Panic attacks when driving.

[Leed54]

About 2 years ago I had a panic attack when driving on the M6 for no reason and out of no where.

Since then I started to avoid driving on motorways and my situation has got even worse and now I have started to avoid dual carriage ways, which is making my life a living hell and having a huge effect on my work and career as I want to progress and change but this is really holding me back ?

I have been driving for 14 years and use to drive all over the uk without any problems but now I hate driving with this fear of panic attacks !!

I've read on here that I'm not the only one who has had this problem and wanted to know if anybody has any advice however small it might seem ?

Many thanks in advanced.

[Hidden]

I had this problem years ago, I think it started because of work stress. The problem was I had to use the motorways and like you I couldn't go near one. I did get over it, but it did take time.

The way it worked for me was to allow loads of time to get anywhere. I drove at 45 - 50 mph and stuck to the inside lane. If I came up behind a slow moving truck I'd sit there until there was no traffic for miles around me and then I would pass as quickly as possible. I always felt trapped when driving in the middle or outside lane, I had to have an escape route. That's why sticking to the inside lane worked for me, I had the hard shoulder to dive onto if needed. Within a few a weeks, I was back to normal.

After this, I managed for quite a number of years trouble free, but they did return and this time I went to my GP's. He put me on anti D's and beta blockers. I don't think the anti D's helped a great deal, but the beta blockers seemed to work. So go and see your GP

Good luck

S

[Leed54 in reply to Hidden]

Hello,

Thank you sooooo much for your reply, I just want to get back to how I use to be driving without these feelings all of the time.

I have been to the doctors and been give anti D's and beats blockers which don't seem to be helping me at all.

I'm going to try CBT but I guess the best thing is to just face my fears which is easier said that done !!

Any further help or advice would be greatly relieved

L

[Hidden in reply to Leed54]

Hi

The only other thing and it has just occurred to me. About 4 years ago it was discovered that I have balance problems.

You probably know that for our balance we utilise our eyes, ears and body. The balance input from my ears has gone and I manage ok because of the input from my body and my eyes. But problems arise with dizziness when my eyes are too busy. Example: In a supermarket, a busy motorway or walking in dark areas. Thinking back, I've had this problem for at least twenty years.

The physio treating me said, "I'll tell you where you will struggle, in supermarkets". I do and have done for years. The thing is you can manage with any two balance inputs, but not on one. So if you have a problem with your ear balance and you eyes are too busy, your balance has gone and you panic, then one thing triggers another and off you go.

I had no idea I had this problem, I just thought I was a clumsy git.

Because I now know about it I cope OK, by not letting my eyes become overly busy. My panic attacks have now gone, whether It's down to learning not to overwork my eyes, which in itself relaxes me, I don't know, but it works for me.

My panics on motorways may have been triggered by this, I just don't know, but I think it is a possibility.

I might be worth getting it checked out.

Good luck

S