Stress Center Peer Support

I started the program 3 weeks ago, I was having panic attacks a few times a month, but was afraid to drive alone. My husband encouraged me to get the tapes. Steadly getting worse. Now even getting them when driving anywhere and 8 times a day or more. Is this simply as I am getting into it my body is fighting???? Any suggestion? I went to the DR, as I am also having hot flashes and they are feeding into the anxiety. Thank you.Knittingirl

Hi there knitting girl,

Smart move by going to the doctor. If you don't mind, please share how the appointment went. Overcoming the fear to drive is a tough one because so many of us need to drive in order to get where we are going. Since you are having panic attacks when you are driving, I recommend always having a small brown paper bag in your car that way you cal pull over and breathe in and out into the bag. Using this simple technique will decrease the feeling of fainting and light-headedness.

I was having up to about 8 panic attacks a day as well. Not only do they get annoying, but they simply exhaust you. Granted I do believe that in time we will realize we are our own "safe" person, I still recommend being around people when you feel panicy or anxious. It is hard to talk yourself through panic attacks and in the very beginning you are convinced they are going to kill you. They won't. You can and you will get through this. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for you to stick with this program. I don't know where I would be today without it.

Are you on any type of anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medication?

Forget one day at a time for now. Just focus on one hour at a time. Take deep breaths and know that you aren't alone and that you will overcome this hurdle.

I once was so bad I would only drive in the right hand lane and I always carried a brown paper bag to hyperventilate in I would sometimes take the service roads instead of the highways so I know how you feel. What started helping me was to fantasize while driving. I would think what if I would win the loto. what would I do with the money and creat a distractive dialog with myself about what I would buy myself, then my loved ones etc... and before you know it I was home from work with minimal anxiety I also would plug my iPod in and turn up the volume so that I could not hear my self think the what if thoughts that always raced through my head.
Just keep at it. Thins are never as bad as you THINK they are..