Have you ever been on the road in your car while driving somewhere and suddenly without warning, had a panic attack? This is a very dangerous situation to be in and if this is you, you will need to take measures to control and eliminate them.
Not only are you having a panic attack but you are also in a situation where you could cause a road accident and hurt yourself and others on the road.
So what do you do? Obviously you can't stop driving, you need your vehicle to live your life comfortably.
The only reasonable option is to stop having panic attacks while driving you car.
There are two ways to approach this problem.
The first way is to prevent a panic attack in the first place, the second is to resolve a panic attack quickly while you are in the middle of driving.
I will give suggestions of what to do for both of these situations.
Preventative measures - What to do while driving As you are driving put on some music you enjoy, whether it be on cd or on the radio.
Find a tune that you like listening too and go out of your way to really enjoy it.
This will relax you.
Have a light snack with you in the car.
This can be something healthy and tasty like fruit or nuts, this will give your body something to do other than release adrenaline into your body.
Keep a mobile phone on you.
This will give you a sense of security and a sense that you are in control.
Do not underestimate small things like this, the brain can be a tricky little beast sometimes and fooling it into thinking that you are safe will do wonders for your anxiety.
Don't think about driving, meaning don't think about the actions it takes to make the car move.
Rather think about the scenery or about the car that's ahead of you.
What to do when a panic attack occurs while driving.
First thing to do is pull over as soon as you are able.
You can't do much else until you do.
If you can get out of the car and walk around a bit, this will help you relax.
If you cant do this recline your chair and close your eyes and breathe deeply.
Next thing to do is to remind yourself that you are having a panic attack.
Don't fight it, try to let it run its course.
Fighting it will only make it last longer and make it worse.
One final thing to do is to drink some water.
This will re hydrate you, cool your body down and help reduce an increase in your heart rate.
Not only are you having a panic attack but you are also in a situation where you could cause a road accident and hurt yourself and others on the road.
So what do you do? Obviously you can't stop driving, you need your vehicle to live your life comfortably.
The only reasonable option is to stop having panic attacks while driving you car.
There are two ways to approach this problem.
The first way is to prevent a panic attack in the first place, the second is to resolve a panic attack quickly while you are in the middle of driving.
I will give suggestions of what to do for both of these situations.
Preventative measures - What to do while driving As you are driving put on some music you enjoy, whether it be on cd or on the radio.
Find a tune that you like listening too and go out of your way to really enjoy it.
This will relax you.
Have a light snack with you in the car.
This can be something healthy and tasty like fruit or nuts, this will give your body something to do other than release adrenaline into your body.
Keep a mobile phone on you.
This will give you a sense of security and a sense that you are in control.
Do not underestimate small things like this, the brain can be a tricky little beast sometimes and fooling it into thinking that you are safe will do wonders for your anxiety.
Don't think about driving, meaning don't think about the actions it takes to make the car move.
Rather think about the scenery or about the car that's ahead of you.
What to do when a panic attack occurs while driving.
First thing to do is pull over as soon as you are able.
You can't do much else until you do.
If you can get out of the car and walk around a bit, this will help you relax.
If you cant do this recline your chair and close your eyes and breathe deeply.
Next thing to do is to remind yourself that you are having a panic attack.
Don't fight it, try to let it run its course.
Fighting it will only make it last longer and make it worse.
One final thing to do is to drink some water.
This will re hydrate you, cool your body down and help reduce an increase in your heart rate.