Panic Attacks Help For Those Who Fear Driving
Thousands of drivers who have had an anxiety attack while driving fail to seek Panic Attacks Help. Getting nervous about driving is common, however fear of driving may prevent some people from driving at all. The reasons for fear of driving are many. A traumatic experience such as being involved in a car accident or witnessing one, can ingrain terrifying thoughts and images into the subconscious.
When a person perceives a threat or danger the body responds to this, which in some people can be interpreted as an anxiety attack. This stress response can be set off with mere thoughts and feelings of danger. Way back when man hunted for food, the stress response gave man the strength, focus and energy to fight off dangerous animals. With no fear of being eaten in modern society, the fight or flight response has lost some of its usefulness. Our biggest enemy today is stress, and this alone can trigger the response unnecessarily.
We have all experienced stress and the symptoms of stress at some point in our lives and especially those with anxiety or depressive disorders. Tests reveal that people with anxiety disorders have a far more sensitive response to stress and anxiety than the average person. Driving fears may sometimes be linked to a distressing experience but usually they develop over time. In most cases a number of smaller frightening experiences lead up to a panic attack.
People who fear driving may have specific reasons that cause them anxiety such as; being held up in traffic, driving through bad weather, driving down a hill and getting lost. A panic attack can come on extremely quickly. The heart starts to pound, the body tightens up and the driver fears of losing control over the vehicle. It is a terrifying experience that can put both the driver and others around them at risk.
People who have suffered attacks may refuse to drive or get back into a car. Some people may be happy to not drive again while others may seek Panic Attacks Treatment to cure their fear. For some people it may be impractical to not drive.
Your doctor may advise medication or therapy as panic attacks help. Anxiety medication may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and the occurrence of panic attacks, but advice from a doctor must be sought before taking medication. There are possible side effects with prescription medication such as drowsiness that could make driving more dangerous. Exposure therapy and behavioral therapy are effective means of treating anxiety and with maintenance people can overcome the fear of driving.
Breathing exercises, EFT and positive affirmations are also useful for those looking for alternative Panic attacks help. Being prepared can help you get through your anxieties of driving. Avoid driving if you feel extremely anxious. Go through a breathing exercise to calm you before you drive. Take a mobile phone, a snack, a CD and a paper bag with you.
If you don’t have satellite navigation, make sure to plan your journey. Don’t drive when the roads are really busy. Turn on the radio to help soothe your nerves. As you drive, keep a relaxed and steady breath, and relax you body. Reassure yourself with positive self talk like ‘I am a confident driver and I will get to my destination safe and sound.’
At the beginning of an attack you might feel a little panicky but keep breathing steadily and recognize these sensations as no more than excess adrenaline. If you think that you’re about to have a panic attack, get safely to an area you can stop and recover. Use a paper bag to help you breathe if you begin to hyperventilate. If you don’t feel fit to drive don’t, try to call for assistance instead.
Get The Answers Your Looking For: Panic Attacks from Nathan Tyler on Vimeo.
