Panic Attacks/Anxiety: Can you please advise me?

Question

Hi guys. Ive suffered with panic attacks and anxiety since 1999. I am male, 24 years of age. I was hoping you can help me

I absolutely hate riding as a passenger in cars at the moment with my anxiety. The thought of riding in one in the front or back, windows down or not makes me feel short of breathe and panicky. I dread everytime i think about having to go somewhere by car.

The last few times Ive travelled in a car i hyperventilate to the point i think im gonna pass out and if its not that, i get a tingling numb sensation in my face, making the think something terrible is about to happen to me.n My heart races and i cant get a breathe at all. This is worst in situations such as at traffic lights or whenever its not easy for the car to pull over to the side of the road (say if its in the middle lane of a main road).

Can anyone sympathise with me here with this problem and can anyone advise me how to conquer this fear and what to do to not panic when riding in a car.? Thanks all

Answer 1

If your anxiety only happens in the car, you've developed a phobia. I'd go with self-hypnosis to work through it..
http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/downloads/hypnotherapy/nervous-passenger.html

If you have panic/anxiety throughout the day and at various times and places, I'd suggest a change of diet.
http://hypoglycemia.org/hypo_test.asp

I don't think you'll want to get addicted to drugs if your problem is only in a car.

Answer 2

Panic attacks and anxiety stem from lack of control, you feel unable to control the situation you find yourself in.
Medication and hypnosis isn't really the ultimate answer. What you need to do is to confront the things that make you anxious.
EASIER SAID THAN DONE YOU MIGHT ADD.
Yes it is and it's not going to be easy but this is how you should approach the problem.
As your anxiety stems from being a passenger in a car have you thought about learning to drive if you haven't allready. That way you will be in controll at all times and feel less anxciouse.
Or if this is not the answer your looking for then follow these simple steps to help get you in control.
First of all try sitting in a car in the passenger seat but with all the doors open.
Take deep breaths and tell yourself that everything is ok and that your in control.
Do this several times and then try shutting just one door. Do this again several times maybe over a period of a weak or more if you have to, you must never rush theses things.
Continue this process untill you reach the point that all the doors are closed and you feel relatively at ease. Don't go anywhere just sit in the car for now.
Next move onto having someone drive you just a few yards as far as you feel happy with. keep this up for however long you need to untill you slowly increas the distance you travel.
Time and patience is the key here, given time and by following my advice you will improve but as for becoming completely cured there are no guarentees i'm afraid but at least you will be back in control and feel a lot more comfortable.
If in the future you should after following my advice have a bad panick attac you need to keep telling yourself it's a one off and that your still in control. If nessassery reasure yourself by carrying out the steps I set out earlier but with only one door left open, yours.
I hope this helps my friend, good luck.
All the best,
Andrew D.

Answer 3

I too had panic attacks - severe ones - for years on a daily basis. I found a program put out by The Midwest Center For Anxiety And Depression about 18 months ago. It cost about $400 and took about 10 or 11 weeks, but I haven't had a panic attack since I finished the program. No drugs. I can now talk myself out of panic and anxiety. The great thing too is that if I feel like I want to panic, I go get the materials out and listen to one of the CD's or watch one of the DVD's and I can feel better right away. I swear by this program - it practically saved my life. if you need any more information, please e-mail and I'll help if I can.

Answer 4

Hi, it sounds to me that your panic attacks/anxiety may have originated from some type of past trauma, perhaps involving a car accident. I also have the same issue but here's what helps for me, before I even get into some ones car I let them know that I have panic attacks when riding as a passenger in cars so that if one does occur the driver will already know what's happening and can therefore remain focused on the driving while I am saying to myself (in my head, not out loud), I am OK, I have control, I know what to do to calm myself,
I will not lose control, breath in slowly, hold it for just a few seconds then slowly release it, repeat this breathing until you can feel your self relaxing. You should feel some type of relief after doing the above, but still seek professional
advice from someone who specializes in this field if after doing this you are still not satisfied.

Answer 5

You should really see a therapist who might be able to help you out and possibly prescribe some medication. In your case, xanax sounds like it would help alot. I think a combination of therapy and medication will help the best.

I feel your pain because I've suffered from SAD (social anxiety disorder) and some GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). If I'm ever feeling panicky I'll take a small dose .25 or .5mg of xanax and it really helps. If I'm at a party drinking alcohol helps alot too, but that is not recommended by everyone haha. Good luck to you.

Answer 6

All of your symptoms are related to your panic attacks. And, the more you pay attention to the skipped beat, the more pronounced they will become. Skipped beats in time of stress, fatigue, excessive caffeine intake are normal in all adults and go away on their own. When you start to have these sensations, you need to go do something else - some kind of physical activity - which will take your mind away from worrying about your physical symptoms. And, hopefully, you are taking medication for your panic attacks. There is also therapy that helps people who have this disorder along with medication so that you can get rid of these.

Answer 7

I have suffered with panic disorder most of my life. I'm pretty much over most of it now(but it always creeps back). Well, Isay over it, what I really mean is that I've learnt to control it. YES YOU CAN control it. I know it sounds impossible now, but please go see a councellor. They have great techniques(that may sound a littlw strange at first).
Don't let this get you. And it's often NOTHING to do with the thing you are actually stresssing about. It could be deep down worries or bad memories you have hidden, even from yourself.

Answer 8

i had really bad panic attacks for years and they were generally when i was travelling because i felt the same way you did, that i couldn't escape if i needed too. eventually they got so bad i went to the docs and he put me on sertraline. this made me feel better whilst i got to the root of my panic attacks, because there is always a reason why you have them. once i resolved my issues and i felt sure that i was ready to come off medication, i did it gradually. now I'm fine and even have the confidence to take driving lessons and have passed my test. I'm not saying medication is right for everyone but that's how i dealt with it. try to remember that panic attack symptoms are scary, but like every thing else, there is a reason behind them and a solution to them. your not alone, many people suffer them and are cured of them. i wish you lots of luck, and hope you feel better soon

Answer 9

Sounds like you must have been in an accident that traumatized you. I've suffered from panic attacks and anxiety myself for years. My last job I was commuting an hour and forty five minutes one way. It was usually on the road that I had problems. Things that I did to help myself: I would cover my mouth and nose slightly to avoid hyperventilating. I would try to think good thoughts or listen to calming music. I would try to keep, "something," in my stomach. I would try to avoid a lot of caffeine, as it is your worst enemy in these times. I would try to breathe using my abdomen instead of higher up. And try to remember that everything will be okay! Good luck!

Answer 10

I was in the hospital 2 times for anxiety related symptoms. It pretty scary having them. basically your hands get clam and your heart rate goes up. You sometimes fell like your are having a heart attack. You have social anxiety. it is OK. manipulative anxiety. just when it gets out of hand is it a bad thing. councilors can help you with getting back to normal. so i guess I can relate to you. they are NO FUN.