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Car Enduced Panic


6 years ago 0 1 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0

Wishing you success!

7 years ago 0 11212 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Welcome Tabeline,

I am sorry to hear you have been struggling with this. Coming to the program is a great step forward. Have you tried counseling or other mental health supports before?

Challenging your anxiety takes a lot of courage so good for you for already putting work into it. It will take time to have complete control of the anxiety. Right now you have an engrained pattern to fear when you are in a car - creating a new pattern will take time. Challenging anxious thoughts can be helpful but when you are having a panic attack your brain is actually less able to think rationally. While panicing focus on relaxation and grounding techniques first. Check out the section on Relaxation Techniques. Also, try grounding: looks for 5 things you can see, hear for 4 different sounds, tough 3 different touch sensations, smell two different smell and then taste one thing. This will normally get you out of your emotion mind and into your more rational mind. When calm you can work on challenging your anxious thoughts. The program can teach you how to done this. Keep in mind - this will take time. Our anxious thoughts can evoke very strong feelings that can be hard to ignore. With time you will create new thought patterns and your feelings will subside.


Have you had a chance to check out the program yet? Any questions so far?

Looking forward to hearing more from you,


Ashley, Health Educator
7 years ago 0 2 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Good afternoon Tabby. My name is Jojo. I have the exact same feelings. I have said some of the same things. The last PA that I had was about a week ago. We were driving over a bridge and one happened. Nothing seemed to help. I have see the anxiety get more intense and the panic get more prevalent from just thinking about having an attack. You're right, it seems to be ruining my life and making those around me miserable. Just yesterday, we had to cancel a cruise because of my PA, because I can't handle being in a situation where I can't get out of. 
7 years ago 0 2 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
This has in turn, caused me to try to avoid ever getting in the car with someone. And I have rules about when I do. First, I cannot eat anything prior to going, I do not want people talking to me or even acknowledging me for the first 5 minutes, I pray and even talk to myself out loud when I am having one, saying things like , "You know God won't let anything bad happen to you, why are you doing this to yourself?" "you are bigger than this Tabby" "Not today Devil, you won't get to me today". Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I have got to get ahold of this problem. It is ruining my life.
7 years ago 0 2 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello, my name is Tabby and I am brand new on here. My Panic originated when I was in high school and got diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It came and went over the years and the real "fear" came from the urgency to use the restroom. So my fear is basically being away from a a bathroom. My panic attacks trigger this sick feeling, making me immediately have to use the restroom and there is no waiting. It basically only happens in the car, and only when i am riding with someone else. It doesn't matter who is driving. My fear of having a panic attack is what triggers the panic attacks. They are getting more frequent, with have 4 large ones yesterday. My typical PA last for 2-3 minutes and involves sweating, intense stomach ache, breathing changes, fears of dying, and fight or flight panic. Yesterday, they lasted 10 minutes apiece. All while trying to enjoy a day out with my family shopping. I have to give my husband props for dealing with this so patiently with me. 
    Here's my thing, I have actually tried standing up to my panic and saying "well, whats the worse that could happen? You pooping yourself? Well, do it and you'll realize  you didn't die." only to find out afterwards that it gave me no relief, it didn't change my outlook. How on Earth am I going to conquer this before it conquers me? It seems to already have. Help!

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