subject: Panic Attacks Driving - What Can You Do About Your Panic Attacks And Driving Fears? [print this page] Panic Attacks Driving - What Can You Do About Your Panic Attacks And Driving Fears?
You need to know if you are definitely experiencing an anxiety or panic attacks?
It can be sometimes difficult to tell for sure if you are actually having panic attacks or not, so we always advice you seek confirmation from your doctor or a medical professional first. There are numerous signs and symptoms you can get, but that first panic attack has been described by many people as an complete overwhelming and absolute feeling of terror.
Some people get heart palpitations, their breathing rate becomes fast, they really feel dizzy and / or weak, sweating or flushing, shaking and trembling, just to name a few. You might feel a few of these symptoms or maybe all of them. Anxiety and panic attacks are unique to every person but are still distressing nevertheless.
So exactly why do you get anxiety and panic attacks when you are driving?
It is important that you understand that you are not alone. Lots of people experience anxiety and panic attacks while driving. A panic attack is not a nice thing to happen to anybody, and it can be a lot more serious if you are driving before you have an attack.
When you have a driving fear your whole body starts to react to this fear, and as you begin to become more aware of these anxious feelings you start to concentrate on them more and more which can lead to physical symptoms too.
The more and more anxious you get, the more consious you get about what is happening to you physically, and it then becomes like a vicious circle which results in you becoming progressively more and more anxious until a full on panic attack occurs.
By knowing and understanding what exactly is happening to you before and during an attack and by studying what sparks your anxiety in the first place, you can learn or be taught strategies that will help you to defeat your panic and anxiety attacks.
Understand what is happening to you first?
In the beginning you need to work out exactly precisely what it is that you fear about driving. You need to fully understand what triggers off your panic attacks and how you feel at the time of having one. Every body is different and their anxieties are triggered by many things:-
Is it hearing a funny sound coming from the engine? Is it driving through busy traffic? Is it approaching difficult junctions? Is it driving somewhere not familiar to you? Is it being stuck in a traffic jam? Is it a past accident or experience?
No matter what your individual fear of driving is. You must be crystal clear in your mind precisely what makes you anxious about driving and the feelings you get. As uncomfortable as this might be, it is issential that this before you can take the appropriate steps to learn how to deal with anxiety and all your driving fears.
