newest member-hi

[desi322]

hi all my name is desi and I am suffering from anxiety and depression.
After taking a couple of medications which made me worse I am now taking citalopram which is an antidepressant which seems to helping. It has been six months now since all this started. Does anyone else take citalopram and have good or bad stories. I have been suffering panic attacks in this time but all started with a few bad ones whilst driving so I
gave in and have stopped driving for 6 months now. Does anyone suffer from a driving phobia and if so does anyone have any advice or good stories on how to overcome this. I seem to be dealing with everything else as best I can but am absolutely terrified of the prospect of driving. [Oops!]
didn't mean to tell my whole life story. bye desi

[giddy]

Hi Desi - welcome to the site, you'll get lots of help and advice here.
Love Helen

[Wenjoy]

HI Desi - welcome to the site. Lots of people here are on the same meds as you so just ask questions and they will all help you. I have had panic since 23years ago but a gap of 20 years or so and now anxiety and panic has startedup again. Use the site to ask questions or let off steam - we are all here for you. love Wenjoy

[Granny Primark]

Hi desi, ive got problems driving. My fear is of becoming stuck in traffic. The reason for this is because last year whilst working i got stuck in a traffic jam. I was really worried about being late to do a community care call. This brought on a severe panic attack which at the time i thought was a heart attack. It really is a struggle some days, but this site has helped me enormously. Last Saturday i drove to the shops with a friend. I was able to do this because id been in the chatroom earlier and told them what i was hoping to do and they were willing me on. I came back elated and couldnt wait to come on the computer and tell them what id done.
You too will experience the same encouragement and help im sure.
Good luck and take care,
love Lynn

[Alexandra]

Hi Desi

Welcome to the forum.

You will find lots of really good help & support on here.

Yes Desi im on the same tablets as you, have been for a while now & i find them okay.

Take Care

Alex

Many People Will Walk
In & Out Of Your Life
But Only True Friends
Will Leave Footprints
In Your Heart

[trac67]

Hi Desi,

Welcome to the forum, you will get a lot of good advice here and make some new friends.

Take care
Trac xx

'Live your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten'

[lildutt]

hi and welcome
bellxx

[lin]

Hi Desi

You will get great help and support and loads of advice.

linda xx

[**whenwillthisend**]

hiDesi i too have been suffering with anxiety for six months now.I was prescribed meds but have a fear of the side effects.With driving i could easily have a panic attack every time i get in my car,but i push myself as i too know would end up having a phobia of driving...im sure you will be fine...good luck

[desi322]

hi again and thanks soooo much to everyone. It's good to know that some of you have felt the same at some time. I think phobia was probably the wrong word to use but I certainly have high anxiety. I can drive on the backstreets and on the highway in short bursts as well. I hope to have the guts to have another go tomorrow while my husband is off for the weekend. thanks again

[MrsCluggy]

Hey There Desi,

Welcome to this website. It's absolutely fantastic and you'll get so much support.

Sorry to read that you are suffering at the moment. Panic attacks are a right royal pain aren't they. As far as having problems driving, I would say just take very small steps to get you back into your car. Was there any specific reason why you had a panic attack in your car? Was it car related or just something that you were thinking of whilst driving?

Panic attacks are just brought on by releasing your mind to total negative thoughts, thus your body reacts in a certain way, you start breathing faster because you are scared and you don't know why you are feeling like this - this is all necessary fuel that feeds your panic and anxiety. If you breath fast, you get light headed and dizzy, and if you have these physical sensations you feel out of control and frightened. The very best thing that you can do is close your eyes, take long deep breathes and just feel your heart rate come down to it's normal beat.

Try not to avoid completely getting into a car, because once you take that road of avoidance it really is very hard to avoid it. Just get in your car and drive to the end of your road then come back home. The next day perhaps go around the block, then return home. The next day go a bit further, until you get used to driving and realise that you are pefectly safe and nothing is going to harm you whilst you are in the car.

You are in total complete control of that vehicle. If you do feel unwell, just turn your car around and come home and reassure yourself that it was just a hiccup and that tomorrow you will go farther and farther, until you feel at complete ease whilst driving.

If you feel more comfortable, take somebody with you who understands what you are going through at the moment. Having someone there next to you can sometimes be invaluable, because you can talk to someone whilst you are driving, thus keeping your mind occupied.

Trying to retrain your brain to not entertain the negative thoughts is all what overcoming panic attacks is all about. Once you can think clearly and positively you are on the right road.

Also, finally, when you do take those small trips, upon returning home, REALLY PRAISE YOURSELF. Pat yourself on the back, give yourself a treat, because you have achieved something that you have found very difficult to do. Self praise is really underrated and can be such an uplifting thing to do.

Give it a go and I wish all the very best.

Jackie xx

If the opportunity doesn't knock .... build a door.

[joolsukuk]

hi
a big welcome ..and yes i used to drive everywhere and now cant stand being stuck in traffic evev at the lights!!! but working on it ..hope to chat in future

jools xx

[Karen]

Hi Desi

Welcome to the forum.

You might find the following information helpful:

First Steps (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=firststeps)

Symptoms (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=symptoms)

Links post: Links to posts about Common Problems (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7784)

driving
Hi new member mom w/ panic and dp/dr (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1239)
Driving (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6038)
driving phobia (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5105)
Hi, I am new and need re-assurance (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6527)
Panic - When driving (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6631)
Panic attacks while driving (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7291)
CBT therapy for driving problems - my diary (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7162)

You will find a lot of help and support here.


Karen



Happiness is not a state to arrive at but a manner of travelling.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough ~ Christine Cagney, Cagney & Lacey

[jackie]

hi desi you will find many people here who suffer just like you do

you are not alone

jackie

[chucklehound]

Hi Desi and welcome to NMP!:D