Yep, I don't see any way she stopped competing because she was just performing poorly. She wasn't there mentally, anxiety took over and she just couldn't do it.
As to your driving story, my mom has dealt with depression and anxiety her whole life and for 7-8 years she drove from CT. to North Jersey every week to see her sick father. One day she got to the Tappan Zee Bridge and couldn't cross it. For a long time after every week she drove a way longer route every week because she just couldn't go near the bridge. The mind is a strange thing.
It's good to talk about these things.