Are you scared to drive period or scared about finding your way there? I finally got navigation and it took alot of the fear of driving away for me but, honestly, that was mostly because of my ineptitude with directions. Have you ever tried meditation? I think breathing exercises are one of the best and easiest ways to calm anxiety and give a pause to worry. Can you possibly try driving ahead of time or going with someone..or having someone drive with you ahead of time just so you can go through the motions once with someone with you. Most importantly, Please don't be aggravated with yourself for worrying. Everyone has their own issues, some we may think our silly or trivial. Everyone. Don't make a problem into another problem. Take care of yourself and accomadate yourself as much as possible with the anxieties you have..sometimes you may have to make allowances for yourself for certain issues, you may have to do things a different way then most people. It's okay, we all have these things. Really.

Thank you for the advice and the reassurance. I have had depression long before the panic attacks and agoraphobia started. The depression really makes me hate and blame myself sometimes. It's nice to hear someone say that I'm not just being silly. I get a lot of grief at home about how I could go out it's just that I don't want to. Sometimes I blame myself when I shouldn't. Thank you again. I'm so glad I found this support group, I like it here already. If anyone has any more suggestions for me before Monday feel free to add more replies. :-)

Tell yourself you are not going to worry about this now-Every time the thought comes in your head. And tell yourself you will worry about it
on Monday. For some reason giving yourself permission to worry but not now works.

I know exactly how you feel. I have an up coming event that is in the heart of a big city. I will not be driving but I still have severe panic attacks while riding in a car and I know the traffic(8 lines) is going to be horrible so I have worried myself sick about this event and its not even here yet. I just read something that said that anxiety is....trying to change the past (which is done and gone) and trying to control the future (which hasn't even gotten here yet). Live in the moment. So again I know how you feel and will be saying a prayer for you. Good Luck.

It is very common to have anticipatory anxiety days before you have to do something, and it can make the panic build up all weekend. One way to overcome it is to visualize in your mind getting in the car, and driving the roads you need to use to get to the doctor's office. Just lay down and close your eyes and imagine yourself getting in the car, turning the key, heading down the road and making all the turns you need to make. After doing this a few times in your head, it can get easier to do it for real, and you can also tell yourself "I just did this in my head, so I can do this for real".
If you feel more nervous after doing this, then find someone to take you to the appointment, or call a cab. It is much more important for you to get to the appointment than it is to drive, and you don't want to miss it if you have a freak out in the morning on Monday.

Congrats SAH! Going to therapy will help you with these attacks and your other anxiety-related symptoms.

Try keeping yourself busy and distracted. This may sound odd but when I have anticipation anxiety about an upcoming event I sometimes do other things that make me anxious, but LESS anxious, in the mean time. That tricks my mind into refocusing on the less anxiety provoking trigger for a bit.

The therapist will teach you better techniques. Good luck!

I liked the suggested to take a test drive.
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I recently had an interview by a penel (the most intimidating) and had consulted with a counselor prior to going because I was snowballing (as you described). I tend to like thinking and so "not thinking" wasn't an option. The counselor I spoke with suggested that the pre-briefing was a good idea. What this meant was to "prepare" myself for all of the possible challenges that could arise (for me it was triggers). I brought peppermint oil (which helps snap my senses) and relied on deep-breathing. I broke down following the interview--but at least it was not DURING the interview.
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My point: The more "prepared" you are, the better you will cope through it. Also give yourself a time and place to process in the aftermath.
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Hope this was helpful.

CORRECTION: I recently had an interview by a "panel."
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Sheesh!

If Im going somewhere I dont routinely drive to google map it and plan the route in my head. Tomorrow I have take my sis to the garden nursery. I planned the trip out on google maps and feel less stress knowing I can take a familiar road. Maybe u can do that too. I had a GPS but it kept trying to redirect me to the expressway. It drove me nuts.

You were caught off guard..All those uncomfortable feelings..No biggie.
So how do you prevent any more anxiety..You need a strategy..Don't follow its path, by producing fear, and falling into the loop.........What I do is, instead of avoiding going out and admitting to myself that fear exists,
..I create a new dialogue, which will "leap-frog" the fear zone that was created by my initial reaction to the uncomfortable feelings..
I will NEVER avoid fear..I will confront it HEAD-ON, and redefine it,
. scrambling the thoughts that repeat themselves when I go outside.....So here I go....Ive stepped outside.(Inner dialogue).."Damm, what a beautiful day"
'..I love it... I love IT ..perfect baby..perfect..I want ..I want...I want this...a perfect day to go shopping.......Yes..!!!!(a little enthusiasm won't hurt)
OK stop there............................When I tell myself that I want something I desire the task at hand, I create a new pathway into my thought process..As soon as I return to apprehension...I fall into the previous loop, in my memory..and I create panic, as before...It takes practice..But...bottom line ..a new pathway of thought needs to replace the old one..or the previous results of panic will repeat themselves....I want it ...Iwant it, again and again .....with ease and comfort will emulate..integrate...and simulate new fresh synapses in your brain....I had agorophobia for many years,,I havent had any such feelings since 1995..It works....Whenever you dont want to do something.( because of fear and apprehension) do the exact opposite..."I can hardly wait to do this" ...."Go out..shiopping..subway..wahatever"..It STACKS the positive thought in your favor....Let them work for you not against you....The power of leverage. will PUSH you forward , because you want to.do(cognitive thinking)........hence ..following the path of least resistance...instead of PULLing you back.....thinking about what you dont want to do.....Peace!

I know it can be nerve-racking but you are going to make it through this. I am very proud of you for seeking help and this is your first step towards discovering yourself. Everything is going to be okay. I am always here for you.

Guin

I made it there yesterday! :-) Thank you all for the advice and support. You guys are incredible. Big hugs to all of you!

Hey.. I remember too well when I had to drive myself to my therapist. It was terrifying for sure. Back then, (in the 80's) I did not have a cell phone. What I would suggest you do is to leave very early to allow time for you stop if you need to. Ask a friend (one that understand) if she can be your buddy. If you feel a PA coming on, pull over and call your friend until the PA has gone. It will be hard -- no doubt but I tell ya, once you get to your therapist, the feeling of accomplishment that you will feel is worth it!

I want to say thank you to several of you...I read your posts and they aer helping me.

I can agree with sandsomemore......"sometimes not thinking helps!!!
yes thank u too

Goodness, do I understand where you are coming from! Driving scares me immensely, too. I worry about having car trouble and, also, about having a wreck. I wish I was rich enough to have a person to drive me around. The anticipation of having to drive is just as bad as the actual driving.

Today is Monday. I hope you were able to make it to your appointment. I hope it was helpful.