Severe panic attacks in cars

bacon?

For reasons unknown, in my early 20's I started suffering from panic attacks when in moving vechiles, trains, cars busses etc...

I've managed to get busses and trains under control for the most part.

But, I freak out when I'm in a car, but only when the car is on a motorway or duel carrigeway.

It's not a fear of being in an accident, its like having no control, like, if I wanted to exit the car at any time, I can't, as it's going 80mph.

I used to freak out on trains, especially the dart... when the piece of crap would just sit idol for what seemed like hours... felt trapped, but really managed to get that under control.

So what's the deal with the car, I've read up online and all I can find is fear of driving... I don't drive a car, but a scooter... but not on motorways!

I can't even identify exactly what this fear is, why and what to do about it.

mille100piedi

I know a person with the same problem. It is a phobia.

Graces7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/92091719#Comment_92091719

And as with so many phobias, irrational.

See your GP initially? These can be helped

"Join date 2004" - How old were you when you made this account?

Anyway to answer your question you have agoraphobia, It's an anxiety disorder. Treatment is usually CBT and antidepressants (e.g Prozac)

Graces7

OP please see your GP rather than accept a diagnosis here.

I was much the same as you several decades ago and it was termed as agoraphobia, personallity disorder and a few other non physical conditions,

It was literally 30 years later that I was blessed to be in the care of a very skilled and respected consulatant as an in patient, and after 3 weeks of very thorough tests and observation and seeing two other consulatants including a psychiatrist, he diagnosed CFS/ M.E It was a liberation to be understood.

We are very complex beings. I sweat when I remember the terrors I went through before that. And all th emeds I was on.

See your GP. Please. It is rational to react as you are when there is something wrong with you that is not making sense at present.

When I knew what this was I rerganised my life and am free of the terrible ordeals you are going through. If I am pushed too far I can still get panic attacks but very very rare now . I know the cause is physical. Abd I was and am able to simplify and organise my life accordingly.

Pissy Missy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2057264572/severe-panic-attacks-in-cars

Definitely sounds like agoraphobia, highly recommend seeing your gp/ getting a referral to psychology services

Cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness/breathing exercises might help

Graces7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119670296#Comment_119670296

Too specialised/focussed on ONE area of experience to be true agoraphobia. That means being terrified of going out of the door. Trust me on that. This s a more focussed phobia rather then the generalised terror that is true agoraphobia,

Yes see your GP of course. "diagnosis" is a specialised field.

Pissy Missy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119670782#Comment_119670782

I didn't realise this is a 2014 thread

Glaceon

This thread is from 2014, is it appropriate to be bumping an old PI thread?

Pissy Missy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119671367#Comment_119671367

Oops didn't even realise, thanks for that