panic attacks whilst driving

[moozer]

I have an 8 year old, 2 year and a new baby as a single mum. My driving panic started last year when I was going through a break-up. I started the panic when driving back from Devon to Kent and I went around a corner in Bristol and I felt like I was going to fall off the road. My arms go heavy and I feel like I CANNOT CONTROL THE STEERING. I have had this checked several times and have to face the fact that it is me. This has gone on too long and no amount of talking or rescue remedy works. I eventually took CIPRELEX only for 3 days as I felt so low almost severly depressed where i couldnt even talk to my kids without making a real effort and the way I felt scared me. I dont ever feel depressed normally as I am almost manic and not a low person getting loads done in a day. Then I went onto beta blockers but they made me zombie like!!!! but STILL had the severe panic whilst driving.
I now dont know what to do??? Am I giving up on the anti depressants too soon without working through them or was I right that they were not right for me.Is there something else???? today I couldnt drive up the road to the supermarket 5 mins away on a country lane which normally makes me safe. HELP!

[cj29]

Are you currently or have you been in counseling before for this?  For me, talking it through with a professional and learning about your anxiety can give you the knowledge and the tools to confront it.  Were you also nervouse about taking the medication?  I only ask this because, I was initially extremely nervous about taking medication and while I did notice side effects initially, it was probably magnified because any feeling that was out of the ordinary, I attributed to the medication even if they were not related.  These types of medications take time and I noticed a definite benefit after about 3-4 weeks after I started on them.  In my opinion, they work quite well, but we all react to medications differently....keep us posted!

[ticked]

Have you ever gotten into an accident before?

Do you remember what triggered this?

[mammo]

You will become housebound if you don't do something about this.  You need to give the medications a chance, it is often trial and error as to which one will work for us.  This is very frustrating, but once we find the right one...it's well worth it!  Therapy can be very beneficial as well, especially if our anxiety has a root cause.  The cause is typically something traumatic from our past which we never truly dealt with, we merely tucked it neatly away.  But it comes back in the form of anxiety and/or depression demanding to be dealt with.  I suffer with depression, but like you I'm on the go all day long and accomplish so much.  We often don't realize that we are depressed or anxious.  See a psychiatrist so the two of you can determine the best course of treatment for you.  It may be medication or both medication and therapy.  Psychiatrists are most knowlegable when it comes to the medications to treat this, and can refer you to the proper therapist.  You're dealing with an awful lot, and have been through a lot, it's time to get some relief.  I hope this helps and I wish you all the best.

[Persephone3576]

Hi,

I can relate to your situation. While my anxiety is not driving related, I am a single mom who just got back on anti-depressants. I had a VERY difficult time starting them. I was a basket-case for about three weeks, but I knew that this drug would work for me (I took it for 11 years prior). Anyway, my point is, you may need to 1) try to start out on a smaller dosage; 2) stay with someone who can help take care of you and the kids while you're going through the hard part. I know that's hard. I actually went and stayed with my ex-husband! Luckily, we're friends, and he has been through depression, so he was okay with it. I just needed to be around someone else to help me not get lost in my own darkness. And someone who could help with my daughter.

There are other things, too, that might help you. Cognitive behavioural therapy, anti-anxiety meds (although you might need to try them out while not driving first to see how they affect you), breathing techniques. I would seek out a therapist's help.