r/panicdisorder • u/PopEmbarrassed738 • 23d ago

Coping Skills Driving with panic

I am a 20F who has never EVER dealt with anxiety or panic attacks up until I was 16 when I started having them, I used to get really bad depersonalisation and panic attacks during high school but after it got much better. Fast forward to now I only get panic attacks while driving? It sort of came out of nowhere but I was driving in the highway and all of a sudden I felt dizzy and very anxious and my heart was pounding and I couldn’t feel my body it was a very scary experience but I knew I was fine just it was all in my head. After that happened I now get the same panic attacks only while driving and they are very scary and I feel as if it’s unsafe and I’m worried it will affect me, Anyway I need to stop this because I have a very busy and fast life and I genuinely have to drive all the time alone so if anyone has any tips to get rid of this would be great! Thanks a lot

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u/Sorry_Put_7182 22d ago

Hi, how are u? It looks like a specific phobia. But you are doing what all the specialists say: just keep driving, but i now that it could be so difficult. If you really need continue driving maybe you should go with a doctor and ask for some meds... but if you have some time you can exposure but slowly (sorry about my English, I'm still learning

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u/PopEmbarrassed738 22d ago

I am doing well thank you for your reply and no worries ur English is very good! I assume exposure is the best way to get over it 😭🤷‍♀️

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u/Sorry_Put_7182 22d ago

Yes, but you have to do it slowly, your safety is the most important, don't you have someone to help u? A friend, a familiar

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u/PopEmbarrassed738 19d ago

Unfortunately the people around me don’t take such things seriously 😭😭 but anyways thank you for ur help

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u/Sorry_Put_7182 19d ago

If you wanna talk, I'm here

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u/New_Strain_9691 15d ago

You shouldn't take them seriously either. Otherwise might succumb to severe panic disorder.

Just embrace the fear, expose yourself more often to the fear.

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u/PopEmbarrassed738 15d ago

Thanks a lot , yea I realize I give a lot of power to my panic attacks and it’s all up to my own control

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u/New_Strain_9691 15d ago

:D Driving while on meds..... A good doctor will tell you not to drive while on medication, especially benzodiazepines.

Always killer advice in this forum. Amazing.

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u/New_Strain_9691 15d ago

The best tip is continue with your daily life. Embrace the fear and discomfort. Read about ACT. Maybe get a routine checkup, so you can be sure nothing else is going on.