I have panic attacks and I don't like to travel on interstates because of the big trucks and having to pass?

Question

My husband gets very frustrated with me because of this,
he wants to pass them all because they don't go fast
enough, my answer to that is what's the need to hurry.
He is a good driver and he is usually very understanding
about my feelings, but he thinks I need counseling for this fear and I say counseling won't help, because it's a rational fear, A truck (or car) could move into our lane while we're passing, it could happen, maybe not, there is no guarantee, either way. So I would like your opinions,
rational or not?

I have previousy had bad experiences when
riding with people who were passing and didn't get up to the right speed, so there we
were vehicle coming and not able to go
around the vehicle fast enough, two lane roads, on more then one occasion. Luckily
it turned out with no accident. The interstates however, Once I was riding with me sister-in-law on the interstate and she
thought the road was still a 4 lane but it had turned into a 2 lane, she was able to turn the
vehicle so we hit the hillside instead of a truck head on, we were both fine physically,
but I told her, it was a two lane when I realized it, so I am very attentive when riding.

Answer 1

Are the panic attacks only when traveling on the freeway? Take some benedryll to help you relax. Do you have them at other times? See a doctor. I had to start an antidepressant to stop my attacks, but it is worth it. I feel great and don't have those silly attacks anymore.

Answer 2

Panic attacks are often rooted in rational fears, they just grow to an irrational level causing anxiety. So your both right. Yes it may be rational to think this COULD happen, however its not rational to modify your behavior or actions because of it..not to mention you could think of it this way, what if your fear of what could happen if you pass causes you to get to a place in the road where in that one split second a crash occurs, however if you had passed the truck you wouldn't have been there at that time. I don't mean to scare you I really don't, I'm just trying to point out that you can rationalize anything, you could get to where you live in a bomb shelter because a plane COULD crash in to your house someday, it has happened so could be rationalized....you see what I mean? The point is that if you are worrying to the point of panic attacks and making changes to what you would normally do to accommodate the fear then yes some counseling would help. I tend to think of it this way, if your going your gone, no matter where you are or what you are doing..to rationalize this I think of the stories I've heard and even people I've known that have survived things they shouldn't have and people who have been doing nothing, they are sleeping in their beds and a hunters bullet comes right through their house and kills them! If its your time to go you are going, no matter what. Haven't you ever known someone that walked away from a car accident and you look at the pictures of this destroyed vehicle and think how did anyone get out of that? But they did, other people have a fender bender and boom they are outta here. Its just the way I see it. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Actually, your husband is right. Although it's a rational fear, you're unable to cope with it in a rational manner. Counseling might help and you may be able to overcome this fear with some help. We can't spend our lives focusing on the risks in life. If you do that, you're gonna get to the point where you never want to leave the house. Try counseling.

Answer 4

You are not having panic attacks, you are just anxious, overly cautious and controlling.

A panic attack is described by shortness of breath, heart-atttack-like syntoms such as tighness on teh chest and throat, inability to speak clearly, fainting, dizziness, palpitations etc.

If you are just screaming in fear you are just having a hysteria episode. You just don't want your husband to drive too fast and you are displaying all this big theatrical episode when you really don;t have psicological problems.

Get a grip on your self lady.

Answer 5

I had similar feelings after I was in a car accident, but it did wear off a couple of months later. Is there a reason you have this feeling. Talking to a doctor could really help. Good Luck on your situation.

Answer 6

I have a problem driving with a semi truck next to me. my mother says to just look ahead and drive faster to pass him. it works.Passing im afraid you'll have to do to learn to not be afraid. I use to not like making left hand turns. so I would go out of my way to make only right hand turns. Againg that is just a fear your self only can overcome. luck to you.

Answer 7

I have a problem passing the too or when they come in the opposite direction. But I just look ahead and convince myself that it's no big deal.

Answer 8

You should seek help for your panic attacks. You say he is a good driver; but it sounds like you don't trust him. Trust is a main ingredient in any relationship.

Answer 9

maybe you need help if it is consuming your life