Hello, All - Well I have tried to post a message a bunch of times,And I think i figured ot what I was doing wrong ( I'm new) But before I ask, i wanted to test this.The topic is that I am having panic attacks when drivig so bad i can't go more than a mile....more to come!Would someone please reply just so I know it went through?Thanks so much,Sincerely,-Mary Beth

Welcome Mary Beth,

If you go down to the next title "agoraphobia" and start reading from #1 you'll find a whole bunch of us with driving phobia. I'm still struggling with this and it's been 5 years.  Sorry this happened to you.

Welcome to Power Surge Mary Beth,     Your post came through just fine.  There are others who have posted with anxiety/panic related driving problems.   You are not alone.  Besides the message boards, you may find help under 'ask the anxiety expert', Bronwyn Fox, which you can get to by  clicking on the link at the top of this page.  ~Helen

Hello, and thank you Kari and Mrs. U. Should I bop over to the Agoraphobia section and pick it up over there for starters?-Mary Beth

Last July, I experienced my first "while driving" panic attack on I-95 in the Washington Metro area.  I felt as though I would lose control of the steering wheel (and almost did).  Since then, I have not been able to drive on the highways here.  I can drive locally, even at 45 mph speed limits - I have been in psychotherapy most of my adult life, and currently take Klonopin at a low maintenance dose to deal with chronic anxiety (have tried most of the antidepressants and SSRIs and mood regulators that have been on the market since 1968 and have had limited benefit, and horrible side effects).  I'm now 52, and I believe these panic attacks are related to perimenopause and a move to a new georgraphical area.  It's really embarrassing, because I used to feel quite independent and drove all over the country, and now I feel like a prisoner, confined to places I can get to without getting on the highway.  In the DC metro area, that is a challenge.  Anyway, I had only had a couple of panic attacks in my early 20's, not related to driving - these new attacks are totally new.  Oy!!

(Edited by nellbp at 9:47 am on June 2, 2003)

Hi, Nell - I'm in the DC area, too, so I know what you're talking about with the roads here.  I hate getting on the Beltway (I-495) from Rt 66, going north.  You have to cross over from the left entrance ramp - which soon disappears - to get to the driving lanes.

A few years ago, I almost drove off the overpass going in the opposite direction.  I was just kind of frozen.  Luckily, the car stopped somehow before I hit the guardrail.  These days, I go out of my way to avoid that area whenever possible.

Good luck to you!

I have been doing cognitive behavior therapy for two months and it WAS working great - I was driving again and felt well. More importantly, when I felt a bit panicky I felt like I could deal with it.

Then, my hormones started fluctuating (I am on the pill having tried natural biest with no luck), I got a totally unexpected period and the anxiety is back like nuts.  I am seeing my therapist again for the first time since this happened tomorrow.  

I think she has been helpful with the anxiety I had created from the anxiety.  But the panic/anxiety that is coming from the hormonal things just seems uncontrollable to me right now.

I don't have an answer.   I know I sometimes feel better just knowing what is causing the problem but it does not make it easier to drive.  I too live in a highly populated area (Baltimore) and driving on highways freaks me out - though I can barrel down a side street or regular street at 80 with no problem - go figure.

I also have had panic attacks while driving and since last summer have not driven on the freeways around here.I live near Detroit so it is no picnic here either.My attacks start with the hyperventilating and the thoughts that I am going to lose control of the car.I also DROVE for RELAXATION not so long ago but since I had that horrible episode, I have gotten around town on the side roads. I am 43 and in that area of preimenopause, with a few symptoms. I used to leave my house on a Sunday evening, drive the 65 miles to my sons dorm and drop him of and drive back with NO problems whatsoever.But I have had panic attacks since I was 8 , restaurants airplanes, concerts, crowds, school those sorts of places. But this is the worst, knowing a party or something is going on across town and I can't drive there?????It all seems so foolish but I know what everyone is going through.It is horrible.I even had one last summer on the back of my boyfriends motorcycle on the freeway and I haven't been on the freeway yet, side roads are ok but not expressways.And a few years ago I was on the back of his bike and we went 165 miles and back all freeway to a ride he wanted to go on-so why did I do it then and now it seems so scarey???It was fine a few years back. The hyperventilating starts it for me, then I get dizzy and then the thoughts of losing control.I see people on the side of the road all the time, checking out maps or just sitting there in their cars but I feel like if I stopped and tried to relax, then I fail. I also take anti depressants and Xanax when I need them, the anti depressants since 1987 when I was an agoraphobic housewife and they helped me LIVE since then. But this car thing has really got me stumped.THanks for letting me vent! I should just get in my car and try it once more and maybe if I have a few short trips under my belt, I may be ok! Take care everyone! Linda

Well, I may be trying it sooner than I think.My son just e mailed me that he would like to come home this weekend, he hasn't been home since Christmas and he is only in Ann Arbor which is about 65 miles away.I guess I could always take the dog for distraction or company.I doubt he has a ride and I think he wants me to pick him up. Now will be ruminating all day long! Linda

Patsy, your post made me laugh about barreling down side streets at 80mph but not on the freeway!!!!!!!!.With me something about the wideness of the road too when there are no barriors which is the way some of them are built around here.None of that bothered me before, why now????????Linda

Hi Linda,          That is good news your son wants to come home this weekend.  :)   Remember your goal is to spend some time with your son.   You aren't being graded for your driving performance.   LOL   Plop the dog in the car, fill the gas tank, take some water and a light snack, have cash for the first words a college student says "I'M STARVING, and enjoy your weekend with your son.     You know your way and will be fine!   Your son will want to drive when he is in the car if you don't mind.    ~Helen

Thanks for the pep talk Helen! But no, I will be driving back! He HATES to drive, didn't even care about getting his license, got it when he was 18 ,not 14 yrs, 9 mos like you can get your level 1 license here in Michigan.He is a not your normal cruiser that picks up chicks and has 18 people in his car at all times. He barely drvies at all.But thanks for the laugh!!!The dog is a good idea.She and I can sing with the radio!!Linda

I just heard that he got a ride home and I am not involved but I will try to be back on the road soon. I figure that I can start out on little trips first. Linda ps Now I will just have to get along with him for 3 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just learned about this site today from a friend.  I thought I was going crazy when I started having panic attacks while I was driving.  The other day I purchased the book "Before the Change" and read that panic attacks are related to periomenapause.  What  a relief.  When I am driving on the interstate I feel as though I'm going to fall off the sides into a ditch.  I start sweating, my heart races, and I squeeze the life out of the steering wheel.  I feel as though something is pulling my car into the ditch.  Lately my right leg goes numb and I feel as though I will not be able to hit the brake if the car starts going into the ditch.  This has happened so many times and I slow down and try to talk myself out of it.  This last Spring Break I decided to face my fear and drive 667 miles to FL with my daughter.  I did fine on the way down, only had a brief attack when I got stuck in a traffic jam, but on the way home, I had to stop every 20 minutes and walk and talk myself out of it.  I had to spend a night in a hotel on the way home because I couldn't finish the drive.  I want to fight this thing but I am so afraid that I am going to drive into the ditch just to settle it with this demon.  I never understood the expression that people had demons but I feel these panic attacks are invading my mind like demons.  I just would like to know if there is anyone out there who has had the same problem and has overcome it.  I am not into taking all sorts of drugs because most drugs just put me to sleep.  I would love to hear from someone who shares my experience.  

  I have always been nervous driving a car. (like  Don Knotts) However, after having triplets, I be- came very phobic to just drive a car!  Somehow my chemistry changed.  I have not found anything yet that has worked for me.  I am 47.  I did run across on the internet a virtual reality program for driving phobias.  I would like to try it.   Also , I am thinking of hypnosis. Thank you for writing -I feel very alone with this "driving phobia.". I feel hardly no one understands.  My mother claims it's because I think negative about driving.  I do feel it is a brain chemistry imbalance.  I do feel there is help out there.  It is a matter of finding the right treatment.

I too, have had this driving thing for the past 9 months.  I was always independent, and driving never bothered.me.  I live on Long Island, and must take major expessways to work everyday.   One day, just out of the blue, traffic was backed up on the parkway, and I just freaked out!!!  Got really dizzy, my chest tightened, my legs got all numb and tingly like I could not hit the brake if I wanted to, and the "stop and go" made me feel even dizzier!!.  I felt like I was "closed in " and smothered and could not get out if I wanted to.  This even bothered me when I had a long line ahead of me in the "left turn: lane.  I tried leaving two or three car lengths in front of me, but that does not help much.  My psychologist suggested I take Life Savers, or some sweet hard candy with me, bring a bottle of fruit juice (must hae sugar in it) and music that I like and play it really loud - sing along if I want.  That has helped for a while, but my cycle has been sooooooo messed up lately - 8 weeks, 3 weeks, 7 weeks, now going again on 6 weeks that this anxiety has suddenly come back again.  My hot flashes/night sweats have increased tremendously too!!  When will all this end!!

I know exactly how you feel - I guest we just have to take a deep breath and deal with this one day at a time.

JoJo--  That's interesting what your doctor said about the lifesavers (sugar) because I have found that just the opposite is true for me.

I have had a panic disorder since starting peri-meno in my late 30's (am now 44), and I thought it was worse while driving, but really it comes whenever I am ENCLOSED and feel I can't get out.  Traffic, elevator, crowded subway, even sitting in the middle of a movie theater, or in the middle of a restaurant booth!

It got so bad  that I was even agoraphobic for awhile.

But this is a journey, like all my meno symptoms, and I thought I would share a few things that have worked miracles for me!

I drink a Revival Soy Shake everyday, I take DHEA, and I take vitamins- lots of vitamins!  Calcium, Magnesium, Multi, E, Fish Oil, and extra C and B vitamins.  I don't know if it's ONE thing thats working, or if it's a combination of all of it that keeps the panic under control, all I know is I feel better.

Sugar makes it worse, especially if consumed the night before.  Premenstrually, I avoid all sugar, white carbs,  and alcohol.  I have noticed that my panic is worse premenstrually.  I also have told all members of my family and close friends about my panic attacks.  Just them knowing, and me not having to pretend helps.

I also quit fighting it.  When I feel panicy- I avoid going out.  I try NOT to put pressure on myself.  If I was staying home constantly, and hiding under my bed, obviously I would seek further help, but as it stands now, I get real panicy 3 or 4 days before my period.  That's pretty much it now- so all plans are soft durning this time.

I would get myself all panicy just at the THOUGHT of getting panicy!  I have since learned that this is called "anticipatory anxiety"- whatever- all I know is it was awful!!

I so sympathize with all of you on this thread.  Being paralyzed by panic is not fun.  It's frightening, and can do some real damage to one's esteem, and general well being.

Stay pro-active.  Learn, learn, LEARN.  And don't beat yourselves up, or raise the bar to where it's unreachable.  The more you learn, the more you understand, and the more you understand, the more you can help yourselves.

Thank God for Power-Surge.

MY anxiety and panic was brought on by hormone changes, I know that others have been dealing with this most their lives.     I don't know how they get through it.

Be good to YOU ladies.  This is YOUR time.  Most of you have been wives and mothers for years, yet never really took the time to nuture yourselves because all the while you were nurturing everyone else.   It's payback time.  Payback from husbands, lovers, brothers, sisters, and children.

........and SLEEP!  Get enough sleep!  It's absolutely essential.  If you need to change your schedule and go to bed earlier- do it!  Whatever didn't get done that day can get done the next, or the next......  Take naps if possible, take long baths, go for walks.........

For once in your lives, make yourself a priority.

Hugs to all of you.............

Hi Mary Beth,Been there....down that and it's not much fun.  Wondering how your going to get from point A to B and how to get home, phew, it's soooo scary.  My right foot starts feeling numb to...all in panic.  And then - I read some of the things other ladies were writing regarding panic/anxiety attacks and why it may happen - it all makes sense to me - Leanne has taught me so very much and I'll share it with you. Perhaps this is   validation  that what Leanne says really does work - and it has worked so well for me.  If your hormones are fluctuating and you can really feel the symptoms of peri meno., especially right before you get your period (or in my case - I had a hyst. - still have overies though so I ovulate and my breast are sore so I know I'm getting that "time of the month")  - moodiness, breast sore, craving for sugar - or whatever your symptoms are - acknowledge that your aware of the fluctuating hormones....for me, staying away from junk food, sugar food,  try to cut back on the caffeine (I now have 1/2 decaf and 1/2 reg.) and rest alot - for me that has been a ticket for me.  It seems that the hormones fluctuating create added panic attacks - and I guess changing the foods that you eat can give you some different choices and more control over the panic attacks.  Ride with the wave - because the panic will stop.  I promise.....   If it's real bad - maybe you should take Zanex (prescribed by a fam. Dr. -it helps panic/anxiety) or something similiar which will help you calm down to be able to drive.  Since I have learned about panic attacks and what can bring it on and how to avoid it has been a real blessing.  

I can sincerely relate to this topic, since I experienced horrible driving panic about six years ago when I was in perimenopause. At the time, I thought I was the only person in the world who felt like this. I drove with other people and they never showed any panic. So I felt really ashamed and didn't talk to anyone about it. I can safely say that I am now over it completely, and I have some answers for any of you if you want to try them. First, let me explain that I work full time, and my commute used to be 15 or 20 minutes on pleasant little side streets. In 1997 we built a home in the country. My commute became 45 minutes ON THE TOLLWAY. I knew what I was in for, or so I thought. I was willing to drive the drive because I wanted to live in the country and I still needed to keep my job of 15 years. I was about 45 years old when we moved. I still had periods, but was entering peri, although I didn't know it and had never even heard of it. Now, to get to work, I had a 45 minute drive and was forced to keep up with traffic at 65 mph. I started to have such bad panic attacks that I lost weight because I felt sick all the time. I knew I couldn't quit my job and I had to go in to work. So the first step toward getting over the panic was actually that I was not able to avoid dealing with it. This is my first advice to you. You must continue to drive. This may be the hardest thing to do, but if you avoid driving, the panic will worsen and you'll never get over it. When I merged on to the tollway, my heart would pound so badly I thought I would have a heart attack. I was in a cold sweat and everytime I had to go under one of those underpasses, I thought I'd drive right off the road and slam into it. Cars were whizzing by me. I looked up at the signs and it was like a nightmare: 15 MILES to my house. I thought I'd die right there behind the wheel. The first thing I did was stay in the far right lane. I told myself I could pull over if the panic became overwhelming. I told myself that if I wanted to pull over, I would go exactly one more mile. But I never pulled over. I always forced myself to go one more mile. Another thing I did (and this may sound silly, but it worked) was that I either turned on the heat in the summer or the air conditioning full blast in the winter. The rule was that I had to leave it on until I reached my destination. Pretty soon, all I cared about was getting there so I could shut the thing off. (If the heat makes you think of hot flashes, then blast the air conditioner but make it so cold that you can't think of anything else but turning it off). Still another was that I opened a window. When you're going 65 mph on the tollway, the air blasts in. I couldn't close it until I got there. You can't think of two things at once. You can either think about a panic attack or think about something else, like the air conditioner blasting or wanting to roll up the window. It may seem silly, but you'd be surprised what a relief it is to get your mind off the pressure for just a minute or two. My favorite solution was that I found a radio station that played oldies from the seventies. I'd turn up my favorite songs and pretty soon the broken line in the road was whizzing by in time to the music and I felt like I was 18 again. I also turned on talk shows and focused on the conversation. I can safely say that my panic disappeared completely and has not returned. If there is a threat, I just turn on the radio station or blast the air conditioner and freeze. These suggestions are just ways to get your mind off your panic while you reach your destination. I'm not saying there is anything easy about any of this, but the ideas worked for me, and I wanted to share them. I have not had a panic attack for about four years. I've had the start of one, and I just do one of the above ideas. If anyone finds any of this helpful, I'd love to hear about it.

Hi: I've suffered from panic/anxiety and agoraphobia in some form for many years now. I gave up driving on the freeway which is bad b/c where we live it's almost impossible to get most places without being on the freeway. I'm too dependent on my husband, which I hate. I've been fighting off minor panic attacks while driving on suface streets, but lately they're becoming stronger. It really bothers me when I'm stopped at a red light and feel trapped. I'll be driving tomorrow to an appt. which isn't that far away and I'm already afraid that I won't be able to go. I know that I have to force myself though b/c at one point years ago, I couldn't leave my home. I know I'm stressed out from menopause as well as lots of other health problems that I'm worried about. In addition to my fear of driving, I've become afraid of being trapped in elavators, I get nervous when i'm getting my hair cut. It just goes on and on. Any Dr. or DDS appt. sets me off. Im supposed to see a new DDS next week and I'm already thinking up reasons to cancel it. A couple of weeks ago, I was driving and kept telling myself the word NO real loud to snap myself out of a major panic attack that made me feel like I was going to black out. I like the suggestion of driving in the right lane in case I feel the need to pull over, but what do I do when I'm stopped at a long traffic light waiting for the left turn arrow and can't escape. I feel like just running out of the car and leaving it there!!! Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'm going to try them.

Sunshine- That is EXACTLY how I felt. EXACTLY !! Elevators and all! Being confined is the worst! I've gotten a lot better this past year, and I chalk it up to the Revival, but really, I'm not exactly sure why I've been better, I just know that I am. I have more comical dentist stories than I care to recall, and the girl who does my hair thinks I am a total nutcase, but heck, who cares?!?? When I was at my worst, I would just tell everybody involved that I had panic attacks, and they were always understanding. I think you should tell your dentist office about your attacks. I think you might be surprised how supportive they can be. When I told mine, they told me it happens a lot and were really great about the whole thing. If you can help it, don't cancel your appointment. Try not to give up anything, because as you know, the more you give up, then the more limited your life is. KEEP GOING. Good Luck!!

Hi leanne: Thanks for replying. I feel like a mental midget at the moment. lol. I keep telling myself that I can do this. I'm reading an anxiety and phobia workbook now and hope it will give me some good coping skills, etc. Of course just reading about it could set me off. lol. I'm glad you're doing a lot better. BTW, I forgot to mention that I'm 53. Thanks again.

Oh boy, and I thought I was alone in this...NOT!! I am 48 and started getting panic attacks while driving when I was in my early 40's. I live in the Northern suburbs of NYC, and work close to the City, so you can imagine that with an hour and a half drive each way (the extra half hour is so I can take my time) on insane NYC roads, driving is a real "joy" to me. Not. My first attacks happened every day, twice a day for two weeks. The first one nearly resulted in my getting killed by a truck behind me because I slammed my foot on the brakes for NO REASON. Controlling the car at that time was a miracle, as I wanted to jump out of the car and go running into MAJOR highway traffic. I was badly shaken. No...I was terrified beyond all description. BUT THERE IS HOPE...REALLY. I am 99 % better and am doing it everyday and am almost fearless, although there are moments when I am getting my period or ovulating (still), that I get teeeeeeny tiny waves of fear, but I plough ahead. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. If I may, I would like to offer some help to you folks. I also want to add that I am offering this to you as a sister...not trying to lecture any of you, or make you feel wrong, or stupid or anything, or to infer I am better than anyone, because I am not, but these things worked for me. If I sound like a nut even writing that, I offered the same stuff on another board and people were so mean to me, I just gave up and walked away. Hence, I just wanted to add that. Anyway, this is what I did. After I was diagnosed (and stayed home for two weeks adjusting to the Paxil I was on --note: the Paxil made me gain 45 lbs. I wound up weighing 185 lbs.) I made myself drive baby drives..around the block, around two blocks, etc. Since the attacks happened in the winter (snow and ice terrifies me still), I made a friend teach me how to drive again in snow in a parking lot. In my case I lost virtually all of my driving skills, not to mention my confidence, my faith in myself, my will, my strength...I felt like a total moron, a failure, a baby, etc. I was a big zero. Everything I accomplished after I divorced my first husband went out the window. I was nowhere, and hated myself totally. I was always strong willed, a real survivor, and I couldn't deal with this...but I did, and slowly. Anyway, back to the snow, I practiced skidding in snow, and these practice sessions helped a lot. Take it one day at a time. And try not to beat yourself up. I also went back to therapy to try to work through any inherent issues I had about driving. In my family driving was not about fun, it was about knowing how to drive in case one of my parents took ill. They were older than most so being the caretaker for them was key. I was 19 when I got that message, and refused to learn to drive till I was 28 when I was married to my ex. Coincidentally he was an insulin dependent diabetic who often had medical emergencies, and guess who had to drive him to the hospital or take over driving while he was having an insulin reaction? me. And any issues I had about health and emergencies, really took hold then. I went to a hypnotist, which helped, although his voice made me nuts. Still, I was able to use some of the tools he taught me to get through it. Relax. Visualize yourself driving, etc. I bought every Caroline Myss book and tape on the market so I could listen to her while I drove. She distracted me from my anxiety completely. I couldn't listen to music in the car then because anything and everything made me nervous, so I'd listen to her and I learned something to boot! I also bought the Four Agreements tape, as well as a driving issues tape that you can find on the web. I refused to allow anyone to help me since I knew that I would wind up becoming dependent on them, which would defeat the purpose of doing it. SO I did it on my own. I make sure I drive in the right lane only so I can pull over. I don't care if I have to pull over 10,000 times, so to this day I will pull over if I feel weird. I put makeup on, comb my hair, and once the siege passes, I get started. I no longer hang onto the fear about what happened for hours after a teeny attack happens...it is just a part of me. My hands sweat like crazy when I was on the Paxil. I bought paper towels and foot powder to put on my hands. The sweating distracted me a lot and made me nervous, so buying this stuff helped. I decided to treat my panic as a friend. Sounds nuts I know, but instead of giving in to it and letting in control me, I developed this kind of self speak I do in the car. I will literally ask the panicked self to tell me what is going on that is out of my conscious awareness. The conversation distracts me so much I don't even think about driving. I don't have to do this anymore, but know how to access if need be. In addition, whenever I start feeling strange, the panic forces me to think about what is going on in my life and to take a chill pill. Is my job making me crazy? Am I upset about something? Hmmm, my fibromyalgia is kicking in so I am exhausted and need rest. That kind of thing. Has it limited me in some ways. Yes, to be truthful. I really can't do major 3 hour drives anymore on highways --I get weird if people drive too close to me, which creates the anticipatory anxiety that I will slam my foot on the brakes, which then makes me more tense. Most importantly, it has taught me to put me first for a change. I was always last on my hit parade, but no more. If I am tense, fatigued etc. I rest. Going through this takes a lot of time...years for me. Baby steps. Honesty with friends and family and colleagues at work. But I will be honest with you, having it has forced me to love me more, take more time for me if need be, allow myself to be human and not blame myself. I can't take hormones because of my endometriosis, so I just keep pushing on, happy that I didn't give in to it. Don't let it control YOU; you control it...a hard thing to get in the midst of this, but it is true. With hugs to all, Pina

Did anyone read my ideas for handling this? Apparently no one had any comment on my post. I feel disappointed and was hoping that there would be some positive feedback.

Oh sorry Cgrove have done a Jimi and forgot the name already. Memo memory:( I loved your tips and will be useing them even though i do not drive:D anxiety is anxiety weather you are driving or just living your daily life. Thanks alot Take care Pauline

Hi CGrove: I appreciate all of your tips also. I've been forcing myself to drive even though just thinking about it scares me to death. I have been taking a low dose Xanax beforehand though. I'd like to stop taking them during the day. I had a DDS appt. the other day that lasted for over 2 hrs. and would have flipped out if I hadn't taken one first. I figure that if I have to take a Xanax in order to drive, then I'll do what I have to do. Take care.

Hi All: Familiar with panic attacks here, as PVM has them....OK, and although I am all but fearless here, I of all things get panic attacks crossing bridges....have this real fear that they are going to collapse with me only half way across the bridge. Here I am, willing to hang glide, propell off cliffs, drive the Sprain into NYC doing 95 miles an hour, but let a wee little bridge pop up, and my hands start sweating, my fingers tighten up on the steering wheel, and it is all I can do to remain focused for the 4 seconds it takes to get across them. When PVM and I first got together, she had real issues with her panic attacks, but she did not let them rule her life. As time has moved on, she for the most part has completely gotten them under control and daily makes the one hour plus commute into the city to her job! I think a big part of her success was/is in realizing that not every surge of adrenlin she has when driving comes from the beginnings of a panic attack. She will swear that I am the worlds BEST driver (Well, maybe second best) and as we talked about her issues with panic attacks, she was very surprised to learn that I routinely experience some of the same heightened states of awareness that she attributed to panic attacks. I know I am a safe driver, but there are a lot of people on the road that do not think, and do stupid things that make my palms sweaty, my heart race, and my hand put a death grip on the steering wheel. None of those are signs of a panic attack coming on, but think sometimes when you suffer from panic attacks as my wife does, it becomes easy to assume they are signs you are going into one. Our talks have allowed her to realize that not everything she experiences while driving is panic related, and that coupled with the fact that she is a pretty darn good driver have allowed her to control her attacks, and to lead a normal driving life....so, for those of you suffering through this, know that you can get through it, and that every little heighten rush of blood into our systems is not the onset of panic, but the sign that a good driver is aware of danger being caused by someone else in another car that is doing something stupid. LD

CSugargrove my apologies for missing your post. I need to upgrade my glasses obviously. Your suggestions are right on the money, and kudos to you for getting past it. I am right behind you in that regard, feeling now almost normal with an occasional twinge here or there, all of which I basically ignore right now. I haven't the time to let the "it" of panic rule me, so I "rule" it...and make it my friend, my alert, my warning notice...my internal voice telling me to "slow down, sweetie...you need to take a proverbial chill pill", which I do when necessary. Every tool helps is my motto, and I loved the reverse psychology of AC in winter (which I did to prevent my hands from sweating!!!) and heat in the summer. Perfect! Distraction is the name of the game obviously, as is getting back in the saddle, and just doing it. I knew that if I didn't I would have NEVER gotten behind the wheel again. Besides, I had no choice --I was divorced then and who was going to drive me? My cats? Nope. Friends offered, but I refused - I already hated asking for help, so my refusal forced me to take action, rather than collapsing about it. That was the hard part...I felt like such a failure, a moron, and a baby -- as in what happened to Superwoman, able to traverse difficult experiences in life? But I kept pushing on, and came out the other side...stronger for it, and a whole lot more mellow, more willing to place me first. Whether you realize it or not sharing your story and your tips help everyone, even those of us who have clearly moved past the rough spots and are able to do what they need to do. Do you recall the movie "Pay it forward"? It was a recent movie whose premise basically stated that for every nice thing we have been given on any level, we need to give the same kind of gift to another...hence pay it forward. That is what you did here!! Bravo!! PVM

I have to comment about what LD wrote here.... So there I was thinking I was completely crazy, going in and out of self deprecating behavior, sometimes in control, sometimes not, freaking out about every single tiny weensie moment when I felt panicky...I would come home and whine about my latest panic issue while driving and LD would say "honey, that's not panic! I get that too when people are driving like lunatics" To which I responded, in my best 12 year old voice, "reallllllllllly???" Really. Then he told me he had issues about going over bridges. Really? really. Each time he told me this I got more confidence. Instead of creating anticipatory anxiety (which I had done rather successfully for many years, thank you), I stopped the neagtive thoughts and just slowly got back into the flow of things. During the Dec 02 first huge snow storm here in the NYC area I had my first car accident ever. My car, which is not all wheel drive, would not remain in control on 6 inches of ice and continuing heavy snows. Naturally I blamed all of this on my clearly and obviously poor driving skills. Anyway though I was going a mere 20 miles an hour, my car couldn't make it off a declining exit and wouldn't stop. I made it go into the right hand guard rail to stop it. I cried, I wailed, and I cursed into the cell phone when I called LD, and he said you did the right thing. A trucker friend of his said the same thing that night. You did the right thing. I got back in the saddle. On July 3rd I blew work off early and went home to extend the holidays. I had my second car accident --a fender bender - while in traffic. A moron, two cars ahead of me stopped short and the person in front of me stopped shorter. I went in to her, though this time I was calm. I was unusually quiet for a while, probably in shock, and though I flipped out for about 2 weeks after the accident and had more attacks, I got it together again. LD said, "You aren't a bad driver honey. These things happen." Realllly? really. And now? I am zipping up the highway feeling like my old self. So the long and the short of it is this: don't be afraid to reach out to someone you love and share what you are feeling. What you might get in return is a few simple words that just may be the start of turning your life around. PVM

pvm, paulinep, sunshine....Thanks for your kind answers about my post. I wanted to comment on pvm mentioning LD having an issue with bridges. I've HEARD OF THIS! My husband's brother actually had a fear of driving over bridges, but he would cover it up by pulling over, getting out of the car, stretching, and pretending to be tired of driving. Then his wife would offer to drive. She was the one who told us he had a fear of bridges, but he would never admit it. PVM, I'm glad to hear you are zipping up the highway....it made me smile. I'm doing that, too, but haven't forgotten that awful terror I had. In fact, sometimes if I start thinking about it when I'm driving, I start to get a panic attack, so I blast the air conditioner or turn the radio on really loud or roll the window down. I guess if we are FORCED to drive (or lose our jobs or become dependent on someone), we HAVE to deal with the fear. If I had been able to quit my job, I would very likely have done so, and I'd still be at home now......

Hi everyone: Other drivers must think I'm really wacko when I'm sitting at a stoplight and telling myself NO really loudly as a distraction to fight off a panic attack. I can identify with bridges too. There was a time when I couldn't drive through one. There aren't many around here, so I don't have to deal with them on a regular basis. I keep doing deep breathing and I'm reading "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook." I think I have every type of anxiety written about. lol.

Sunshine- I often wonder what other drivers must think also!! LOL, sometimes I'm sure I provide them with entertainment, acting like a total spastic!! I use to FREAK over bridges, but now I just look at the car in front of me. I stare at the bumper.....never letting my eyes wonder! LOL... what we go through, huh??

I wrote on this thread in 6/03 and have read all of the posts before and since. I appreciate all of you sharing your experiences and coping mechanisms! I recently found a GYN who said that she has had many patients who begin to experience panic attacks with the onset of peri- or menopause. She also said that these symptoms would probably pass within 2 to 3 years after my hormonal fluctuations calmed down. I decided not to try HRT or other natural replacement therapies. My problem with using natural supplement is this: if they work, they are very likely acting in the same way that estrogen does, and may very likely cause the same adverse effects of estrogen. Natural supplements are still chemicals. Good luck to all who are experiencing these disruptive panic attacks!

Oh gals, you are so lucky to have this site, As I read you all share about the panic attacks, how comforting to feel you are not alone in your agony. I know it well, I am over it now, since post menopausal and hope that it will be like that for many of you, although, no more panic, I have a sense of apathy and numbness, that is also disquieting. I suffered so extreme from panic for years (peri), and also associated it with a sense of insecurity and lack of control of my body, life, etc......I think you have to find ways to work past the panic, whether its the blasting of air, the loud radio, the rubberband on wrist, squeezing your nipples works too (it does! or squeezing any skin) or at times, not driving.......you have to go through your stuff to get to the other side sometimes. Girls.....life is full of so many ups and downs.......its a miracles we get through it! I wish I'd had this site when suffering so extremely from panic........whats funny, is tht the fears/panic have turned to indifference and a sort of realization there is nothing you can do to stop anything from happening........a sense of resignation....perhaps this is part of the change........a sense of losing the power, and giving yourself over to god....and fate, etc..........

hi everyone i started having panic at about forty and it was so scarey.i had to run to town and i was just driving along and it (the Panic)hit me and i shook but kept on driving .and on the way home i was fine.but he bad news is it puts afear in you that it will happen again.and it does..i wonder if its fears from childhood supressed in our minds or old fears or stress..when i had my first one no one seemed to know what caused them..i'm sixty now and haven't had bad one's lately.but you never forget the feeling. joy

Hi This is my first post on power surge..... I started having panic attacks and anxiety at age 20 and I am now 53..... for so many years no one knew what the heck was wrong with me so it just went on and on and I got worse and worse..even though I was in therapy constantly and tried biofeedback, relaxation therapies, ETW, word therapy, and was also at one point put on an MOA called Nardil...ugh nothing worked finally I got an awful bout of depression and at age 39 found a doctor who finally understood....he gave me "The Anxiety Disease" to read and prescribed imipramine and clonopin and things started to really get better....I had so many travel related phobias by then that were so ingrained that although the medication helped, I could not and still can't do many things I would love to do.... But....I would never consider not taking these medications....my doctor likened it to a diabetic not taking insulin, why in the world would someone want to stop taking the only thing that has ever worked to help make her life bearable.... So when I read or hear of some doctor or worse, a company with "tapes" that will make it all better, saying you shouldn't take medication, I see red..... For me, I will never stop taking meds, and for the poor people who are just starting to experience panic and anxiety and are told oh no don't take meds, I just get so upset because I can see the same thing happening to them as to me, years of guilt ridden striving to get better and only getting worse with phobias that become so locked in that it's almost impossible to get rid of them. So when I read that the Doctor tonight specialises in the adverse affects of drugs, it made me feel like this will be another one of those "stop taking drugs and do it naturally" things.... anyone comment? thanks for listening Labeana

Welcome to Power Surge labeane, I would encourage you to come to the guest chat with Dr Shipko tonight at 9PM EST. If you got the E.mail that Dearest sent out about the chat you will notice an article down the page about 'panic attacks' or 'Panic Disorder'. Dr Shipko is not anti-medication, but does have ideas of what medications are most effective and how long one should take them. At the end of the article, he mentions that if one has Panic Disorder the benefits of the meds may need to be considered as more helpful than harmful (that is my interpretation, please read his article and ask him questions tonight). We are similar ages and I have inherited Panic Disorder with my first pa at 31 years old so I can relate to many of the things you have experienced. Interestingly the dr who finally diagnosed my panic disorder gave me the same analogy of the diabetic and insulin. In my opinion, we can expand that analogy to the idea that some people may be able to find the solution to their panic/anxiety with lifestyle changes just as some people with elevated blood sugar levels may be able to avoid meds or insulin by changing their lifestyles. While others may need a brief period of meds and therapy all the way up the scale to people who will get help from therapy and be on medication the rest of their life. Klonopin or clonazepam is a med that Dr Shipko knows a great deal about. Imipramine or Tofranil is a tricyclic antidepressant sometimes referrred to as the older antidepressants, it is not a SSRI. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helped me and I highly recommend it whether or not one also needs medications. Bronwyn Fox was a guest here and her transcripts are on this site. She uses mindful meditation, but also supports CBT. The panic attacks and anxiety women first experience during peri can be extremely difficult. Hope to see you at the chat tonight. ~Helen

Hi There. Welcome labeane! I agree with MrsU on all points. In fact, I will likely miss tonight's chat, but it is definitely something you should consider dropping in on! I'll have to wait for the transcript on this one. It's funny - I hear so many people talking about memory or attention problems during this phase of our lives. I started this very thread a little less than a year ago, when panic attacks brought me to Power Surge for the first time. The funny part is that I wrote my age as 42, when I was 43, and now 44! Helen - I have tried several types of therapy in the last year, and a Psychiatrist I respect and trust has recommended CBT and possibly also a brief stint with tricyclic antidepressants. He mentioned that this type of therapy (in his experience) leads to a marked improvement in over 75% of cases, and over 80% when combined with tricyclic antidepressants for about 3 months. I also fit the profile where panic and anxiety disorders are concerned - female, 35-55, in perimenopause, a history of head trauma, family history of anxiety and/or depression. It's one Dr, but this is what he told me. I'll be starting CBT within a couple of weeks. I am cautiously hopeful, and it was good to hear you saw some relief, Helen. I have not yet made a decision about the meds. Still resisting that, but still seriously considering it - even more so after reading your posting here tonight. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. Best to you Labeane in your quest. There is a lot of support here, and as Helen mentions, there is a lot of helpful info that can guide you through this. Remember to try and drop in here at 9pm for the chat! My best to you. Peace, and of course Hugs, Mary Beth

Thanks for the great idea of looking at the bumper in front of you while driving over bridges. I have problems on highways and over bridges, and have tried many things. I think the bumper idea will stop me from looking at where I really am (up over water and scared). I try to avoid the highways and bridges whenever possible, but sometimes I have no choice. I am 50 and have had this problem off and on since 1971. I must say that I have been lucky to find a non- highway route to many places over the years! Thanks again for a great idea!!!:D

I know exactly what all of you are talking about. I'm post meno now, and things are calming down, but driving panic was one of the worst symptoms I had in peri and I had to solve it because I had to drive to work every day and quitting my job was not an option. Ladies, avoidance of anything that causes panic should not be a solution for you. It's definitely a common thing to avoid whatever set off your panic, and it can be extremely hard to overcome the desire to avoid it. I'd still have the panic if I could have stopped driving, but I could not, so was forced to deal with it and now it's gone, and has been gone for years. I almost never get that well-known beginning feeling of panic that I used to have every day. The panic was so bad I would get nauseated and sick at the thought of driving. I even lost a few pounds, the first time in my life ever that I lost weight from anxiety and not a diet. I have some suggestions that I used which may help some people if you take them seriously, because they cured me. But you have to try them and stick with them or they won't work. First of all, don't avoid driving anywhere because you are afraid of having a panic attack. This is the hardest thing to do. But any other suggestions are useless if you are avoiding driving over bridges or on whatever roads have been a problem. Second, you cannot think of two things at the same time. This is the whole basis for my solution for panic. I would GET MY MIND OFF THE FEAR OF PANIC any way that I could. I turned on the air conditioner full blast, and I had to keep driving and reach my destination without shutting it off, even if I was freezing and my hands had turned to ice. Pretty soon, all I cared about was getting there and warming up. If you don't want to do this, I also tried opening a car window so far that the air was blasting in. I couldn't shut the window until I got there. I turned the radio to my favorite music station and played it loud. I concentrated on the broken line in the road and pretty soon it was flashing by in time to the music and I was almost enjoying myself. NO PANIC. I also tried talk radio shows and concentrated completely on the conversation until I had forgotten all about having a panic attack. I tried what I call Road Therapy. I would talk out loud about anything that was bothering me and imagine a counselor responding. Now, I know that no one was there with me, of course. But I'd get so involved in thinking out loud about the issue that I'd forget to be panicked. These solutions may sound simple and even stupid. But you know what? They really worked for me. I'm still driving back and forth, and I haven't had a panic attack in YEARS. If I should feel one starting, I would just roll down the old window, or turn on the air conditioner, or blast my music station. Get your mind on to something else, even if it is discomfort of some kind, like freezing with the air conditioner. You can't think about two things at once. When you have a panic attack, you are focusing totally on having it. You'll find that if you distract yourself, you can't go into the panic.

Snap. I had to laugh at Leanne's posting too. I get so anxious about appointments, even for someone to come to my home to cut my hair or for home repairs (plumbers/electricians etc). Thankfully my carpet fitters Mum is the same as me (that poor man must have to listen to some stuff from we women). On the day I visited the dentist I sprayed deodrant in my hair, luckily it was clear and didn't make it go white (though it did feel so nice and fluffy). I went to the dentist, gripped the chair, she did the deed and I got up and put my coat on to leave. "Are you planning on wearing them ?" she asked and I realised I was still wearing the goggles! I haven't had trouble driving yet! but get anxious when husband is driving. We got stuck in traffic on the motorway and I got very panicky (as when I panic I often get the runs). What could you do in that case? You can't pull over! Regarding bridges- i have a similar story. We were on holiday in Spain and decided to drive into the Picos Mountains as it was a rainy sort of day. As we climbed higher into the mountains the roads got narrower and more winding, fit only for donkeys and carts. The mist got thicker til it became a fog and we couldn't turn round as the roads were at the edge of deep valleys. Having suffered from anx before the holiday this was making the situationb worse and I began to panic and cry. I held onto the door pull in case we fell over the cliff. Things were getting worse and we stopped the car where there were mountain goats feeding on the edge of the cliff that lead into a misty nothingness... Then a team of cyclists rode past on their bikes, we followed them down a bit of a hill and into basking sunshine...

Hi, New to this Site, tried to start a new thread, but to no avail..LOL Anyway, I too have extreme fear of driving over Bridges.. Will Not do it.. drive out of my way to get around it, won't drive high bypasses on the freeways either. feel nervous, sick to my stomack, headache, chills, sweats, tremling uncontrollaber. Help is my question?

Hi TP,

Although I don't love driving on bridges, I can do it, but HATE driving on highways. Like you, I will do anything to avoid this.

I haven't any answers for you. Many people suggest "desensitization" by trying driving over small bridges first, etc. My heart goes out to you - it's not pleasant living with these phobias!

Jacquie

There was this one spot,not even a mile from my house that every single time i drove past it,i had a panic attack.I realized that i was "expecting" it to happen,and of course it did.I just kept driving that same way all the time(no way to avoid it anyway) and it got easier each time and finally went away.I think avoiding certain places just makes it worse and we need to force oursleves to do things until we're de-sensitized.

My friends Mum was terrified on roundabouts (do you have these on your roads in the US? Do you call them the same thing?) My friend would have to carefully pick her route when her Mum was in the car.

It's kind of funny to have you mention roundabouts, Alice.

I had never heard of such a thing, and then a few years ago, the transportation people in my town put one in at a 4-way stop that is very busy. They had to write an article for the local newspaper about what it IS - everyone kept saying, what do they MEAN, a roundabout?

They explained in the paper that this was "adopted" from England, where they were more common.

After driving around the thing weekly for several years, I can say they are quite clever and maneuverable. There's always the cowboy who takes it at a narrow slant, but most of us are good citizens who patiently stay on the "round."

But some folks in town are frightened of it, like your friend's mother!

Here we have to give way to traffic already on the roundabout but in Europe it is the opposite way. However, in the UK there are many who just drive straight on and there are many accidents. Some people drive on the inside of the roundabout then decide to drive off in front of others. You don't take chances with the big trucks!

BRIDGES ... OMG! I'm fine with all of them except the really high ones down in the gulf coast area. I don't avoid them but my hands sweat like crazy when I cross. And I want to be the one driving!! I don't trust anyone else even tho I've had ride with my mother once this past summer. This is not a peri thing ... It's a height thing.

Check these out:
http://www.portarthurtexas.com/
http://members.tripod.com/~texcolca1/bw8bridg2.html
http://members.tripod.com/~texcolca1/bw8bridg1.html

Boyzmom-
OMG we did a roadtrip to Texas last year and driving through Houston I about died (or was it Dallas?) anyway it was at night and all those loopedy-looped overpasses that are miles high with 5 more cascading in and out under each of them (felt like the Jetsons) - and if you miss your turn - talk about sweaty palms - I closed my eyes.