RE: Panic Attacks
I was on a two hour trip out of town. I was only maybe 20 minutes out of town and I had a panic attack and I couldn't control the vehicle. I almost wrecked and I yelled "Jesus! Stop!" I ended up off of the highway on a farmers dirt road to his field. The car stopped all of a suddend and then I decided I'd better go back home. So I turned around and went back home. How could this have happened? I didn't think I would have these anymore. Help!
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Guest
I don't think we can assume that we are cured of having panic attacks. I haven't had one in three weeks, but I am remembering what to do if I have one.
It would be excellent if we could get someone who has been on the program for several weeks to share their experiences with this.
If we are experiencing additional stress in our life, it might be good to go over the panic attack chapters again so we are prepared.
It would be excellent if we could get someone who has been on the program for several weeks to share their experiences with this.
If we are experiencing additional stress in our life, it might be good to go over the panic attack chapters again so we are prepared.
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Guest
Hi cgross:
A little over two weeks ago (driving through central Missouri) I started having panic symptoms. The further out I got the worse I felt. I had to get back home to Kansas City and the only thing I could do was stop the car along the roadside and wait this panic attack out. I was shaking and had all the classic symptoms.
Going through my head was a bunch of self-upsetting garbage: "I'm clear out in the country- what if this panic gets worse? What if I can't get help? What if I start going nuts and drive my car in front of a semi? What will my wife think? I'll be a failure! I'll never be able to drive again..." You get the picture.
After giving it time, I calmed my mind, slowed my breathing and talked soothingly to myself: "It's ok. I'm not failing at anything here. I had to stop the car- it's nothing dramatic- no big deal. People get sick and have to pull off from time to time. It's ok to be patient- I'm only 90 minutes from home and I know I can do this... I allowed myself to just feel the anxiety. I know that it is just anxiety and won't hurt me. It's ok if I still feel some symptoms. I'll just float along and give them time to pass." A little ways up the road I saw a highway patrolman and that gave me a feeling of comfort- that even this far out in the country there are always people there who can help you.
I pulled back out onto the 4 lane highway and turned on the radio. I took several drinks of water. I continued to smile-breathe-relax. I stopped the cycle of tension successfully and actually felt good about myself. I made it home and mentally patted myself on the back.
Like you, I analyzed why this happened. I had been under some stress for some time before this and my nervous system was already sensitized. Before the this overnight trip I was already having generalized anxiety and I had built up doubts about myself before I ever left. The trip was a total success and the next day I felt like I blew it. But the fact is- I made the trip and didn't allow my fear of fear to beat me. I felt the fear and did it anyway. No matter how long it has been since your last panic attack the fact that you had one is of no great consequence. Symptoms of anxiety reflect that something is bothering you. Try to work on the core reasons. Work on the program and the tools it provides you. No matter where you are or where you go you always have your toolbox. And remember to not allow one 'bad trip' to spoil the next one: You must face your nightmare, walk through the fear, allow the panic to come and see it for what it really is. Freedom is on the other side of fear. Ok I'm done preaching haha! Best of luck to you!
A little over two weeks ago (driving through central Missouri) I started having panic symptoms. The further out I got the worse I felt. I had to get back home to Kansas City and the only thing I could do was stop the car along the roadside and wait this panic attack out. I was shaking and had all the classic symptoms.
Going through my head was a bunch of self-upsetting garbage: "I'm clear out in the country- what if this panic gets worse? What if I can't get help? What if I start going nuts and drive my car in front of a semi? What will my wife think? I'll be a failure! I'll never be able to drive again..." You get the picture.
After giving it time, I calmed my mind, slowed my breathing and talked soothingly to myself: "It's ok. I'm not failing at anything here. I had to stop the car- it's nothing dramatic- no big deal. People get sick and have to pull off from time to time. It's ok to be patient- I'm only 90 minutes from home and I know I can do this... I allowed myself to just feel the anxiety. I know that it is just anxiety and won't hurt me. It's ok if I still feel some symptoms. I'll just float along and give them time to pass." A little ways up the road I saw a highway patrolman and that gave me a feeling of comfort- that even this far out in the country there are always people there who can help you.
I pulled back out onto the 4 lane highway and turned on the radio. I took several drinks of water. I continued to smile-breathe-relax. I stopped the cycle of tension successfully and actually felt good about myself. I made it home and mentally patted myself on the back.
Like you, I analyzed why this happened. I had been under some stress for some time before this and my nervous system was already sensitized. Before the this overnight trip I was already having generalized anxiety and I had built up doubts about myself before I ever left. The trip was a total success and the next day I felt like I blew it. But the fact is- I made the trip and didn't allow my fear of fear to beat me. I felt the fear and did it anyway. No matter how long it has been since your last panic attack the fact that you had one is of no great consequence. Symptoms of anxiety reflect that something is bothering you. Try to work on the core reasons. Work on the program and the tools it provides you. No matter where you are or where you go you always have your toolbox. And remember to not allow one 'bad trip' to spoil the next one: You must face your nightmare, walk through the fear, allow the panic to come and see it for what it really is. Freedom is on the other side of fear. Ok I'm done preaching haha! Best of luck to you!
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Guest
cgross - Sparkus gave you excellent information for you to follow.
You didn't just have that panic attack out of the blue. There were signals that your body was giving you in advance. Lots of thoughts that triggered it. It sounds like you didn't use your tools to keep your levels between a one and a three on the adrenalin scale. When you use your tools as Sparkus describes you can actually keep your anxiety to a manageable level. With practice you will get there.
Also, if this occurs again (and I hope you go out again on a drive) stop and get your anxiety manageable. It doesn't have to be completely gone. Heavens, no. Just manageable - then get yourself back on the road and continue your drive. Don't go home right away. Have that victory that you need to realize that anxiety really won't hurt you. It gets better and better.
You'll experience anxiety from time to time throughout your whole life but it doesn't have to be the monster that it is right now.
Good thread.
You didn't just have that panic attack out of the blue. There were signals that your body was giving you in advance. Lots of thoughts that triggered it. It sounds like you didn't use your tools to keep your levels between a one and a three on the adrenalin scale. When you use your tools as Sparkus describes you can actually keep your anxiety to a manageable level. With practice you will get there.
Also, if this occurs again (and I hope you go out again on a drive) stop and get your anxiety manageable. It doesn't have to be completely gone. Heavens, no. Just manageable - then get yourself back on the road and continue your drive. Don't go home right away. Have that victory that you need to realize that anxiety really won't hurt you. It gets better and better.
You'll experience anxiety from time to time throughout your whole life but it doesn't have to be the monster that it is right now.
Good thread.
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Guest