subject: Panic Attack - Driving Tips And Safety [print this page] A panic attack, driving, and the symptoms experienced during all of this simply spells trouble. When driving, our attention needs to be focused on that task for both our safety and others. When panic attacks occur, it becomes difficult to focus on driving, or even seemingly impossible. It can even develop into a fear of driving. So what can we do?
There are a few things we can do while driving to help prevent an attack from starting. Walk with some snacks, food, and water. It is easier for anxiety to spike on an empty stomach. Listening to some favorite music can keep some attention away from expanding the symptoms of a panic attack. This of course, does not mean the type of music that can give us a rush of adrenaline, as this can actually work against us instead of helping.
Outside of driving, practice some form of relaxation. A simple method is to practice sitting still for fifteen minutes without moving. It can become an invaluable asset to be in possession of while on the road.
If an attack makes it through, the first thing is to pull over and find a safe place as quickly as possible. From here we can deal with it and regain our composure. Relaxation could come in handy here, otherwise we can also focus on keeping breathing at a normal rate to help prevent other symptoms from surfacing.
Time to time an attack may go full power regardless, and for this reason it is important to have already pulled over in a safe place. When it passes, we can take some time to recollect ourselves and move on. Try not to worry about important deadlines, a job, or other such things. It is simply not a good idea to take the safety risk of driving when under the influence of a panic attack. This is for both our safety and others.
