Panic while driving!!!

[BCadd15]

On my way home from work, I got this overwhelming (wave) feeling that I was about to faint. I was on the highway at the time and continued on just reassuring myself that it was all anxiety. As soon as I exited for my house I got another wave, so I pulled over at a Gas Station. I had to sit and encourage myself at the gas station for about 5 minutes. When I got home, I had to tell my aunt because I was getting really edgy and it helped a bit. I just seemed to be really down right now because I haven't been having bad attacks like that lately and this one got the best of me. I didn't freak out like the first panic attack that I had but I definetly started to doubt that it was panic causing these sensations. Any encouragement? Has anyone ever felt like this? I felt I didn't handle the panic like I wanted to. Everyone says just to let it happen but today I was in freak out mode, I guess cause I was on the highway while this was happening and not in a place where I could calmly deal with this. Anyway, and help would be appreciated.

[tigerpaw]

Hey, I moved your post because it appeared that the DRIVING anxiety was specific, and that you are fine in other locations, home, Friends house, restaurants.

This COULD be a type of AGROPHOBIA, a fear of leaving the house.  In your case a fear of driving.

Having been through this, mine was more general, it really was a horror show.

In any case if it gets to a point where it is affecting your being able to live a normal life, please consider a therapist.

This is a common ANXIETY ISSUE so don't freak out.

Tig

[shrublet]

Hey BCadd!

Unfortunately, phobias and specific anxiety situations can be a bit of a vicious circle. You expect to get anxious, you DO get anxious, and the fact that you are anxious makes you more anxious! Oh anxiety, the things you do to us... If you are finding that it is a phobia-type situation (for example, highways make you nervous), then the best thing to do is to confront it in small steps. For example, say you are going to drive x miles, or you will drive on the highway with someone you trust in the car with you.

However, if it is just general anxiety over being in a place where you feel like you do not have control, then yes, reading some literature on agoraphobia might be helpful! I will often get upset while staying out of town... not because I am feeling panicky over anything in particular, but because if I DID get panicky, I'd be in a place where I could not deal with it in my own way! So it's pre-emptive anxiety, really.

[BCadd15]

I have had this happen on the road maybe 3 times in about 2 years. I don't feel like it is a specific phobia because I also have had panic attacks after eating or at the movies...etc. I normally don't get in the car and anticipate a panic attack but yesterday it kinda hit me out of no where. All that said, I have been dealing with the fact that I actually believed for the last 1 1/2 years that I had a heart problem even though I have been checked and cleared by a cardiologist. This has caused constant anxiety and tension for the last year and I need some help in order to get through this. Anyone have similar stories or words of encouragement. Have you been in my shoes? How are you doing now?
 

[Breathless]

I get anxious everytime I get in the car cause I can't get up and walk around. I feel stuck, but I want to get to where I am going so I can get out of the car, so I don't pull over. I always fear that I am going to pass out and wreck.

[Lane]

All of my panic attacks happen when driving. That's the only situation where I have problems. At first it was limited to tunnels and bridges, but it's spread to where it happens when I get stuck in traffic or construction - basically any situation where I feel trapped on the road and there's no where to pull off. Xanax and anti-depressants helped a lot for the first year or so, but since then (about 6 years ago) I have been off meds and have learned to deal with it for the most part. I still struggle at times and I still avoid tunnels at all costs, but I can usually manage otherwise. Sometimes I get anxious on the interstate, like today, I drove about 250 miles and I had a few bouts of anxiety but nothing serious where I had to pull over or anything. It's still frustrating because it can just happen out of the blue. I can be fine one minute and then a wave of anxiety will hit me. On the interstate, however, with me, it usually passes quickly and doesn't develop into a full blown attack.

I have a bunch of little personal behaviors that help me, but one thing that works the best is (and I know this sounds dumb) that I force myself to smile and/or laugh. For some reason, that really works for me.