Panic attacks while driving

Well, you are doing the right thing in planning to address this with your therapist. Your phobia is severely limiting what you can do in your life. Plus, it is making you an unsafe driver. You are so focused on your trying to control your panic that you may miss something important that is going on on the road--the slight swerve of another car as the driver considers changing lanes, the car that is going to make a right turn on red right out into your path. Driving slowly does not make one a safe driver; driving confidently and alertly, which is impossible to do while fighting a panic attack, does. What is it that drives your phobia? What are you afraid will happen if you go beyond that small range or drive a bit faster? Keep working with a therapist about this. While there are some things that one can simply work around (such as a fear of mountain roads that have nasty curves and a wicked turn at the top), this is something that you cannot simply work around.

I'm afraid to drive out of my comfort zone too. Especially with my kids with me. I am agoraphobic to some degree also. I find that turning the radio on helps me cause I like to drive faster when I am listening to some good rock and roll. Shame on me huh? I drive up to McCall when I can afford it. It is a beautiful drive up in the mountains to this little town with a lake right in the middle. Short enough I can do and a beautiful drive all the way. But it is on the highway and I have to drive 55 to 65 on the straights. I am always so nervous. So don't feel like the lone ranger okay?

I have had panic attacks on very rare occasions but nothing long term. I found that getting over tired made things worse. Addressing it with the therapist is a good idea. Also, it may be visual...have you got your new glasses yet. They say that the reason cats do not ride well is due to both vision and inner ear issues. The speed and your lack of proper glasses may make you feel very out of control. Have you tried shutting your eyes? Or are you the one driving? Any way, I would check both with your therapist and your doctor to see what they say.

that is the reason the doctor originally gave me the inhaler. i started having panic attacks and it would take my breath away. i had them so much driving that i had to stop 3 yrs ago after driving all over the place for 20 or so yrs. its tough now having to depend on so many others to drive me places.

I lean a little toward being agoraphobic myself and so does my daughter. I keep telling her we have to watch it because if we are not careful we will let ourselves get trapped by our house.

I think you should speak to your therapist about this problem as it is having a big effect on your life and is limiting what you can do.Another thing you could try is somekind of advanced drivers course you may find driving in faster traffic less scary if you had greater confidence in your driving skills.A driving course may give you the belief that you are able to deal with any situation that may arise on the roads.I know that doing the pass plus course made me a lot less nervous when i came to drive on the motorway for the first time on my own.I hope you manage to improve your confidence driving. Good luck!

For about 3 years we lived in areas with little to not traffic. "Rush hour" was a 5 minutes delay. We drove from Texas to San Diego, and I was so grateful to get out of the car some of those days. I don't like traffic, I can not handle all of those cars moving at a fast speed all squished together. The areas I drive to are very ow traffic. Every once and awhile I do go into San Diego for something. I do avoid traffic, I avoid going without my husband & he can go IF he drives my car lol If he drives his car (or even mine) he just stops much too short. However, in his car since it had a turbo engine he is more likely to speed and "fast" in his car doesn't feel fast until you are really going fast.

Yes address it with your therapist, driving while having a panic attack is dangerous you can kill yourself, K and anybody else on the road. A person having a panic attack must pull over to the side of the road until the attack is over, or get Kim to drive. Normally, you know I would tell you to keep trying but if it is dangerous I cannot in good conscious tell you too.

How long have you been driving, pointlessquestions? I think I also have that phobia. I am not driving as I don't think I can ever drive. I can learn, am sure, but will never be able to because I am easily scared. I easily get rattled esp when I hear horns. Here in my country, people are so into hitting that button, y'know. And, there are so many reckless drivers, as well. I don't think I will ever have the confidence to drive. I can so relate to how you felt earlier. What advice I can give you is, take your attention off the thing you're scared of. It's a battle of the mind, actually. You are more powerful than what you are fearing, in fact. It takes a lotta will before you can do this. I know because I am trying to battle some fears, as well. And there are those I was successful at. When the fear has really intensified, however, all I do is pray. And, miracles happen. Try it. :)

hi PointlessQuestions you are an intelligent lady and you I am sure know yyu need to talk to a therapist as most can guide you like mine did me in how not to panic. mine was shopping in this huge crocery warehouse when croweds of shoppers seemed to just swarm towards me bu mping produce to the grou nd and stomping on it. I felt so scared I was panicking and having a hard time breathing. my heart was going so ra pid, my husband saw me and took my hand, guided me to a chair in the lunch area, then he paid for the groceries I had bought. then he got coffee and sandwiches for both of us. He knew what a panic attack was and he talked softly to me telling me I was okay .breathe normally. now you will be fine.we both had worked in the hospital him as an orderly me as a nurses aide. I think if your daughter could be very gentle and calm she could have talked you down from it but it takes a certain touch. my husband seemed to know just what to dol. You see he knew that I was not all right.so there is one way she erred . she has to accept that to you it is not alright. I have not had a panic attack now for years,. but I will always remember how I felt and how scared and panicked i was.so yes see a therapist as a good one will show you how to counter those feelings and it works too.

I can understand this to some extent. The world is just getting faster and, it seems, larger. Plus, drivers in general seem to be getting worse all the time. I'm always wondering how these idiots get away with speeding, tailgating, running red lights, all that stuff when I get a ticket for being parked when I only pulled up to a customer pickup zone to let my son in the car. Where are the stupid cops when the dangerous drivers are out there on the roads??? Anyway, I love to drive so I've never had an issue driving fast or long distances. I'd drive more if I had the money for gas and to make sure my car is able to make long drives. I used to take day trips or weekend trips, just driving to see how far I could get, then either turning around or stopping for the night and returning the next day. Of course, that was before I had kids and actually HAD money I could spend on myself. But, my mother was like you. She hated highway driving because it was too fast for her. She never wanted to drive long distances from home. Whenever we went anywhere together, she'd have me do the driving. That was fine by me.

I feel the same however its less distraction on high speed and sometimes it can be traffic. Its 65 the limit or a must?

I got the same problem but some how im controling now!! Im lisening relaxing songs about God and sins then i dont have them!!

You must train your mind to think about something else at the time!! It is not easy and it will not necessarily happen over night, but with practice you can definitely overcome your fear. Like any muscle in the body the brain needs to be trained as well. Learn to turn your attention elsewhere and you will be just fine!! Think positively.