How to Stop Panic Attacks when Driving   

If you have panic attacks while you are in the car you really should get help to deal with them as soon as possible as you are not only putting you own life in danger but that of other road uses. This is one of the few time you CANNOT delay to take action to sort this problem out. 

How to stop panic attacks when driving should really be how to handle a panic attack when it start while you are driving. So what can you do? 

Once you have gone through some panic attacks while driving, it would make sense before you get back in your car again to analyse the attacks you already had and see if you can find out why you are having them. 

You can start by asking your self some simple questions. 

• Do the attacks start on a long or short journey?  
• Do they only happen on one sort of road, like a highway or a back road/ country lane?  
• Do they start when you drive fast or slow or at any speed?  
• Do they happen at certain times of the day , like going to work, coming from work? ,going to an event, or something that you do not like going to?.  

• Do they start the same way in other words is there a set pattern that you notice when an attack is starting?  
• Have you had a good nights sleep or not?  

With this list and other question that apply to you, you will be able to see it there is a pattern forming. Your answers should start to show you what triggers your attacks off and once you know that, you can work out a plan to avoid the situation or be ready to deal with the attack when it starts.

Also try to remember what you were thinking about when the attacks started, you may have put yourself in a worry mode without realising it 

Another tip on how to stop panic attacks when driving is to have positive thoughts. Panic attacks normal start when a persons stress levels start to rise. By putting a picture in you mind (while keeping you eyes on the road) of places you like to go to, this helps to calm yourself down. 

 While you are driving

• It helps to have water near you. A small bottle of water will not take up that much room.  
• Some people have found that sucking a sweet helps to control the panic attack while they look for somewhere to park.  
• Taking slow deep breaths will help with your breathing and help to calm you.  
• If you have had attacks in the car before and come through it, then think of that and tell yourself you will get over this one too  
• If you have been to counselling then it is a good idea to have a recording of the councillors voice on you phone or on a cassette recorder helping you to relax.  

It is always a good idea to have plenty of stops on your trip, so build them into your journey plan and just relax for five or ten minutes. 

By taking action over your attacks, the fear of them will lessen and you will be more able to deal with them when they start and should be able to stop them altogether once you have found the reasons and the triggers that start them.