Panic Attacks While Driving

Certain situations exist where a panic attack can lead to catastrophic events, one of which is while driving a car. Control of the car may be lost, resulting in accident, if a panic attack causes you to lose your focus on the task of driving. If you suspect you are about to suffer a panic attack and you are in control of a vehicle, the best course of action is to park the car as soon as you can and do not set off again until you have fully calmed down from the attack.

The root cause of the panic attacks will need to be investigated in relation to why they are occurring in the car. It may be that an unfortunate event, such as a traffic accident, has linked the act of driving with a feeling of fear. Panic attacks in a car deserve a very similar approach to panic attacks in general for stopping them. On the other hand, it is difficult to face up to the fear of driving because it is too dangerous to practice driving right away if you are likely to experience panic. Going through the methods for practice while at the wheel of a moving car does not make a lot of sense. This adds a little more difficulty to this situation.

Get to the Root of It

The origins of the fear must be looked into if you are to cure panic attacks while driving. Usually, the fear of driving was not always present and there was a time in the past when the person could drive a car without fear or panic. A trauma, such as a car accident, has had a long lasting effect. Often, the person may become tense with just going in a car. They are unable to think straight or relax while driving.

Exercises to Relax

Sit in a comfortable location away from the car then close your eyes. Focus on your breathing and breathe deeply. Keep thoughts only on breathing and try to clear your mind as much as possible and become relaxed. Let all your muscles relax. Imagine doing some of the things, which make you tense in reality, except picture yourself relaxed and continue to relax and breathe. Picture yourself getting in the car and driving off. You picture yourself as taking control and being confident as you do this. After repeating this exercise enough times that you are completely relaxed all the way through it, you are ready for the next step.

To begin with, you are not going to go anywhere in the car. Just get into the car behind the wheel and think about what it will be like to drive the car. Think about yourself driving the car and being in complete control and comfortable. Ensure that you are an expert on every button and lever in your car, make sure you know everything. Learn to think of the car as being under your complete control. When you begin to feel more relaxed in the car, go for a drive. Find a quiet road to drive on first, maybe in the country. You can work up to harder, busier roads. A panic attack in the car will now be much less likely.