Hi

[Wezj32]

New to this and never really spoken about it but here it goes.

My names Wez and I'm 32 from South Yorkshire UK. Over the last 7-8 years I'm suffered from anxiety/panic attacks. They tend to happen when driving like a overwhelming feeling. It Concerns me it can happen when alone or with passengers (more so with passengers as for there safety) seems strange writing it down as I try to bottle it up and make out like everything is fine but it's not. People at work sometimes ask for a lift but depending how I'm feeling I have to refuse but don't like saying anything as i think people won't understand and think I'm wierd or something. It gets me down sometimes but I try to stay positive. I wish I could be normal as to not have to worry when they may come on. I've noticed when my minds active and I'm thinking they don't seem to come but when I think of them I feel uncomfortable and can sometimes bring them on or the thought of 1 makes me feel uncomfortable.

I feel strange talking about it but hopefully joining this forum can shed some light and chat with like minded people about it.

Thanks

[tony-]

Hey Wez! have you seen a doctor or have you been given any meds for panic attacks? If I'm reading your post correctly, your panic attacks comes from driving?

[petrified]

Hi wez and welcome :-)

I too struggle with anxiety while driving and I started a thread about it on here back in march before I had a three hour drive to do with my son and his friend in the car. This is some of the advice I received and it might help. If not there was loads of suggestions on that thread.

(use CBT

It only this far between towns .

I can pull over and have a walk if needed .

I have my phone .

I have done it before and nothing happened

Etc etc

Its all about what you tell yourself and what you make your brain believe .

I am anxious , weak , scared .

or

I am strong , happy and i have this)

CBT really helped me with my anxiety as well as my meds. I'm still not the most confident driver but making that journey has helped :-)

[Ritch]

Welcome to the Forum Wez :)

What have you been doing over the last 7/8 years to manage your anxiety/panic?

[Wezj32]

Hey Wez! have you seen a doctor or have you been given any meds for panic attacks? If I'm reading your post correctly, your panic attacks comes from driving?

Hi tony, I've never seen a doc or had meds. I guess I've always thought I could cope with it and thought it was normal in a wierd way? And I have suffered them in other circumstances but more often than not while driving.

[Wezj32]

Hi wez and welcome :-)

I too struggle with anxiety while driving and I started a thread about it on here back in march before I had a three hour drive to do with my son and his friend in the car. This is some of the advice I received and it might help. If not there was loads of suggestions on that thread.

(use CBT

It only this far between towns .

I can pull over and have a walk if needed .

I have my phone .

I have done it before and nothing happened

Etc etc

Its all about what you tell yourself and what you make your brain believe .

I am anxious , weak , scared .

or

I am strong , happy and i have this)

CBT really helped me with my anxiety as well as my meds. I'm still not the most confident driver but making that journey has helped :-)

Hi and thanks for your Reply, I've tried positive thinking when they come on and controlled breathing but the more I think of what I'm doing the more it seems to effect me.

[Wezj32]

Welcome to the Forum Wez :)

What have you been doing over the last 7/8 years to manage your anxiety/panic?

Hi and thanks, well I've just done things like when driving pull over or if I have passengers make a excuse to pull over other than been honest. Away from driving like at home I'd try to focus on a task like peel a apple ( sounds crazy I know) also once tried rescue remedy recommended by a fried but just seemed to make me worse after taking it and haven't since.

[petrified]

Distraction can sometimes work.

Try keeping a favourite cd in the car and just sing along to it.
There are some great home remedies to try things such as valerian root, vitamin b and omega 3 these can all help with anxiousness.
Me personally I started on medication to help me and it has a lot.
I take Prozac and beta blockers and they calm me and help kerb the negative thoughts and worry but I understand medication isn't for everyone.
I would suggest something like CBT though as it gives you a whole new way of looking at things I had one on one sessions and they helped.

[Wezj32]

Distraction does, I've noticed that. When I've a lot to think about positive or negative my mind is free from it. It's when I don't have much to think about it creeps in. Maybe I should consider cbt. My moods in general can be extreme as when I'm up I'm hyper but when I'm down I go quiet with people and try not to engage in conversation even if they have done nothing wrong.

[petrified]

It's great that distraction helps you :-)
I no it might sound stupid but sometimes if I'm nervous while driving I like to play games with myself like just with the car registrations. I might do the alphabet like looking for a car reg with A and then so on.

As for your mood changes it could be you are having a little depression which I would talk to your doctor about. If only for advice and ways to cope with it. Plus they might be able to point you in the best direction to start therapy.

[JohnC]

Hi wezj32,
Some of my worst anxiety/panic attacks happen when my mind is not "involved"with something. It's like I can never be at peace because I have to constantly being doing something. For example; look at when I joined and how many post I have already on this forum. This forum has helped me in more ways than one.
Good luck and i am right there with ya.

[Wezj32]

You find ways of coping don't you :) and I've thought that I may suffer a form of depression. Can have a low option of myself sometimes like a lack of importance to other people. Hmm gets you thinking.

[Wezj32]

Hi john, sounds very similar to me what you feel/suffer. I'm hoping this forum helps me too although I already feel it has chatting with people such as yourself and realising I'm not unique or different of if you get what I mean :)

[JohnC]

Hi Wezj32,
This is a good forum and good people and it has helped me. You too will learn that everybody is different yet not so different, if that makes sense . Hang in there and try to enjoy the the ride.

[Wezj32]

Makes perfect sense :) and I shall