Really Need Help

[J_I_M44]

       Im 24 and my anxiety started about 3 years ago during a road trip.  We had a long weekend of drinking and during the car ride home I suffered my first attack.  I freaked out because I had never experienced one, I thought I was going to die and we we're far from home which made it worse.  Somehow I made it, but for the next 4-5 months I suffered from severe anxiety, sometimes not being able to leave the house.  As time went by I learned to manage my anxiety, without the help of meds, and my life returned to normal.  I still suffered from minor anxiety, but I could control it.
      Fast forward to three weeks ago, I was driving back to school from home and I was really hungover.  The night before was my birthday and I drink heavily.  I had a severe panic attack while driving down the highway and I had to pull over.  I was scared I was going to die, freak out and crash, and I was worried what if something happens "Im in the middle of nowhere."  Since this incident, my anxiety is back and I have had trouble driving to and from school from my hometown.  My school is only 45 minutes from my house and I have made the drive probably more than an 100 times, so I know im just thinking to much about it. Any help would be great.  I have been missing classes because of my fear of freaking out while driving back to school.

[Bignadz55]

Get on anxiety treatment. I think you would benefit from a low dose of xanax (0.25mg)or (0.5mg) about 15 minutes before your gonna drive. But take it a couple times before bed to see how much it affects you and/or to build tolerance to the heavy sedating effect that is possible. Or a weaker benzodiazepine would work. See a doctor.

[J_I_M44]

Thank all of you for your help. I've realized alcohol is triggering it and I've decided that I'm going to either limit it or give it up all together.  Id rather not have anxiety than have a few hours of fun.  Once I get back to school, I'm going to go talk to a psychologist they provide and go from there. Now I just need to get over my fear I developed of driving.

[mdavis84]

Hi. I also suffer from anxiety. I currently speak with a psychiatrist and do take medication. Sometimes this is the inevitable path we must go down. However, as your anxiety seems triggered by alcohol, I would try to end my alcohol intake, practice some deep breathing while driving, and see if that helps somewhat. If it does not, than it may be time to see a professional. Personally, I started with a psychologist and then moved to a psychiatrist when the first did not help. Your school may even have a psychologist you can speak with for free. They often have tips for coping with anxiety (without medication).

[michigan07]

It seems to me and it's common with anxiety that drinking is brining upon your anxiety. I would advise staying away from alcohol or at the very least limit your intake. In addition as pinkfloyd said seeing a professional such as a therapist might help you overcome your anxiety and perhaps find where it is coming from.

[ThePinkFloyd]

Why don't you try to adress your anxiety issues to some proffesional that will help you dismiss them once and for all?