new agoraphobic fear

[Rising Phoenix]

since I became agoraphobic I have been afraid of driving cars...I have panic attacks and well in the midst, it feels like driving drunk, so I have barely driven in 7 years. As of the last 6 weeks though, I have developed a fear of even riding in a car....it is horrible....sweats, shaking, can't breath, just being a passanger, even going to my doctors... I've spoken with my docs about it, but really, not much can be done, I am already on anti-anxiety and anti-psycotic drugs....

anyone else ever have such an increase in symptoms during a stressful time?

[Ariana Celeste]

1. yes

if you are under a lot of stress and already susceptible to panic attacks, naturally the more stress you are under...

i never got a license in part due to my agoraphobia. ok, i can drive, i have no problem with that. but the thought of doing it under scrutiny? it scares the shit out of me. so eventually i just let my permit expire, and got a state ID and quit even thinking about trying. i had convinced myself there was no way i could handle a driving test without having a panic attack on the road. only recently have i put serious thought into trying again.

lately i have been going through some very trying times as well. it has made my panic attacks much more frequent and severe. sometimes simply feeling my pulse rate jump, or forgetting to breathe for a moment, will cause me to have an attack- because those are usually symptoms of an attack right, so feeling them i get scared of having an attack, and boom. im freaking out.

just try to take it slow, honey. i know that's easier said then done. but you will get through this. :hug:

[Rising Phoenix]

2. thanks for you reply

I have a license, have kept it valid, though I never use it. This new fear is very debilitating, I missed a party tonight because of it. I hope that it goes away as my stress levels go down. I hope things become easier for you....:hug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

3. Oh, yeah

It's the classic agoraphobic/panic disorder situation — that sense of not being in control.

Does who's driving make a difference? I felt less anxious with people I thought were good drivers, especially if they were friends who understood.

I'm curious, though — why are you on an anti-psychotic? I'm no pharmacologist, but it seems that could make it worse.

Big ol' :hug: :hug: for ya.

[Rising Phoenix]

5. the driver does make a difference

I'm on the anti-psychotic because of my bipolar

thanks for the hugs... :hug:

[EFerrari]

4. Yes, and I'm on the other side, driving a sexy red car.

This may sound weird but have you tried talking to yourself out loud? Not meant to be medical advice at all, just something that helped me so much.
,
"It's okay, sweetie."

"You are fine. It's just like walking down xxxx Street. You've done that a bunch of times."

"It's okay to be scared. You will be just fine, like you always are. Watch."

It goes out of your mouth into your ear and somehow affects your brain. I don't know why. :shrug:

Hang in, Mrs. Sniffa. If I can do this, you can do it.

:hug:

[Rising Phoenix]

6. thanks sweetie