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Anxiety while drivng and/or just before. What to take?

Hi, I've been dealing with anxiety sometimes before I drive or while I'm driving. I've been going to therapy sessions which have been working.  I'm better then I use to be.  I'm still dealing with the worrying, weak or tingling legs before I go somewhere or while I'm driving, etc...  I've been taking Valerian Passion Flower herbal capsules that seem to still be working but I'm not quite sure if they're effective still.  Maybe I need something stronger and/or better? I know that there's a lot of anxiety medications that impair driving but is there some medication out there that will help with this type of anxiety?  Thank you,

Bri
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Avatar universal
Well I have severe anxiety while driving. I'd rather have someone with me before I go anywhere!! I have a cellular phone and that's isn't enough anymore. I panic all of the time. I have them sometimes before I drive and while I am driving. I feel like I cannot breathe and I am dizzy, unable to think positive. Is there any tips you can give me? I need all the help I can get
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Avatar universal
17 years ago, I had an incident while driving.  A man tried to run into my car and when I came to a stop light, he tried to tear the door of my car, while threatening to kill me.  I was 3 months pregnant, and my 11 month old daughter was in the back seat.  I had to pull her over the front seat and drive to the nearest police station.  The guy was high on drugs.  Anyway, since then, I have suffered from severe panic attacks.  Sometimes I go a year without them, but when they return, they hang around 5 or 6 months, especially when I'm driving.  I only have to drive 6 miles to work, and sometimes it's almost more than I can bear.  I feel breathless, dizzy, and out of control.  I do take Xanax as needed, and try to take one about 1/2 hour before leaving home.  That does help, but am desperate for a cure as well.  You are in my prayers!
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977053 tn?1248490023
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I CANT EVEN DRIVE TO THE CORNER WITHOUT THAVING A PANIC ATTACK AND THEY LAST A LONG TIME. IVE TRIED SEVERAL MEDICATIONS EFFEXOR,ZOLOFT,PAXIL. I THINK PROZAC IS WHAT CAUSED THEM THATS  WHEN IT STARTED FOR NO REASON,MAYBE I WAS ALLERGIC I HAVE NO CLUE. I HATE GOING THRU THIS. IVE BEEN ON ZOLOFT NOW FOR OVER A YEAR IT DID NO GOOD SO I AM NO WEANING OFF THAT WHICH IS HAS BEEN HORRIBLE. I WISH I COULD BE HYPNOTIZED AND MAKE THIS FEAR OD DRIVNG GO AWAY!! I WAS WONDERING WHERE I CAN GET THE HERBAL REMIDIES ALSO?
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Avatar universal
You might want to add taurine in the morning; it's the amino acid the body uses to make GABA, which is the body's relaxant.  And holy basil helps regulate cortisol.  There are also homeopathic remedies, such as gymnesta sylvestre or something like that and ignatia amara that might help, as well.  Kava is a very good herb for relaxation, but don't take the standardized version if you have any history of liver disease.  
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480448 tn?1426948538
Welcome.  You'll find a world of support here...and a whole lot of people who can comiserate with what you're going through.

You are very smart to address it right away instead of waiting.  A lot of people do that and the longer you wait, the harder it gets.  Just like a child falling off his/her bike.  The quicker they hop back on...the quicker they can overcome their fear.  Same kind of thing.

Now there are different types of driving fears.  Can you elaborate a bit so we can offer you some ideas?  Have you had an incident while driving...or are you just anxious before/while driving?  If the latter...are you fearing a certain thing? Like passing out while driving?  Car accident?  Losong control?

Depending on what is bothering you...I can give you some tips on how to work on overcoming your fears.

Definitely find a good therapist on top of the meds.  If you were Rx'ed an antidepressant..they can take 4-6 weeks (sometimes longer for some people) before the full effect is really felt...so give that some time.

Hope to hear more...remember you are not alone in this batte...there are many of us out there fighting the same demons.  Hang in there.  :0)
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Avatar universal
i was about to give up on driving. this research was my last option. this just started a couple of months ago plz i need help overcoming this my doctor prescribed me some meds but i havent taken them im going to try them out tomorrow. any tips to help i would greatly appreciate..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, thanks for your comments.  Makes me feel good that I'm not the only one out there.  I've been doing CBT with my therapist.  Been finding out other things too.  I'm going to the doctor on Thursday to talk to him about getting medication for my driving related anxiety.  My therapist is going to fax him a letter too of what I'm suffering from so he can give me something that'll suit me.  Thanks again for you comments.
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Hi Bri.  Let me tell you that I can TOTALLY relate.  Completely.  And, so can a LOT of other people who live with anxiety.  One of the BIGGEST fears us anxiety sufferers have is the fear of "losing control", or "being out of control", therefore it is pretty obvious why driving causes us a lot of grief...it is a task where we must maintain a HIGH level of control at all times.

Sounds like you are on the right track (no pun intended...lol).  Keep the therapy up.  Have you looked into CBT?  (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).  CBT is very effective if you can find a good therapist for overcoming fear when driving.

If you want to look into prescription meds for occasional use...it IS possible..I have used them when I have had to drive outside of my "comfort" zone.  The best way to do it is to start with the lowest possible dose....and try taking it a few times when you DON'T have to drive...so you can see how you react to it.  I have found that when I'm pretty "keyed" up before having to drive...a small dose of Xanax or Ativan is just enough to take the edge off (I take it about 1/2 hour prior)...but being in a heightened state of awareness (secondary to the anxiety)...the meds do not make me drowsy.  If they do...it isn't until later (hours later)...after my driving is done.

You may find that just the continued therapy will be enough.  Of course you will have uncomfy moments...that's a given, but the more you do it successfully...the better you will get.  Check out my one journal...I MAKE myself drive a certain route once a month that is extremely anxiety producing for me.  While the actual drive hasn't gotten a ton better...I push through it every time, and the sense of accomplishment I have afterwards is unbeatable!

Hang in there...you're not alone!
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