Driving and anxiety

[Trav24]

Hi all,

I’m new to this but at this stage I’m getting kind of desperate and don’t know what to do.

I’ll try and keep it short - I’ve got epilepsy and anxiety that stems off that as symptoms for panic attacks feel like the coming on of a seizure (on a separate note if anyone has something similar and would like to share that would be amazing!) I struggle a lot with a phobia of not being able to ‘escape’ places so I don’t like going to a new shopping center that I don’t know the exits for, or somewhere that I can’t access fresh air/a drink of water etc. I also struggled a few years ago with being alone in case something happened to me and no one was around, and I went through a phase of not being able to leave Mum/dad/my sisters side and couldn’t do anything.

im a lot better than I was but as I’ve gotten older I’ve struggled a lot with driving. I can’t drive anywhere that I’ve never driven before because I’m not familiar with the roads and don’t have an ‘out’ in case I have a panic attack. I was doing really well for a while and felt almost normal but I had a panic attack recently while driving out of the blue and now feel like I’m back to square 1. I have to get someone to either drive me to work or to follow behind me ‘just incase’. Sometimes even with someone there I’ll panic, and it’s just the fear of being stuck on the side of the road with no one around who can ‘get me’ if my family are at work for example.

I’ve spoken to multiple counselors, changed medication three times and had hypnotherapy which didn’t work, and I just don’t know what to do because I can’t keep living like this, it’s having a massive impact on me and my family as well.

any suggestions would be appreciated so much

[pinkkookaburra99]

I have a huge driving phobia as well. I’ve also had panic attacks while driving, not only does it suck big time but it can be very dangerous as you aren’t in a stable or rational state of mind and it can cause an accident.

I’ve tried meditations, graduated exposure, medication , everything. Literally nothing has worked.

i would also really appreciate some advice? Has anyone out there successfully defeated a driving phobia?

[Doolhof]

Hi Trav24 and pinkkookaburra,

Welcome to you both. I experience panic attacks, but so far none while driving, so I don't know I will be able to help with that scenario very much.

I can appreciate how concerning it must be for you both though and how limiting it could make life.

When you have panic attacks, do you realise they are about to happen and can you try to take some kind of distracting ideas to mind to help prevent a full blown attack?

Closing your eyes and breathing deeply is not a good idea when you are driving, but would it be possible to pull over in the car and do this briefly if you feel an attack is imminent?

I recently experienced a panic attack in a public place. I could feel it coming on. So I approached a random lady aged about 50 and her adult son, told them I was about to have a massive panic attack and needed them to talk to me for a while, which they graciously did.

I don't have any answers, just wanted to let you both know that I understand panic attacks and hope you find some solutions.

Cheers from Dools

[Trav24]

Thanks Dools and I’m glad pinkkookaburra99 that I’m not the only one even though it sucks!

I am able to feel it coming on but sometimes I almost feel disconnected from my body in a way and know that if I get in the car something will happen. I drive on the freeway a lot to get to work and know I can pull into the emergency lane, I think my fear goes on to be that I’ll have a panic attack and no one will be around to help me. Sometimes I can manage them but sometimes I just know they can’t be avoided.

I’ve tried looking for apps as well that might help but also got nothing.. am running out of ideas

[Croix]

Dear Trav24~

I don't have any real answers any more than you do, like yourself, Mrs Dools and others I'm familiar with panic attacks:( fortunately not connected to driving or going out. I do know that the same person that managed a period of hassle-free driving is still inside you. If you can do that once you can do that again. You are not back to square one, you have experience now.

I did want to mention that if distraction helps then using a hear-a-book as you drive, one you are really interested in can take your mind right away. Still enough concentration for normal traffic, but not always enough left for worries.

With apps by far the best, at least for me, is Smiling Mind. It takes practice but can forestall a panic attack and is good to relieve stress too.

Croix

[Trav24]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply Croix ! I’ve got smiling mind I think I just need to practice it more to be able to do it automatically, and I like the idea of the books I’ll definitly give it a shot thank you!

[Croix]

Dear Trav24

Good luck with the hear-a-books, I get mine on loan from my local library. You can actually download them and they expire when due back - amazing. Of course they have the CDs too.

Smiling Mind has a one or two minute first practice exercise. If you get used to doing that you may well find it is enough, not much need to go further unless you want to.

Croix

[blondguy]

Hello Trav24

Great to have you as part of the forum family and good on you for the excellent thread topic too!

I understand your pain as my first mega anxiety attack happened in traffic when I was 23 and it was revolting. I know that there has been supportive posts above yet the fear of being in traffic is very real and sometimes misunderstood.

You are proactive with your health as you have had appointments with counselors. Can I ask how long you have seen one counselor for?

The bulk of my traffic anxiety has dissipated only after frequent visits to a counselor/therapist....Anyhow...thats only my own experience. Monthly visits are great.....Fortnightly visits are better and Weekly (if possible) are an excellent way of minimizing the anxiety we have in traffic (or any anxiety for that matter)

The earlier anxiety is treated the better your recovery will be Trav24. I really hope you can post back with any questions or comments you may have 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Trav24]

Hi Paul,

thanks so much for the kind reply!

When I finally found a counselor who helped me I saw him once a week when I was pretty bad and then less as I got better. He was through work so it was all very easy. Then he moved 2 hours away and changed jobs and, ya know, I can’t drive 😂😂

I’ve struggled with bad anxiety for almost 5 years but once I got a small taste in the window where I was driving myself, I’m fed up that I’m back relying on other people

[blondguy]

Hey Trav24

No worries at all and thankyou for taking the time to post back

Can I ask if you have the same anxiety as I did (bad) when you were in a long traffic jam?

For me it was nasty.....as in blocked freeways...physical symptoms....tight breathing....ugh

There is a way out Trav...You are not alone...Traffic anxiety is a serious matter....and no different to a physiological health issue. Anxiety is partially chemically based in the first place

You are not relying on anyone.....this is no different to having broken leg and trying to run....People just cant see your injury.

Can I ask if you get occasional or frequent anxiety/panic attacks at all....? (just trying to help out if thats okay)...I used to have anxiety attacks in crowded places as well as traffic....ugh

The traffic anxiety does reduce in severity Trav. There is also no such thing as a dumb question on the forums..

Any questions are more than welcome 🙂

Paul