Panic Attacks while Driving
You might have never had any sort of difficulty while driving when suddenly something comes over you without warning. It becomes difficult to breathe, feel dizzy and you feel an overwhelming sense of dread. You begin to feel as though you may lose control of the car - and this intensifies the fear tenfold. If you’ve ever had this happen to you, you might be afraid to drive.
You might receive the advice to drive more often to confront your fears. In your case, the panic attack is brought on by the thought of driving and no amount on confronting your fears can help you. But the panic attacks can be triggered anywhere and at unexpected moments. But what should you do if you have a panic attack while driving? Knowing what to do can ease your anxieties in case it does happen while you at the wheel.
The first time you have a panic attack while driving, you might not recognize the symptoms - increasing dread and fear, shakes and sweating. You may start to worry about hazardous road conditions, having a breakdown or getting stuck 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 last for anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, so take all the time you need to calm down. If you have some water handy, have a drink. Dehydration can cause or exacerbate panic attacks. If you’ve been prescribed medication for your condition, take one of these pills and relax as you wait for the attack to end. It’s a good idea to keep a bottle of water in your car and a brown paper bag to breathe in. You’ll get over an attack quicker if you ride it out instead of trying to fight it.
With panic attacks as with any other condition, prevention is always better than a cure. You can help to prevent panic attacks by taking daily vitamin B complex supplements; ask your doctor what they recommend as a daily dosage.
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.
A word of caution - don’t drive alone. Always have somebody with you or let somebody drive for you if your panic attacks are frequent and severe. Having someone with you may allay those fears that bring on those panic attacks.
