I live in California I've been driving my whole life. A great driver, better than average. I've jumped out of a plane. I've driven to Lake Tahoe several times and through mountain roads my whole life. Recently, I'm in my mid 40's, I had a panic attack driving out of Lake Isabella on the mountain roads. I couldn't help feeling like I might drive off the edge, even though there was a guardraid there. I determined that I was having a panic attack. (Never experienced that before then.) Now a few years later, I had it again. I had to slow way down and drive on the inside lane (opposite the guardrail) probably to the annoyance of all the other drivers. It seriously p'd me off that I became so incapacitated. It lasted even though I got out and let my wife drive. I had to just surf tik tok and take my mind off the motion. My only solution will be to bring CBD gummies with me next time I'm out. BUt I have a feeling because I had it once, i'm more suseptable to having it again. :( - Mid-40s
Oh Boy, have I been where you are! My suggestion to you is get right back on that horse! About five years ago, I had a dramatic car accident and stopped driving for about six months to a year. I started driving again and I won't go into how I did that but the highway driving, just isn't in the cards for me right now...but, I was determined to drive to my daughter's place that would take about 30 minutes by car and about one hour on back roads. Naturally, I took the back roads and the first time, I only made it about 10 minutes from my home before I had to turn back...I just couldn't go any further. Determine, the next day I tried again and made it about 20 minutes on the back roads and, yes, I couldn't go any further and again turn back for home. OK, now this was really starting to annoy me, I was going to get there come H*ll or high water and I finally did it. I was a little shaky by the time I got there, but I made it and the secret to this is, driving back is a lot easier than driving there because you know you are going home to your comfort zone. So, to make a very long story short, keep trying, even if you only go a few blocks, eventually you will be able to do it and don't forget to reward yourself for your success. I'm a big believer in the reward. It also gives you an incentive. I know that the drive you have to do is a lot further than the drive I did, but the objective is the same and you can use the same basic principals.
I have had this same thing for almost 2 years. It is truly the worst part of my anxiety. I hate it. I am a mom of 3 VERY active kids and driving is just something I HAVE to do.
Go to my profile. In my journals I have listed a few different breathing techniques that have REALLY worked for me. I have used them at home, at work, at my kids games, the grocery store, and even while driving!!
Please check them out, I really hope you can find them helpful like I did =)
Crystal