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Discussion Topic: Panic on the highway
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 dCheryl |
10-19-2004 @ 4:50 PM |
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Joined: Feb. 2004
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Make that "life saver." lol
Forgot to mention that one of the first things I did was cut out caffiene. I love my morning cup of coffee and started off by getting Folgers Half Caff. Then I cut back to de-cafe. I also use decaff teabags. (still smoking the cigarettes which the doc says I need to quit but I haven't gone down that road yet.)
Rosey mentioned crying. Crying helps tremendously. It helps relieve alot of the stress and tension that we've allowed to build up. Sometimes when I'm home alone I cry just for the heck of it and when I'm done I feel relaxed.
And did I mention exercise?? My gawd it helps too!
I was sooo resistant to all of these suggestions just 8 months ago. I finally started slowly incorporating all of these things into my life and in a matter of months I could feel a difference. Change can be good.....better yet....change can be great! Stop fighting it and participate in your treatment. If like me you are waiting for a magic pill to make it all go away...its just not going to appear. YOU have to put in the effort to make the changes in your life that are going to get your anxiety/panic to go away.
Good luck and God Bless you all.
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| dCheryl |
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10-19-2004 @ 4:39 PM |
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Joined: Feb. 2004
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Hi Everyone. I haven't been in here in several months, because frankly, I've been doing great. I'm by no means cured, but the Paxil CR and the therapy have seemed to help. I no longer suffer from daily anxiety or frequent panic attacks. I still get nervous in some situations and still avoid a lot of things so I know I have a long way to go.
I felt the need to post because my anxiety/panic attacks ALWAYS occur in the car. Mainly when I am stuck in traffic. I have cars in front of me...behind me....and on either side of me. Its that thought of being trapped and unable to get out that terrifies me. I always stay in the right lane if I can and I am aware of all the turn offs I can make if I need to get off the road. The problem with some highways and most bridges is there is not always an easy escape.
I keep a magazine in my truck with me at all times. If I happen to get stuck in traffic (and sometimes "stuck" simply means I'm surrounded by cars at a red light for 2 minutes....I find that reading the magazine helps distract me. As soon as I feel the anxiety creeping up, I pick up my magazine and start searching for an article of interest.
I also keep a list in my car that helps change my thinking pattern:
I'm not going to pass out because I'm anxious. Its never happened before...its not going to happen now.
I'm not going to suffocate. Its never happened before, its not going to happen now. I'm going to take slow deep breaths and calm myself down.
I'm not going to have a heart attack. Its never happened before, its not going to happen now. I can control my heart rate by controlling my breathing.
Its only a few minutes til the light changes. I've sat here before and made it thru safetly...I will sit here now and make it thru safetly again.
Telling yourself that awful things are going to happen just feeds the panic. We all need to counter that with postive thoughts and positive feedback. The key to beating this is changing our thinking pattern (cognitive behavior therapy). I thought it was a load of **** when I first heard about it...but its been a life safer.
Cheryl
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| Josie, Support Specialist |
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10-19-2004 @ 7:54 AM |
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Moderator
Joined: Mar. 2004
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Starsher,
Please feel free to roam the site at your own pace. If you look to the left of the screen under "TOOLS" you will find many supportive tests. These tests are not diagnostic tools and are not a replacement or substitute for a physician's advice.
When you're finished the test, you can either print your Final Report or email it directly to your doctor. This may help better assess the situation.
We also have developed a Panic Program. This program is 12-weeks and involves the tools mentioned above. Each session is based on the previous session, so we strongly advise that you work slowly through the program and not jump ahead.
If you have any question or concerns with our “TOOLS”, you can contact at [email protected]. We are the Support Specialist for The Panic Center and are open to any questions or concerns you may have.
Keep strong, it will get better.
Josie
______________________________
The Panic Center Support Team.
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| starsher |
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10-19-2004 @ 12:12 AM |
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Joined: Oct. 2004
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Hello , I have just joined this program and im hoping it works, I only have panic attacks while driving, somedays i much better than others, I find that most times i have much more anxiety going than coming back from work . Perhaps Im thinking if I made it here I can make it back very frustrating for me.
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| Josie, Support Specialist |
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10-18-2004 @ 7:08 PM |
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Moderator
Joined: Mar. 2004
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Zing,
You have come to the right place! Please feel free to roam the site at your own pace. If you look to the left of the screen under "TOOLS" you will find many supportive tests. These tests are not diagnostic tools and are not a replacement or substitute for a physician's advice. The purpose of these tests is to prepare you with information that you can present to your physician. When you're finished the test, you can either print your Final Report or email it directly to your doctor.
We also have developed a Panic Program. This program is 12-weeks and involves the tools mentioned above. Each session is based on the previous session, so we strongly advise that you work slowly through the program and not jump ahead.
If you have any question or concerns with our “TOOLS”, you can contact at [email protected]. We are the Support Specialist for The Panic Center and are open to any questions or concerns you may have.
Keep us posted,
Josie
______________________________
The Panic Center Support Team.
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| CanadianMel |
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10-18-2004 @ 7:02 PM |
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Joined: Sep. 2004
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Hi Rosey,
I have the same feeling of wanting to cry but it just not happening. Its really weird, i think it is just a build up of anxiety and our bodies trying to find some way of getting rid of it. Sometime though I ball my eyes our for no apparant reason, i think that is more depression...I'm not really depressed but the panic makes me depressed so I cry when I get panicky. It sometimes is a good release.
Like I said on a previous post, I took my first paxil cr yesterday and today I could not stop crying, don't know if its the med or just because i'm so upset about having to take it...probably the latter considering everyone says it takes at least a week to kick in. Everyone on this board is great, its nice to have a place to express your fears to others who understand. 
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| zing1 |
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10-18-2004 @ 6:32 PM |
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Joined: Oct. 2004
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hello,glad to have come across this site.17 years ago i had my first panic attack while approching a bridge on the highway that goes over the mississippi river. i was afraid to cross that bridge for a couple of years until i could no longer drive over it at all. the first problem was not getting help right away. after seeing my doc i got some meds and talked to phyc. it got better after time but was always on my mind however i could drive over it or any other bridge. this past summer i had another small attack but it totally shut me down i did not want to drive over any bridge or any ramp (ect) that did not have an out. as of now can i drive over small non highway bridges. i did go back to my doctor and need stay on a managment program. starting here will help me
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| Rosey |
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08-17-2004 @ 8:02 PM |
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Joined: Aug. 2004
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Thank you Casey and thank you Michell for responding. After I was panicking for five long hours monday midnight to 5 a.m. (not exaggerating)i finally went to sleep for about an hour and a half. i woke up rested and grateful to be alive but still shaky and a little apprehensive (foggy) later that day i visited with a friend and explained to her what had happened and what I had read on the site. She asked me why I didn't just cry and I told her I was afraid of what would happen because I was already so terrified. So, I am glad to know this Michelle. I did cry with my friend a little about my mom's death and a young friend of ours (15) that just died recently and some of the fogginess cleared up (if that makes any sense at all). so, really thank you. i am going to visit an endocronologist (spelling?)to see if any of this could be hormonal.
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| maggiepie |
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08-17-2004 @ 6:22 PM |
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Joined: Jul. 2004
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Hi Rosey,
I just wanted to reply to your 2 questions. I will sometimes cry when I get a panic attack, and crying actually helps me. Crying actually made my panic attack go away. I think because crying can make your feelings come out, instead of the feelings being bottled up inside. Also, I find that I am more panicky during certain times of my cycle - also more depressed.
Michelle
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| Casey, Support Specialist |
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08-16-2004 @ 8:53 AM |
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Moderator
Joined: May. 2004
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Hi Rosey,
Welcome to the site!
You have come to the right place! Please feel free to roam the site at your own pace. If you look to the left of the screen under "TOOLS" you will find many supportive tests. These tests are not diagnostic tools and are not a replacement or substitute for a physicians advice. The purpose of these tests is to prepare you with information that you can present to your physician. When you're finished the test, you can either print your Final Report or email it directly to your doctor.
We also have developed a Panic Program. This program is 12-weeks and involves the tools mentioned above. Each session is based on the previous session, so we strongly advise that you work slowly through the program and not jump ahead.
If you have any questions or concerns with our "TOOLS" you can contact our support department at [email protected].
Looking forward to hearing from you soon! Be sure to post often and let us know how everything is going. You will find lots of information and support on this site. Others will be responding to your questions soon.
Casey
_____________________________
The Panic Center Support Team
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| Rosey |
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08-16-2004 @ 6:17 AM |
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Joined: Aug. 2004
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Hi. This is my first posting. It is 5 a.m. and I was freaking out since midnight. I am so glad to have found this site. I actually think reading through all this stuff has calmed me down. I plan to discuss this with my therapist who I have just started seeing.
I didn't realize until I read the other postings that what I have been experiencing in the car is panic. Just thinking about it can start to scare me. I, too, feel kind of dizzy (not sleepy) but like I'm out of control and going to wreck the car if I don't "snap out of it". And then 5 seconds later I'll be fine and think, "what in the world was that" and then 20 seconds later feel it again. I hate it!
It usually occurs when I am tired (which I am alot because I can't remember the last time I slept a full night)and it's night time and I believe my vision isn't good enough for the road I'm on. Like on two-lane highways with big trees blocking the moonlight.
I am looking forward to learning and growing from this site. Thank you all for sharing. God is good and He has truly blessed me through each of you. I'm not goofin'. I was FREAKING OUT! I was afraid my husband was going to take me to the hospital and the white coats would shoot me up with meds and I would die that way because nobody really could understand what was going on in my head. I could NOT snap out of it and believe me I tried. I walked and walked outside, danced, talked and shouted to myself, (then I really thought I was crazy), anyway, apparently you all understand and I am just thankful you're here.
Oh, two questions... 1. does anyone every feel like they need to cry because they are so scared but the tears won't come or that if you cry it will make you freak out more? That is really bothersome to me. The whole thing is. I'm done. really, for now. thanks.
2. does anyone have any idea if these attacks are at all related to menstrual cycles?
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| Dave |
08-14-2004 @ 1:11 AM |
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Joined: Aug. 2004
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I can totally relate to this topic. I have had a majority of major panic attacks while on the highway. In the past I was reckless and stupid, and I would drive while very drunk. I would be cruising up the highway with a case of beer beside me, or a bottle of whiskey. Because I couldn't get there any other way.
I've grown up since then, and realized the error of my ways. I mostly just try to grin and bear it now. I have a job that requires me to drive to many different locations. It's hell for me most of the time, and I feel like I'm about to totally break down alot. I think I just take it moment to moment, and I think of how I've come through this before.
Other than that, I don't know what to say. *L*
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| Miggwilson |
08-04-2004 @ 4:16 PM |
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Joined: Aug. 2004
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Hi...I have had trouble crossing bridges for only a few years. It seems to be getting worse. Going on long trips to other States not knowing if I'll run into a bridge or not takes most of the fun out of the trip itself. For example...I can drive from Michigan to Florida and can only note a few problems...Toledo, Dayton, Knoxville, and one near Ft. Myers. Most of the trip is flat or hilly without problems. I generally have my wife cross the bridge for me but what happens if your committed to crossing and can't pull over? Just this past weekend...I was going on an unfamiliar bridge on a trip to Niagara Falls and I put the car in reverse (on the bridge no less) and backed down from it. It's awful. I am glad I am not the only one. I thought there could not be a phobia for this type of thing until recently. Going over bridges near your home can probably be handled by repeated passings as the writer posted above...but what about unfamiliar ones...How long? How high? Can I stop and pull over? I seem to have two issues: the loss of control feelings when crossing and that's it's man made and I get the feeling it's going to fall apart as I cross it. Just strange. I know it's irrational but I can't seem to help it. I also have a fear of heights to go along with it. What a party! I do not believe the heights is the big thing but it might be...I can't seem to self-diagnose the cause(s). I'll keep reading...Chime in when you can!Text
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| Carmela |
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08-03-2004 @ 1:13 AM |
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Joined: Jul. 2004
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All I have to say is ,"PRAY!"
It really helps. If you really believe, he willj answer your prayers. Get on your knee's and ask him to help you, in the name of Jesus. He will help you. He may even make a miricle happen. He is God! He is the creator. All you have to do is ask?
Carmela
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| derran |
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08-03-2004 @ 12:19 AM |
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Joined: Aug. 2004
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Hi. I very much relate to this. I suffer from very high anxiety levels and at times very severe depression. I have just gotten over a major depression but I am still left with anxiety levels that just cannot seem to be totally controlled. I feel like an absolute prisoner. I used to get panicky on the highway but I never thought that much about it. I would cut down on coffee etc and usually the panic attacks would subside. In 1991, I was diagonsed with HIV and was working in a company that involoved a very long commute here in Atlanta. The traffic here is some of the worst in the US. I thought I was loosing my mind and I could hardly get to work. Many times, I did not arrive on time. In the past two years, I have also been diagnosed with cancer which so far has been controlled but that brought on more stress etc. My partner of 6 years has to leave permanently tommorow because he cannot immigrate legally and I am afraid I will be in constant panic. All of my anxieties, fears etc seem to get worse once I get on the freeway. It is just a nightmare. I am on Effexor, Luvox and now Lexapro. I take ativan as needed. I have to take an ativan to even think about getting on the freeway. I am fine on city streets---where I have more control. I would love to have contact with people who suffer as I do and share my experiences and listen to others. I welcome all comments.
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| Posted By |
Discussion Topic: Panic on the highway
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