My first panic attack happend to me when I was driving home from work. I thought I was having a heart attack. Heart pounding throat closing sweaty hands numbness in them as well. Dizzy spells the whole nine yards. I thought I was going to die in my car. I went to the ER that night and they found nothing wrong. Unfortunately since the attack in my car I am horrified even at the thought of driving. If anyone else had anything like this happen please give me some helpful tips to get me back on the road.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Funkspy,

Just have to get back into your vehicle and drive! That is the only way I got over it. Like you, I had a major attack in my vehicle. I was about 4 hours from home in a very bad snow storm here in Michigan and one struck! It was a long 4 hour panic / anxiety attack! Once I got home I was so exhausted. I wanted to avoid both driving and being driven but I had no choice as I needed to go to work etc... Just dont avoid driving! It will get better!

I highly suggest that you do not associate that panic attack with driving!!! Nine chances out of ten you would have had the panic attack anyhow...

Panic attacks are not dangerous in any way...I should know, since, I practically lived in one for 21 years of my life!!! I never once had a heart attack, fainted or went crazy, and neither will you!!!

Accept those panic attacks...Ride them out...Know that you are safe and that you are scaring your own self!!!

Here is an article from the Joe Barry book which may be of great help to you!!!

Activity in the sympathetic nervous system increases our heartbeat, speeds up the blood flow throughout the body, and ensures that all areas are well supplied with oxygen and that waste products are removed. This happens in order to prime the body for action.

A fascinating feature of the fight/flight mechanism is that tightened blood vessels channel blood away from areas where it’s currently not needed to areas where it’s urgently needed.

For example, should there be a physical attack, blood drains from the skin, fingers, and toes so that less blood is lost, and it’s moved to “active areas,” such as the thighs and biceps, to help the body prepare for action.

This is why many feel numbness and tingling during a panic attack, and it’s often misinterpreted as some serious health risk, such as the precursor to a heart attack.

Interestingly, most people who suffer from anxiety often feel they have heart problems. If you’re really worried that such is the case, visit your doctor and have your heart checked. At least you can then put your mind at rest.

You need to float right through these panic attacks...Trust your body, since, there is absolutely nothing physically wrong with any part of you...

You are having anxiety and panic attacks!!! You are safe, secure and very healthy, so, you have absolutely nothing to concern yourself with!!!

Have a great night free from worry over something which is impossible to hurt you in any way

Funkspy,

My panic attacks started when i was driving home from work too. At first i had difficulty breathing, then my hands and feet whent numb and dizzyness insued. In fact, all of my panic attack happened when i was driving. I know that it's scarry, but you need to know that it's not the driving that causes your attacks. What happens is that you have plenty of time to think, and analize, and your mind goes 100 miles an hour. What you need is to learn how to slow your mind down and relax. The program does a great job of teaching you how to do that. If you don't have the program, i suggest that you get it. I haven't had one of my attacks in a long time, and i drive 45 minutes to and from work. Hope this helped!!!

Bill