I went shopping with a friend today, I drove. I actually called and spoke with a coach (Carolyn thank you!!!) just prior to leaving. I've had anticipatory anxiety over this for 2 days.
I was fine for the first 30 minutes of the drive and then I was in a full on panic. I actually leaned down to get the index card on lesson 2: panic attacks so that I could calm myself down. And I REAR ENDED someone! Their car is fine my is pretty messed up.
My mind was now redirected and so was my anxiety. I did go on and continue with the shopping trip. I was a tense mess. We ate (which normally gets my mind going because now my stomach has food in it and it might want OUT). I'm having a hard time finding anything positive. I feel like it was a disaster and quit honestly told my husband... "this isn't fun for me! Why do I have to drive with people?" He said "So this doesn't run your life."
HELPFUL THOUGHTS?
I did it but....
Kananiwoz..I get situational anxiety too, and I take Celexa for it right now. I had a bout of it before I went to the dentist earlier this year, and even though I tried to calm myself down (I was also switching meds at the time) I started to feel ill afterwards and thought I had a bug..I STILL don't know if it was bug or just bad nerves, but it lasted for a week!! Must've been a bug..so timely though!! 
As far as the car bit, I too feel that way. If I'm not sure I'm going to be comfortable..I risk having diarrhea from feeling anxiety. I do find that going to the bathroom beforehand helps (sometimes, though, my bowels cramp afterwards..ever get that after a bathroom visit?), I then take an Immodium. It seems to help.
I have to say your husband has a point..you don't want it to run your life. I know I don't. I've been dealing with these issues for almost 2 years. I've always been a slightly anxious person, which caused me to be a little gassy at times (TMI?), though now, the 'gassy' turns into the urge to go! ...and I better be close by to a bathroom. I am training myself now to hold it at home more and think relaxing thoughts.
Sorry to hear about the car accident
...and especially since you were trying to help yourself out!
MzSonja
As far as the car bit, I too feel that way. If I'm not sure I'm going to be comfortable..I risk having diarrhea from feeling anxiety. I do find that going to the bathroom beforehand helps (sometimes, though, my bowels cramp afterwards..ever get that after a bathroom visit?), I then take an Immodium. It seems to help.
I have to say your husband has a point..you don't want it to run your life. I know I don't. I've been dealing with these issues for almost 2 years. I've always been a slightly anxious person, which caused me to be a little gassy at times (TMI?), though now, the 'gassy' turns into the urge to go! ...and I better be close by to a bathroom. I am training myself now to hold it at home more and think relaxing thoughts.
Sorry to hear about the car accident
...and especially since you were trying to help yourself out! MzSonja