Panic while driving

[KateS10]

Hi , just posted a few mins ago , but had something else to talk about ..... who gets panic when driving ???? I never was like this . About a few months ago I started getting extreme anxiety while driving ( even if I am passenger ).... it’s not as bad when I am passenger , but it still stinks . I find that I can’t go far distance , when like 7 miles . I start to panic and have complete attack . Like I am driving having a heart attack . My heart will race and I get sweaty and nervous . I start to bite my fingers ... and I need to just get back home !!!!! It’s an awful awful feeling . I literally just had to turn around a hour ago as I was driving to my doc apt and come home . Had to cancel , I just couldn’t do it ... it’s so so debilitating... it’s taking a huge toll on me and my family I just wish this would all stop

[Ryan990]

I struggle driving 2 miles without freaking out .

[KateS10 in reply to Ryan990]

Do you get the same symptoms??????

[Ryan990 in reply to KateS10]

Yes, especially if I am on a road where I can’t pull over , I have a fear of having a heart attack behind the wheel, and not having a place to stop , or nobody to help me.

[KateS10 in reply to Ryan990]

Yup !!!! Same exact way .. it’s such a terrible feeling and just so darn debilitating

[Ryan990 in reply to KateS10]

It’s weird because I used to drive a 7 tonne truck for a living. Now I can’t even drive my car 2 miles without being a pussy and panicking .

[Marc787 in reply to KateS10]

I'm sorry your dealing with this too. Is it the farther you get from home you start panicking? Ask yourself why are you feeling these sensation, symptoms, recognize them, accept that it wont harm you, your OK, it will subside. You are in control and not your negative emotions or thoughts. You control them with love and compassion and fear will lessen. Break the negative thought cycle. Avoidance is not the way. ❤👍

[Ryan990 in reply to Marc787]

Thanks mate, I’ll try my hardest . Bless you brother 👊

[Marc787 in reply to Ryan990]

Dealing with the physical symptoms is the hardest. Panic, feeling of dying, heart attack, suffocating, tight throat, stomach, chest pain, losing control, light headed, dizzy, faint, nausea, fear, etc. Been there. Keep calm, slow deep breaths and control your thinking. Practice, practice, don't give up. 🤙

[ticc1212]

I’ve experienced my first panic attack in 1995 on the highway and to this day I have not driven on highways. I take the long way to get to the places I need to get to if there’s a way other than highway. Now driving has caused anxiety and I have days when I’m dizzy and not comfortable driving. It’s a work in progress and I drive when I can and if not my husband does the driving. Night driving, I don’t do. Can’t drive long distance anymore. Height has become an issue too, so I don’t do bridges. I recently started to listening to audiobooks on overcoming fears of driving/heights. Wish me luck in overcoming my fears.

[sbadd in reply to ticc1212]

Omg i do the same will not go on a highway i go long way around, i start to panic when trucks come near me and dont like going to fast, i used to drive highways but cant do it anymore, also can not do long distance as i tire easily but thats probably to do with bad eyesight for which i wear contacts, i freak when someone tail gates me, its awful

[ticc1212 in reply to sbadd]

Both of us will some day overcome our challenges.🙂

[Marc787 in reply to ticc1212]

A little at a time. With positive thinking. No rush. We can lessen our fears. Good luck. 👍❤

[ticc1212 in reply to Marc787]

Absolutely, and thank you Marc!

[Gretajetta]

I was the same way and it still happens. Prozac and Xanax helped. What made matters worse is I had my panic attack in the middle of two dividers on the highway where they were doing construction. I felt like I was gonna pass out I felt like I was blacking out. I pulled over called 911. After that episode I did it about 3 more times. It got to the point where I wouldn’t drive on the highway for fear I would have nowhere to pull over. I would go out of the way by miles and it wasted time and gas. It was awful. Get some medication it helps

[ticc1212 in reply to Gretajetta]

Ive been taking Xanax as needed and it helps, but I have not been able to do the highways yet. I often have dizziness and that feeling is why I won’t get on the highway. I haven’t always had the dizziness until a few years ago. I’m not going to give up because I want to be able to drive places and feel comfortable doing so without depending on others. I’m thankful I have a great support system.

[Tlicht0829]

I feel you, I actually just talked to my doctor about this today which I almost cancelled my appointment because I got so nervous but forced myself to go. He talked to me about what my fears where and I explained that I get really dizzy and feel like I will pass out while driving or go crazy and just jump out of my car. It helps me to look at all the times I’ve driven with a panic attack and how many times any of that ever happened, but I think traveling anxiety is the worse. You can try going to a therapist that does exposure therapy. I haven’t been over to my boyfriends house in months because my anxiety worsened the past few months. I definitely understand what you are going through. If you find a way to overcome these please share!

[kvolm2016]

Definitely sorry to read that this has become so extreme for you! Did you get a chance to talk with your doctor after your missed appointment to let him/her know what is going on with all of this?