcome to the forum by the way!!

Sorry for all the posts guys. I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to comment on this thread. I've never met any of you, but you all still feel like family to me. I love love love that I can come on here anytime and find helpful advice, support, and encouragement. This really is the friendliest trucker's forum anywhere and the best dang trucker's website on the internet.

Hey Paul. In the beginning we all feel like a fish out of water. Nothing can prepare a person for this. I experienced the same thing during my first several months. I truly believe that during that time it was so overwhelming and challenging that dealing with the solitude was that much more difficult. There were many days I wanted to pack it in.

Honestly what helped me was taking time each day to focus on anything that had nothing to do with trucking. During my 30 minute break I listened to Sirius radio comedy channels. At least for me laughter is great medicine for darn near everything. I still listen to some of my favorite music to help relax my mind before going to sleep. Video chatting with my kids when I can is helpful, also talk to my GF 3x per day.

I can't promise it will get any better. However for me as I became more proficient and confident with the job the loneliness, although still present, became easier to manage and is far less intense.

Now I have no experience as a truck driver as of yet but I might I have a Band-Aid fix for this. I am a gamer and I have a few set friends that I play with constantly online. There are games such as World of Warcraft on PC and Destiny on consoles that you can play with a whole lot of different people. We use a program called Discord for voice chat as well. Some people find it odd that you can make lifelong friends in these Virtual Worlds but these are new times. MMORPGs are like social media on steroids it could be great for social interaction.

Honestly what helped me was taking time each day to focus on anything that had nothing to do with trucking. During my 30 minute break I listened to Sirius radio comedy channels. At least for me laughter is great medicine for darn near everything. I still listen to some of my favorite music to help relax my mind before going to sleep. Video chatting with my kids when I can is helpful, also talk to my GF 3x per day.

Thanks, this is good advice for me as I can be a bit of a workaholic. Finding a couple good hobbies certainly wouldn't hurt!

Now I have no experience as a truck driver as of yet but I might I have a Band-Aid fix for this. I am a gamer and I have a few set friends that I play with constantly online. There are games such as World of Warcraft on PC and Destiny on consoles that you can play with a whole lot of different people. We use a program called Discord for voice chat as well. Some people find it odd that you can make lifelong friends in these Virtual Worlds but these are new times. MMORPGs are like social media on steroids it could be great for social interaction.

I like it! It's a little different approach but everyone has his own way of doing things. I've gamed a little over the past few years but can't really seem to get into it all that much, especially now. Then again, I've never really tried more social games like WOW. Who knows? Could be the perfect solution..