Over the holidays I had to drive to a relatives house who lives in Vermont. I had been this way several times before through my life. As I was driving on what I wouldn't so much call a highway, I saw the sign that said "Next Exit 10 miles." My heart immediately started pounding, and a panic attack started. My thoughts immediately "there is no help around here if I pass out or have a heart attack while I am driving." There were no gas stations, no where to pull off or any exit to take if I needed to get help. It was the worse feeling in the world as my panic attack escalated. I started my breathing techniques and talking to myself "you are fine, this are only thoughts, nothing is going to happen" It was the longest 10 miles of my life! I drove with the window open and froze just to keep myself from 'passing out'. Well, I made it that 10 miles with nothing happening. It was hard, but I did it. I hope this gets easier and I can stop these thoughts before they even start! Has anyone been in a similar situation? If so, how did you deal with it?

HI THERE...

YES, I GO THROUGH THIS EVERYDAY ON MY WAY TO WORK, IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT THING, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE IN FULL FLEDGE PANIC. I AM HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME WITH IT, BUT IT SEEMS THAT YOU HAVE MASTERED IT. CONGRATS TO YOU

I just went through that very thing on my way to work this morning. I feel awful that I cannot make it in to work all the way and have to turn around and go home, but in the meantime wait out my attack in the car and then re-attempt to get on the freeway. My panic comes immediately after I have a negative thought about attacks and when I am trying to calm myself down the physical symptoms start kicking in. I had to call in to work as I took too much ativan and have to wait it out today. Tired of panick.... I've tried to go through the program twice but seem to stop halfway. I know I need to complete it but either work or family gets overwhelming and i'm back where I started from... with another attack.

I'm sorry you have such bad panic attacks. Mine don't really come up unless I am in a desolate place, with no houses or anything around. Somewhere I can go to get help. The freeway is bad for me too. I avoid it as much as I can. And when I get on there, I get in the slow lane just incase I have to pull over at a moments notice. Do you have to drive the freeway everyday to get to work??

I think the best thing for all of us to do when a panic attack hits is to accept it and let it happen. Lucinda says the worst thing you can do is to "run." I don't get attacks while I'm driving, but I do get them at work and I've been trying to follow the 6 steps let them pass. You should be very proud of yourself that you made it through. Don't back down and don't let it get the best of you.

Hello Everyone,

I have not been on the website for quite some time now; however, I have been using the program. Currently, I'm on session 7 which deals with assertiveness and over the past few days I have been feeling overwhelmed. I guess I just expected to have recovered by now and yet I still struggle with feelings of at times intense anxiety, stress, depression. For months now I have been recording and challenging my negative thoughts; however, sometimes I worry that I am not doing enough with the program to help myself recover. I have done the homework in the workbooks and I have listened to each session a least four times a week; however, I still have anxiety and depression at times. Today I had to do a presentation in front of my politics and non-violence course and I was extremely nervous. My hands were shaking, my heart was racing and I had intense feelings of fear inside me. I got myself all worked up before I even gave the presentation ! I started to worry about what everyone would think of me and I convinced myself that I wouldn't do too well on the presentation. Well...thankfully, I was able to get up and give the presentation without passing out or having a heart attack ! Unfortunatly, now I feel like crap and I have been convincing myself that I did poorly and that everyone at times noticed my nervous stutter. I used to be an incredible public speaker, but now, I'm lucky if I can even get a sentence out in public without sounding like a bumbling idiot ! I have been writing these negative thoughts down and trying to reassure myself; however, I just cant get rid of the depressive feelings and the feeling that I failed myself and could have done better in the presentation. For me, it's a no win situation, even if I had of done well I'm sure I would have found something else to worry about. I pray that I get through this difficult day and help myself to continue forward with the program.

Benjamin Olthof

Look at the bright side, Benjamin. You DID get up and do the presentation. You could have completely talked yourself out of doing, yet you pulled through. I, too am on session seven and it's a tough one for me. On the self evaluation quiz I scored just above WIMP. I haven't had much time to work on it this week, so I'm going to give it another week and see if that helps. I think this session causes us more anxiety because we actually have to confront our fears.

I wish you the best of luck and don't quit now!
Barb