Panic Attacks on Dual Carriageways/Motorways - Have to always drive alone

[fuji4129]

Hello, I can drive on country roads (so long as I am alone in the car) but I can't drive on roads with more than one carriageway as I start feeling dizzy and sweaty, my heart starts racing and I increasingly feel that I am going to pass out, lose control of the car and cause an accident. I have to pull over until it fades (about five minutes). A therapist in the past told me it was due to my body creating too much adrenaline and that I should just see it through to realise that I won't faint. If I have another person in the car it happens on all roads, even small country lanes. I live deep in the countryside where there are no buses. Has anyone experienced a similar situation? Have you had the courage to 'see it through'?

[NikeYrk]

I’m currently getting back to driving had panic attack while randomly driving years ago and caused me to stop driving so I understand

youtu.be/tBwUSRSc4G0(Not working as expected?)

Give this video a try!

[fuji4129 in reply to NikeYrk]

Thanks so much - watching video now .......

[fuji4129 in reply to NikeYrk]

I can't thank you enough for sending me that link! The video was perfect - it told me so much and gave me such hope. I'm determined to try all the tips it gave. You're a star!

[NikeYrk in reply to fuji4129]

No problem! He also has other videos as well on his channel and has podcast version of these videos you can listen to on your phone Podcast App

[fuji4129 in reply to NikeYrk]

I wish! My old phone is ancient (Primary Nokialothic Age or thereabouts!) but I only use it for calls and texts and don't really want to upgrade but I can use my laptop (also well matured and soon becoming extinct) but many thanks anyway. I actually declare herein that I am truly from another planet as I also don't have, or want, a television (what?? - you must be from outer space!!!). If someone gave me one I would get rid of it immediately. I just find that there's so much more to do during the day than watch TV. I haven't had one for 18 years!

[NikeYrk in reply to fuji4129]

Lol! Yeah you can just watch the videos on YouTube then.

[fuji4129 in reply to NikeYrk]

Yes I will thanks. Has my pc even got a touchpad? No way, it's a real Dellgiathorus - I'm still squeaking the old mouse would you believe but strangely I still love it.

[pink83737]

Hi fuji4129. I have struggled with driving anxiety for a good bit now. I haven’t been driving and my permit expired to now i have to take the test again and then get my hours in then get my license. it’s a tedious process but i need to face my fears and get through it because that’s the only way of getting better right? The reality is you won’t pass out and if you do you can deal with it then. You can come up with a plan now on how you will deal with it but there’s no point of worrying over something that most likely will not happen! I have an extreme fear of getting into a car accident and dying. It’s scary but if that happens then i’ll deal with it then. there’s no point in wasting my time right now worrying about it when i can enjoy my life in the present! Hang in there, you got this! i’m rooting for you 🦋

[fuji4129 in reply to pink83737]

Wonderful reply, thank you so much. Especially your comment "if that happens then i’ll deal with it then. there’s no point in wasting my time right now worrying about it when i can enjoy my life in the present!" So simple but so true. Sending many hugs to you!

[RCCOLA]

Perhaps it's just me but "just see it through" is akin to telling someone suffering from depression to "just smile." Thankfully, I've only had four panic attacks and I say thankfully because they are completely awful. For those that don't know, I'm not sure how to describe what it feels like. I would hope that a therapist could come up with something a bit smarter, more effective, with a step by step process or at least explaining exactly just how to see it through.

Would it bother you if someone else is driving? If not, perhaps there could be someone in the passenger seat that could at least guide the wheel if needed or at least have a hand on it to give you a sort of safety outlet. Or maybe you could sit in the passenger seat and put your hands on the wheel and steer together with the driver or something like this. It might have a better chance of succeeding if you could find someone you trust which, is more difficult that most might think, for me anyway. Maybe I'm way off but I just don't know. I'm going to guess that there are others like this.

Regardless, I really hope you can work something out.