Hello everyone, I've conquered most of my panic attacks dealing with public places and being around others, but I just can't seem to deal with them when I'm driving. I've had them while driving for about a year and a half now, and I can't seem to shake it. It's off and on, but for the last couple of months since the beginning of the year it's been getting progressively worse and I can only seem to drive about a quarter of a mile without having an awful attack. I was wondering if anyone was experiencing panic attacks while driving also and could give some tips, or just have a discussion.
Have a great day and stay positive!
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delorr
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I did a few times, my most recent bad experience was almost being hit by a train because there are some tracks where I live that don't have the blockers on them, and during one of my attacks while driving for some reason my hearing kind of gets lower, and I didn't see the train till it was about 15 feet away from me and I had to throw my car into reverse and back up.
I had attacks while driving for years and then I had a bad wreck where I was stuck in the car and it was on fire three years ago. I realized that I couldn't control it from happening no matter what and I was better once I came to terms with death. I released the fear somehow. It's wasted time worrying when it happened anyway. Actually it made me stronger in the end. Just try to live like it's your last day. As a medic I realize that it could be and I have to come to come to terms with that. God will take me when it's time and it will be beautiful!
I too have had some bad experiences, I'm sorry to hear that but at least you're super positive about it! My most recent one was I almost got hit by a train, the tracks that I came up to didn't have the blockers on them and I was already having a panic attack before I even pulled up to the stop sign at the tracks. For some reason my hearing goes down when I have a panic attack, so I didn't see the train before it was about 15 feet away from me and my bumper was on the tracks. So I had to throw it in reverse and back up before it could've pulled me under or just totally smashed into me. I'm thankful I realized it when I did, but overall a very scary experience.
Wow, that is scary. You did good. I stop now and look both ways because I don't trust the blocks anymore. I also don't trust the street lights and wait til someone else goes so I know it's right.
I think your right that coming to terms with and not fearing death so much is very helpful for some sorts of anxiety. I have anxiety issues, but completely overcame any sort of health anxiety. I had a couple of serious health events that I overcame, and I know when another presents itself I'll be ok with it. Now if I could get past other anxiety I would be great, but I'm working on it. I'm trying more and more to accept my anxiety rather than always fight it and it seems to be helping at least some. Buwt i have a very high stress job that makes it tough.
You are doing good!! I have a high stress job too, in surgery all day. I love it so it helps. I hope you find joy in your work too. I'm proud of you. 😊
My biggest symptom is the numbness, my whole body starts going numb and I have to do deep muscle relaxation to stop it. I also have a racing heart, motion sickness, dizziness, and in some cases paranoia when I'm in public sometimes. It all depends on the attack, I never know if it's going to be a little one or an awful one.
I have the same problem. I do the same thing I do any other time panic hits - relax my muscles, float, accept the feeling rather than struggling with it or trying to make it go away, and let the time pass until I get where I'm going. I remind myself that it is not something that is happening to me...it is something that I am doing to myself. And that it's just an uncomfortable feeling, and nothing more than that.
It's especially hard while driving, for sure, but every time we deal with anxiety by facing it, accepting it and floating through it, we recover a bit more. And so I think of each time driving as a chance to move that much more toward recovery. And I'm gradually teaching my mind that it does not need to fear driving. In fact, it's not driving that we're afraid of, it's the feeling of fear itself that we're afraid of (fear of fear).
Relax your muscles, take a deep, slow breath, accept the uncomfortable feeling and float through it, allow it to be there and don't try to make it go away, and know that every time you do this is another step toward recovery.
Well done for getting on top of most of the panic attacks. That can't have been easy. Why don't you try getting in the car and driving to the end of the road and parking up. Wait and see if a panic attack happens anyway, whether you are driving or just in the car. Perhaps you're associating the car with a panic attack now. If no panic attack happens - drive a bit further. Do they happen when you are driving away from home only - or back to home as well? Deep breaths, music on and sing up - to take you mind off things!
It happens when I'm driving away and coming back, I've been driving to the top of the road but I just can't seem to get past the stop sign because I get super anxious and panicky when I try to move past the stop sign. But thank you for the kind words and tips they really do help. I'll try to take my mind off of it more often.
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