How to Deal with Panic Attacks while Driving

You’re driving your regular route on the way to work. You have your car windows open, letting the cool, crisp air touch your skin and breeze through your hair. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, you’re listening to the news on your way to work, and then suddenly, it happens.

You feel you’re going to lose control of the car and hit the SUV in front of you. You hurriedly glance to your side mirror but it seems that the vehicles in the mirror are closer than they actually are. You think all of the vehicles are rushing by and are going to hit yours any second now. You can hear your heart pounding in your chest. Your palms on the steering wheel are sweaty and suddenly your throat is unbelievably dry. You’re beginning to feel nauseous and lightheaded, and you feel any second now you’re going to lose control of your car. With superhuman efforts, you manage to pull over and you begin catching your breath. Sound familiar?

Panic Attacks while Driving

A panic attack is a serious, intense, crippling fear of something that just suddenly happens without any warning. Panic attacks are often manifested by hyperventilation, cold sweaty palms, an increased heart rate, lightheadedness, cold feet, and other similar symptoms.

People who experience panic attacks while driving often end up pulling over or worse, avoid driving altogether. There are actually different kinds of fears associated with driving, like fear of being on the freeway, fear of crossing a bridge, fear of being stuck in traffic and hitting the other cars, and a lot of other scenarios. Some people end up hailing a cab or riding with someone and purposefully avoid instances wherein he or she may be required to drive. Sure, you can always just sell your car and give up on driving for the rest of your life, but is this fear something you are willing to live with or something you want to overcome?

Dealing with Panic Attacks while Driving

In order to begin dealing with your panic attacks while driving, you need to believe and convince yourself that this is something you can overcome. As the saying goes, you have to face your fear in order to overcome it. You might be thinking at the back of your mind, “Heck, no!” What you should understand is that a panic attack is a fear, and fear is only an emotion, something which is within us and is within our control.

Next, figure out what it is exactly about driving that makes you afraid of it. Is it the speed of the other vehicles on the freeway? Are you afraid of driving over the bridge because you feel you’re going to lose control and crash your car below, or that the bridge will crumble as you pass by it? If you already know how to drive and then began to experience panic attacks, was it because you were involved in a car accident or you saw one? The sooner you figure out what it is about driving that makes you afraid, the sooner you will be able to overcome it.

Take your time and start driving in areas you’re familiar with, like around your block, going to the grocery store, or somewhere nearby. If you can get a friend or a family member with you to whom you trust to ride with you while you drive, the better. The more accustomed you get behind the wheel, the better you’ll feel and you won’t be afraid anymore.

You should also make your driving environment as conducive as possible, like playing your favorite music in the background. This will help in calming your nerves and may help prevent panic attacks altogether.

Most importantly, when you are driving and you begin to feel the onset of a panic attack, don’t fight it. Remind yourself that this is just an emotion and it will pass. Focus on your breathing, and divert your attention to something that will relax you. Before you realize it, your panic attack is already over and you will begin to have fewer and fewer instances of it until you’re rid of it altogether.