panic and driving - Panic Disorders Message Board

antares · 07-31-2003, 06:15 AM

I suffered first panic attack while driving four years ago, I was told by doctors I had virus infection in inner ear. Today still I feel panicky,anxious,dizzy, whenever I drive. Anyone with similar problems? And how to cope with this?

normorcrazy · 07-31-2003, 09:46 AM

I don't get anxious in the car, however, mine started one day at a restuarant. Now everytime I go out to eat I'm afraid it will happen again. Sometimes I stress so much I actually do bring one on. I don't know the exact terminology for this...but you can bring them on yourself by constant worrying and thinking. The only way I've been able to cope is to distract myself. I usually do this with conversation. If I'm just sitting there that's when my mind begins to wonder. Maybe you could try some good music to sing to or try reading signs as you drive. I don't know if it will work, but it's worth a try. Good luck and keep us posted.

kycntrygrl · 07-31-2003, 10:15 AM

Hi, I experienced most of my panic attacks while driving and for a long time,after being on meds and my panic attacks subsiding, I still had problems driving anywhere by myself. The further I got from home and my 'safe' place the more my chest would tighten and the faster my heart would race. It's been 5 years since my first panic attack and I do feel better with the meds I am taking but I do find myself in a panic sometimes when I am alone in my car. The thing I try to do is turn on the radio and just take in all that is around me and get my mind off the fact that I am alone. If I find I am starting to panic I tell myself that the very worse thing that would happen to me is that I would have a panic attack and even with that I would be okay (It would be awful but I would be okay). The more times you just get out and drive and do this the better you will cope by being alone in your car. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain

Good luck and God Bless

Silvana · 07-31-2003, 01:47 PM

antares~

When I first had panic attacks years back, the car was the worst place. I wont go into details because in the end a panic attack is a panic attack. Something I realized is that even though they occured, I made it through and I never gave up driving. I still have anxiety (not panic) when I drive, I'd say 65% of the time but it is getting better. Memory really plays a key role with this (actually with any avoidance behavior). I tell myself over and over that it isn't the car (restaurant, movie theater, store, etc..) it is what I am telling myself about the situation. So if I tell myself I will be anxious, I will. If I tell myself something positive like "I'll be okay, nothing is going to hurt me" and so on, it wont. All this takes time so give yourself permission to feel the anxiety, learn to float with it and it will pass. Distractions are wonderful also. Keep a bottle of water with you, count numbers by 2's, listen to music and sing along with it, listen to audio books in the car, whatever you can think of to help you along.

Silvana

hry33 · 07-31-2003, 02:50 PM

heres some info and advice
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