Anxiety while driving

[nickbriz]

Recently I've been getting anxious while driving. I'm pootling along fine then if I hit some traffic I suddenly feel trapped and start feel sick and short of breath. I get to the point that I am convinced I'm going to vomit. To be honest the fear that I'm going to vomit is probably the worse bit. I've started doing breathing exercises to breath from the diaphragm which has helped the shortness of breath but I still feel sick. The worse times seem to be in rush hour traffic and motorways. I don't want to start avoiding these situations (although who likes sitting in traffic!). It's also worse if I've had a few beers the night before. We're not talking a skinful just enough to feel it the next day.

This has all come on very suddenly. I've gone form occasionally feeling a bit breathless and sick in heavy traffic to feeling anxious everytime I get in the car in just a few months.

I'm not sure what I'm expecting for you out there?! If anyone has similar feelings or better yet a method of getting with it then please let me know.

[nomorepanic]

Hi there Nick and welcome aboard.

I am the driving queen on here! I am famous for my driving problems lol

Here is my Story ...

Nicola's Personal Story (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/NMPcms.php?nmppage=mystory)

My CBT post is here..
CBT therapy for driving problems - my diary (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7162)

How to cope is here....

How to cope with Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Phobias and OCD (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/NMPcms.php?nmppage=coping)

Other driving posts are here ...

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)

I have continued to drive throughout my 12 years of suffering and panic.

I have never passed out and I am perfectly safe to drive - it just doesn't feel like it at times

Hope all that lot helps!


Nicola

People will forget what you said
People will forget what you did
But people will never forget how you made them feel

[scoobygirl2005]

Hi.

Sorry to hear about that. Not sure what to say as I don't drive but perhaps when you are feeling panicky you could pull over somewhere and have a little 10 minute break? Or take some sweets with you and chew one of them? Or put the radio on? Or you could ring a friend? Hope this helps.

Scooby2005
x x

_____________________

www.z9.invisionfree.com/Panic_away

[happyone]

Hi,
don't know if this will help but a few years ago when I first had recognisable problems with anxiety, I used to panic in the car. I found that listening to audio books helped as you have to give them a certain amount of concentration, without distracting from the driving.
Happyone
x