For the last twenty years you have been driving your car without trouble but one day and without a warning while you are driving, you feel dizzy, have difficulty breathing, and a feeling of dread takes over you. The terror increases when you feel you are going to lose control at the wheel. You could be having a panic attack, not a heart attack. But after this episode, you might not want to drive your car again for fear of another panic attack.
You might be told you need to overcome your fear of driving by confronting it head on and driving more. Of course, this only works if driving was the trigger for your panic attack in the first place; if it wasn't it doesn't matter how much you drive - it's not going to help. However, a panic attack can happen anytime, anywhere and come without warning. What should you do if you have panic attacks while driving? If you know how to handle the situation, then you'll be more at ease behind the wheel.
If you have not experienced a panic attack you might not recognize the clammy hands, shakes, and mounting terror as a panic. Your anxiety may be brought on by worrying over your safety on the road, a car breakdown in the middle of nowhere, or getting trapped in traffic.
If you feel a panic attack coming on, pull over and stop driving - you won't drive safely in this state. Pull over, take deep breaths and wait until you relax.
A panic attack may take a few seconds or a few minutes, so take your time until you have calmed your nerves. If there's a bottle of water in the car, take a sip; dehydration can turn on those nasty attacks. If you have had those spells, be ready for future attacks. Always have your prescribed medication handy. Pop a pill and wait for the attack to subside. A bottle of water on the ready is a smart way to ease your way out of those attacks if you sense the familiar symptoms. Brown paper bags should be always available. You'll need this to regulate the amount of air you breathe in. Lastly, relax. Don't fight the attack. Ride with it.
An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure - something which is certainly true of panic attacks. Daily B complex vitamin supplements can help to reduce your attacks, but ask your doctor about what dosage they suggest for daily intake.
Follow your doctor's advice. If you're going to a therapist or to group therapy sessions, make sure to attend consistently. Hearing how others have managed their panic attacks can be very helpful.
If you tend to have panic attacks while driving, you should always have someone else with you when you drive. If your panic attacks are especially severe or frequent, you may even want to have them drive instead. Simply having another person there can greatly reduce the anxiety which often leads to panic attacks.
You might be told you need to overcome your fear of driving by confronting it head on and driving more. Of course, this only works if driving was the trigger for your panic attack in the first place; if it wasn't it doesn't matter how much you drive - it's not going to help. However, a panic attack can happen anytime, anywhere and come without warning. What should you do if you have panic attacks while driving? If you know how to handle the situation, then you'll be more at ease behind the wheel.
If you have not experienced a panic attack you might not recognize the clammy hands, shakes, and mounting terror as a panic. Your anxiety may be brought on by worrying over your safety on the road, a car breakdown in the middle of nowhere, or getting trapped in traffic.
If you feel a panic attack coming on, pull over and stop driving - you won't drive safely in this state. Pull over, take deep breaths and wait until you relax.
A panic attack may take a few seconds or a few minutes, so take your time until you have calmed your nerves. If there's a bottle of water in the car, take a sip; dehydration can turn on those nasty attacks. If you have had those spells, be ready for future attacks. Always have your prescribed medication handy. Pop a pill and wait for the attack to subside. A bottle of water on the ready is a smart way to ease your way out of those attacks if you sense the familiar symptoms. Brown paper bags should be always available. You'll need this to regulate the amount of air you breathe in. Lastly, relax. Don't fight the attack. Ride with it.
An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure - something which is certainly true of panic attacks. Daily B complex vitamin supplements can help to reduce your attacks, but ask your doctor about what dosage they suggest for daily intake.
Follow your doctor's advice. If you're going to a therapist or to group therapy sessions, make sure to attend consistently. Hearing how others have managed their panic attacks can be very helpful.
If you tend to have panic attacks while driving, you should always have someone else with you when you drive. If your panic attacks are especially severe or frequent, you may even want to have them drive instead. Simply having another person there can greatly reduce the anxiety which often leads to panic attacks.
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