How to Stop a Panic Attack While Driving - 7 Practical Tips to Get You Home Safely
By: John Cielo
Submitted: 2010-08-21 07:41:45 | Word Count: 580
A panic attack while driving? How terrifying that is, and I know because it's happened to me! If you've suffered the same then I know just what it was like for you. Panic attacks can spring up anywhere, anytime and scare the life out of you, but while driving has to be the most frightening.
To make things even worse, many folks, particularly women who are 2 to 3 times more likely to have panic attacks than men, have had such a bad experience that they don't drive anymore. And that's tough in today's fast moving society!
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Luckily there are a number of simple things you can do to stop -- or at least control -- panic attacks whilst driving...
1. The first thing is not to panic. Easier said than done right? Well, not if you remember that panic attacks cannot cause you any harm whatsoever. A medical fact! So, at the first signs of an attack, repeat that to yourself and face the attack head-on, don't try to run away from it.
2. Once you realise what the initial symptoms are, and that they will not harm you, you're in a better position to take the correct steps. And the first is to find a place that you can safely pull into to park up.
3. Open the windows, release your seat belt and relax in your seat, putting it back if necessary. Now start to normalise your breathing which will be very fast and shallow during an attack. Do this by breathing slowly, deeply and regularly in the nose and out the mouth, using your diaphragm as well as your chest.
4. If you have a paper bag, then re-breathe in this (covering your mouth and nose). This is similar to 3. above, but can re-balance the oxygen / carbon dioxide in your body much faster.
5. Forget about your panic attack symptoms by focussing externally rather than internally. If you continue 'worrying' about your symptoms, they will only get worse and last longer. Turn on the radio / DVD player. Focus on physical things both inside and outside the car.
6. You should now be able to get out of the car (check that it's safe to do so first) and perhaps walk a few steps. Continue your deep, steady breathing, and keep focussing externally.
7. You should now be over the worst of it, but I would wait until you're completely over it before attempting to drive. Make sure all your senses and faculties are working correctly. Better still, you may want to 'phone somebody to come meet you, if possible.
These techniques will help to reduce the effect of your panic attack whilst driving.
But, for those of you who are terrified of driving, you really need to face a critical issue, and that is that it's your very fear that can trigger an actual panic attack. So you definitely need to eliminate that fear if you want to get behind the wheel again, and get back to normal.
Author Resource:-
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