Fear Of Driving; Panic Attacks Help

« « The Cause Of Panic Attacks | What’s The Best Treatment For Anxiety? » »

Saturday, July 24th, 2010 Subscribe To Our Feed

Panic Attacks Help is essential for those that have had attacks on the road and continue to drive in fear. 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. Having been in an accident or knowing someone close who’s been in one can trigger fear and anxiety about driving.

A panic attack although frightening is nothing more than a natural nervous response to counteract a danger. This stress response can be set off with mere thoughts and feelings of danger. In prehistoric times the stress response enabled man to fight with more speed, strength and alertness. However, in the modern world this response has become more redundant. Today we find that the biggest cause of the stress response is stress itself.

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. Several small incidences of panic can build up and cause an attack.

Getting caught in a traffic jam, missing your exit on the freeway, driving at night and driving over bridges; these are common situations that nervous drivers dread. In just a few seconds a little fear can turn into a panic attack. All of a sudden your heartbeat is racing, you begin to sweat profusely and you feel like your losing control. 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. Getting Panic attacks treatment is not essential since it’s the choice of the driver whether they can live without driving again, but it is a good idea to overcome one’s fears. For some people it may be impractical to not drive.

Common panic attacks help comes in the form of therapy or medication. While medication can reduce the risk of attacks and symptoms, it is essential to seek advice from a doctor. Some medications may cause drowsiness and impair driving. Exposure therapy and behavioral therapy are effective means of treating anxiety and with maintenance people can overcome the fear of driving.

Less known methods of Panic attacks help such as hypnotherapy and Emotional Freedom Technique can also be effective at talking this fear. Preparation is a great help for those who are anxious about driving. If you’re very anxious or stressed, avoid getting in the car. Spend a few minutes breathing deeply to relax you before you travel. 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. Try not to drive during rush hour. When driving, play some music to help you relax and be aware of your body. As you drive, keep a relaxed and steady breath, and relax you body. Use reassuring and positive statements and imagine getting to your destination safely and calmly.

If you start to feel anxious, don’t worry, continue to breathe deeply and reassure yourself that it’s just adrenaline in your body. As soon as you think that you’re going to have a panic attack, find a safe place to pull over. You may find breathing into a paper bag helpful for controlling your breath. If you don’t feel fit to drive don’t, try to call for assistance instead.

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.