My body is being a DiCk!

[Heyyouthere33]

Background info: I struggle with anxiety and panic for 8 years now and it got really bad (again) because of the pandemic. I had to stop driving cuz i would get a panic attacks when ever I left the house. I was also sort of a nervous driver since the beginning, not in local trips but it farther distances . When the anxiety is bad, I can't drive for fear of having another panic attack while driving. But I worked soo hard in managing anxiety and panic from the pandemic that I start to be able to leave my house and enjoy like again this year!! But recently, I dont know if this happens to any of yall but everytime I drive or I'm a passenger in a long trip somewhere I start feel the physical symptoms of anxiety although i wasnt feeling anxious to beginning with.

I started working again and part of my job is driving around and running errands for my office, something I was fairly confortable doing 2 years ago. I managed my anxiety about working and being out in the world again and I'm very cool and calm at the office ( it's alittle stressful but not panic or anxiety inducing) but when I drive to work, run an errand or drive home, my body starts getting anxious. My hand go numb, my stomach start turning, my lips gets tight,my mouth is dry, all of a sudden I'm swallowing air AND (here a new one) my back started to tighten up! I was as calm as a cucumber just minutes ago. I listen to my favorite songs or Jazz which I find very comforting but 10 mins Into my 30 mins commute and I have to pull over cuz my symptoms are too much and I have to relax my body by walking around. Some days are worse then others but I don't know how to stop this pattern. I've been told I just have to get use to the drive. Get use to being behind the wheel but Honestly the driving isn't the problem, it seem to me that i don't trust myself or my body to stay calm long enough to take control of the wheel. It been soo difficult to deal with it. I really don't want to give up driving but I really do not like feeling these symptoms. They are very worrisome. Can anyone offer some advise? Or even a new perspective or if anyone can relate in an capacity. How do you deal with it? How do you calm and reclaim your nervous system?

[Midnight-Blue]

Interesting way to describe how you feel & how your body is messing with psych! I’m going to ask some questions to better understand: live alone ? A close friend that could either drive you or could tag along when you drive. Are you seeing a therapist or other mental health .

[Heyyouthere33 in reply to Midnight-Blue]

I dont live alone. But we all work at our own respective jobs. And yes i see a therapist every 2 weeks although I'm leaning toward changing my therapist. It's weird. I know when I feel nervous and anxious and but this is psychosomatic. Ive had many a panic attacks or anxious episodes while driving that its become a thing I constantly have to make effort to over come. Like I know I'm a good drive and I will get where I'm going but I'm fight nerves every mile because I'm scared ill get too anxious that I will panic. The longer I'm in the car the more I feel like I have to fight that, feel like my body got accustomed to being anxious as a driver.

[Hidden]

Have you tried MINDFULNESS Relaxation Technique Books can be purchased on Amazon or most bookshops. Controlled Breathing can also help control Anxiety, I use the latter when in the car or going to bed etc

BOB