High Anxiety: Joy Purdy overcomes bridge fears

News4JAX anchor Joy Purdy overcomes her fear of bridges with the help of a local psychologist and a certain breathing technique.

[@ryanshane8836]

This should win an award. I really appreciate her for doing this. That bridge has scared me multiple times.

[@leeannthomas6052]

Thanks for being brave enough to share this! Lots of people have anxiety with bridges.

[@miguelreyna5066]

I think the fear in those kinds of bridges is not just the height but that there is no shoulders where you can pull over. That’s a big trigger for me

[@MadeInNewYork73]

I don't like to closed in AT ALL...even those concrete barriers in construction. Short..OK. BUT......long construction, can't do it. No exit

[@henrynegro8397]

@@MadeInNewYork73I hate construction zones. Especially where I live in Indiana where they like to surprise you with sudden lane changes with no signs.

[@henrynegro8397]

Don’t get me wrong, I respect why they repair roads. But please for gods sake put some signs on the road.

[@summertime_trolls]

it’s the shoulders for me too! i wish so basalt bridges had shoulders…

[@3BunniesandMe]

You are so brave to do this. This is me when I drive on bridges or big highways. I used to not care but as I get older the fear gets worse. I cry, breathe hard, and feel like I will pass out. I found that repeating a phrase over and over while I drive helps me take my mind off it.

[@cocoteeeie]

Same when I was younger it didn’t bother me but now it limits me so much and I hate it.

[@kathyb72]

Same here! It's so maddening. I never used to be scared of things like this.

[@mg9009]

Why the f.... did the government not build higher walls or fences on the sides of bridges and overpasses? Why so narrow too? Should be 3 lanes and big walls on either side. Thats what really freaks me out...knowing that if I crash or pass out from the fear of heights that I will die. I feel exposed...like there is no safety. It feels like you are all alone in the sky. Then seeing the freeway below the freeway below the freeway...IT FEELS SO UNREASONABLE.

[@mysticRev]

Wow, this is me 100%! Thank you for being brave enough to show your vulnerability to help others. 👍👍

[@DavidNordhausen]

Thank you for not being afraid of showing vulnerability!

[@BougieFeral]

Your vulnerability is still helping folks years later. Thank you.

[@ginadrew153]

I feel your pain. I hate having this anxiety. I love to travel but this is getting to be a major thing when planning a trip 😢

[@Junjo11]

Yes, this is like me. I have a fear of bridge. When I have to go offer it. I start having panick attack from few days before. This video will definitely help me to overcome.

[@sunilghanghas4062]

It helped?

[@ToOpen6seven]

Thank you for taking the time to do this!! I was like you, just the shear presence of the bridge would put me into a panic and for me, I took the next road to avoid it.

[@sooofunny37]

Thank you, Joy! If only my shrink was as good as yours. I decided this week to end my therapy sessions and just watch KZbin because they just take notes and offer this Veteran zero tips on how to improve my anxiety. This 2min + video helped me more than a year's worth of "therapy."

[@MackDaddyVic]

It’s so interesting to see this reporter going from super professional to very vulnerable and scared.

[@summertime_trolls]

i commend this woman for being vulnerable and showing her process. i have this exact experience living in the bay area. there is one bridge i avoid and will have that very same response.

[@tinyhouse9959]

Thank you so, so much for filming this event - your reaction is so similar to my very own. I cried with you!

[@patriciasawicki9774]

Thanks for sharing, I have a fear of some bridges too.

[@DRNKONWTR]

I feel so heard watching and listening to this. Thank you for making this a story. It's a big deal for a lot of us. I really would like to conquer this fear so that I can get around more.

[@user-uv9fz5rw4z]

I also suffer from this. I know exactly how she feels.

[@kenrutherford1109]

I feel sorry for Joy

[@eleanorsvenson2958]

She is so brave!!! So kind to share this common fear to help people and show you can overcome.

[@stacej8957]

I understand your anxiety it doesn't help either when you have idiots tailgating you rushing you across the bridge... Sometime what I did is I just listen to music if you know you're going across the bridge pick a good song that you can listen to and if you can do two things at once you make it.. don't follow the car in front of you too close... If the drivers respect the other drivers as they are driving, driving will be a good thing.

[@bumblebeetv355]

I use to cross that bridge every day for school. I remember the rails use to be there. I'm 47 now been in ATL since 94. But when I visit home I still hate crossing that bridge.

[@wildorchird]

This video was SO helpful!! Thanks 🙏

[@faa8882]

This anxiety seemed to have started 2yrs ago for me.

[@stephen78744]

Me too.

[@lili19743]

Yep thats me. Scared of heights. I don't cry. I break out in a cold sweat all over my body and hold my breath literally.

[@gerardkinsella6034]

The fear and panic is real 1000% cant do bridges multi story car parks multi story shopping malls hills mountains cliffs tall buildings open spaces escolaters anything higher than a first floor is a no go feel like passing out anytime near these even looking at them anxiety ruins your life

[@brandybird3954]

Same 😢

[@haulingfuel4759]

I’m more stressed about how bad the road is leading up to the bridge. Those big metal plates sticking out of the asphalt are real fun too. Great job major Curry!

[@smitastic7030]

I would check into therapy for yourself. You have negative, pessimistic and instigating tendencies. If you're not alone yet, you will be.

[@wildstreak]

Thank You!!

[@user-cf9np9cy8q]

If I had been that scared, I wouldn’t have been crying, I would’ve been blacking out or freezing

[@winniebarker]

That happened to me today same thing the cops was talking about me I rather call them panic cause a wreck I'm saving my life and saving others let them laugh

[@RileyCourter]

Great video.

[@Iamlightning333]

I’m working on it. This gives me hope

[@robbyjacks667]

You are not alone I drive for a living and when I hit bridges I have to slow down to 10-15 miles under the speed limit and worry I'm going to pass out almost every time

[@leeriffee4606]

There was only one bridge I was ever afraid to drive over, and that was back when I was a teen with limited driving experience. I feared and avoided the Francis Scott Key Bridge (how ironic!) in Baltimore because I had seen pictures of it on TV where it looked for all the world like the most terrifying roller coaster ever. I had a bad phobia of rollercoasters back then and this local news channel often showed the Key Bridge from an angle that made it look gut wrenchingly steep and tall. It wasn't so much that it WAS a bridge, but my fear of it was all about the apparent steepness. There was no way in hell I was going to try and drive over something like that.... The Key Bridge was easy to avoid (as were roller coasters) because I seldom had any reason to go to south Baltimore. That is, until one day I got lost (back in the days of paper maps) and went the wrong way on Rt 695...I got to the toll booth and thought I was going to go thru one of the tunnels, but boy was I in for a big surprise! Not only was I lost, it was a rainy winter day and that made me even more anxious. Suddenly on the horizon my nightmare appeared, and by then there was no exit (I can relate to the feeling of being trapped with no were to go but forward). I could have pulled off on the shoulder before the bridge, but still, there was no way to turn back. Instead, I punched the gas and gripped the wheel, determined to make it across that towering metal monster. And I did, breathing a sigh of relief that I had braved the Key Bridge. It was no where near as bad as they made it look on tv. As for the roller coasters, a few years later I was able to conquer that fear and since then I've become a huge fan of amusement parks and thrill rides.

[@deborahjackson3564]

I have the same problem

[@bluecollarbiker8005]

Try riding a motorcycle over it when the grade used to be on it and looking down at 50 mph the grade disappeared at that speed🤣

[@MadeInNewYork73]

Had this since 1978. I know the tricks but there's times the tools don't do it. 😢

[@77D777]

Everyone is hard in duval till you cross the Dames point in the rain 😂

[@movingtoportlandoregon]

Where is the link to the psychologist's video training for this you mention? I don't see the link. Great story and content!

[@xavierowens8032]

She is so powerful and strong and beautiful

[@xxTheCatsMeow]

I have a bridge phobia. I get vertigo, my knees feel weak, and I start panicking. If I have to cross a bridge while walking, I have to close my eyes and hold whoever im with so they can guide me, if I’m alone I simply won’t cross it. Can’t imagine driving over a bridge. I get an insane fight or flight response. But there’s no where to flight to, because you’re stuck on the bridge so once you’re on the bridge I feel stuck and there’s nowhere to escape to.

[@brookecomeaux8880]

Good for you! It's a major phobia for me.

[@ericgamble8728]

I’m having the same problem crossing the Walt Whitman bridge near philly thnx for the info

[@natep9997]

I'm the same. I will not cross the Walt Whitman at all. I'm from south jersey. I'll get off of 42 and take 130 north to the Tacony to go to Philly.

[@kjtrucker4553]

I move over in the left lane and it doesn't feel so bad because it doesn't seem as if your hanging on the edge

[@npwarr2651]

This is so cool, thanks for sharing the story. One thing that helps me is to try to move my brain into a kinetic channel where I rub my legs and focus on that sensation instead of going over the bridge in the Heights and everything I’m taking visuallly

[@jmjpmc]

GOOD FOR YOU.....🥳💃❤️

[@blakmomba7923]

Go on get over it!!! You got this 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@fye83]

I hope this can help me.

[@natep9997]

I have extreme panic. Severe racing thoughts and panic on bridges. I honestly don't know how you did it or continue to.

[@jmi4265]

I thought it was just me. I feel that for some reason I'm going to let go of the steering wheel even though I'm holding on to it so then my hands get very sweaty so I become more nervous thinking that now for sure I will not have control of the steering wheel. I am unable to breath and have to crank up the air con. It's just awful and upsetting.

[@thinthin54]

I have the same fear and the bridges I cross are not nearly as long or high.😧

[@tonymemory2279]

JOY, On June 13th 2012. I left the Jacksonville Jail and WALKED OVER THE MATHEWS BRIDGE AT NIGHT!!!!!!!! Yes i violated the no walking rule. but stayed on the edge the whole time. I was 30 years old. A little nervous!! Its was construction Material all over like they were painting it. but i didn't let that scare me. I Give The Most Hgh God ALL THE CREDIT!!

[@wendyj.3858]

This is how I feel just driving to the store.

[@rr7firefly]

Why was Doctor Pimentel laughing? I find that maddening.

[@ToOpen6seven]

I didn't like that either!!

[@user-cf9np9cy8q]

Me too

[@allboroughllcfilm]

I’m going through this right now 😢😢😢😢

[@xavierrose8208]

I just wanted to tell her “Girl I got you, it’s okay” poor thing was like me

[@douglasvitrano]

I'm 30 years old and I've never driven on a Highway or Interstate by my self in my life.

[@stephaniec7454]

i have avoided them for years now i drive on the highway everyday to work thanks to therapy. im still not a passenger

[@nazofarf5949]

I get anxiety after I become mother now I’m freaking to drive on high way or on bridges 😢😢😢😢

[@darrylsmith1471]

Some people fear crossing bridges because of the height of the bridge above the water and the tall cables and poles, they are there for your safety and to support the bridge not to frighten the driver, me personally, I am not afraid of the bridge itself, I am afraid of someone running into me on the bridge, your fear will go away once you start to drive over the bridge and reach the other side safely.

[@gabrielleabraham5773]

Yep that’s my fear even if I haven’t drove over a bridge yet by myself.

[@kenrutherford1109]

I see what you mean. I'm afraid to cross the Sunshine Skyway Bridge it's so high!

[@gerardkinsella6034]

In the same boat we’ll done 💪

[@GBooneoh]

haha i had the same thing. where im from our only bridge was 20 yards!

[@Xodeladelamore]

This the worst i get this now alot on the highway its so annoyyng

[@JB-fq9dp]

I drive to Sacramento weekly and avoid the Benicia-Martinez Bridge and take Hwy 5 /99 instead. 🤣

[@blakmomba7923]

Me going over the sky way 😂😂😂

[@mikegruber172]

That is me

[@March8_687]

It's not me though

[@user-cf9np9cy8q]

Then you do t need to watch it nor comment

[@jmeree]

This me

[@March8_687]

I am only scared of the bridge is called the misspie river me:💀💀💀💀

[@theodorehaskins3756]

So I’ve never heard of someone who actually drives a car having this type of anxiety about driving over a bridge. I am, however, happy to see that you have conquered this fear, and it’s clear from your heart rate, that this is no joke for someone who has experienced such an anxiety attack, particularly, when you have a situation where it almost cost you to crash into another vehicle. I mean that’s quite a traumatic experience for you have, particularly if it caused you to relive the experience over and over and over again. So at first I said, nah I don’t think this is real, she’s gotta be faking, as I’ve never heard anyone that had a fear or driving over a bridge, but being hooked up to that heart monitor proves that this isn’t fake, that it is real and having a panic attack situation isn’t something that anyone want to go through, and I certainly wouldn’t wish this on anyone, not even some of my worst enemies. So it’s hard for me to say that, because, like you said, about getting stressed out with your kids, but whatever your trigger is, this looks like a technique that anyone can use in the privacy of their own home to try to calm themselves, and realize that it’s really all in your head, and sometimes you gotta get out of your head so to speak, and this technique may help you you do just that, and hey, I mean, what do you have to lose?

[@kellyjones179]

All women?

[@user-cf9np9cy8q]

There are men with anxiety too we just don’t hear about them as often because I guess they are more embarrassed because it’s a huge giant thing for a man to admit in front of other men that he’s scared I understand

[@mikegruber172]

@@user-cf9np9cy8q I am scared

[@Chinoacosta]

Good acting 🎭

[@stopcensorship7365]

That wasn't acting. Exactly the same thing happens to me.

[@HollywoodFunds]

Lol people are scared of bridges really?? 😂😂

[@gregdouglas5405]

That's silly joy

[@dai4358]

fake LOL