Driving Panic Attacks – You Are Not Alone
My Encounter
Driving panic attacks are predictable for sufferers of panic disorder. My first one came out of nowhere. At a red light I started to feel woozy. I don’t know why but I felt like I was trapped. All of a sudden, I felt frightened. I couldn’t escape. I started to hyperventilate which of course causes you to feel light headed and then tingly forearms which pretty much place me into full panic attack mode!
Finally the light mercifully turned green and I went into the next-door parking lot where I took a Xanax. After about 15 summary, I managed to cool down a small bit. I was able to drive home but I was terrified the whole time. This one panic attack led to my agoraphobia and dread of driving which would take me over 6 months to cure.
When I got home I was upset, sad and mad all at the same time. I bent new driving rules for myself like only driving at night so there would be less cars on the road, only staying in the right hand lane (so I could pull into a store quickly) and making new routes for my destinations to avoid excessive amount of stoplights. I also never left the house lacking my trusty paper bag. These coping mechanisms would further solidify my agoraphobia and dread of driving.
It sounds completely ludicrous now, but these driving panic attacks nearly ruined my life. If you’re like me, you’re doubtless too embarrassed to tell anyone or to get help. You are not alone! I know how you feel. I went to therapists and psychiatrists but couldn’t help me at all. In fact if you suffer from driving panic attacks, the last thing you want to do is drive to a therapy session. Thankfully, I stumbled upon a key after months of frustration.
How To Prevent Driving Panic Attacks
Do you encounter driving panic attacks? You don’t have to suffer any longer. I’m telling you, freedom can be found. The only way to prevent them is to cure yourself of panic disorder. I know many people won’t like my answer but it really is the only way. When I would take Xanax, or make a different route, I was just putting a band-aid on the symptoms.
What If You Don’t Get Help
If I never got help, I wouldn’t be living the normal life I do now. I would be a burden to my wife. I would’ve lost my job. I shudder to reckon how my life would be now if I never go cured. I urge you to take care of yourself. You can read my blog where I start with my first panic attack all the way up to where I got cured.
After trying nearly all the panic & agoraphobia treatments out there, I FINALLY cured my panic disorder with the Linden Method. It’s the only system that worked for me. CLICK HERE to learn more.
BJ Destrio has a panic blog at DealingWithAnxietyAndPanicAttacks.com
Author: BJ Destrio
Condition Source: EzineArticles.com
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