I've had terrible panic while driving , for years , it comes and goes .
I've noticed for me that if I turn the radio off ( too many noises bother me ) it helps . I also keep my midwest center for stress and anxiety tapes in my truck , If I am having a really bad one I pop one in and listen to "Reason" .
Also I do agree that it must be worked thru, exposure therapy is great for this . start small and keep making yourself work thru it . It gets better ,and the more successful trips you make ( successful as in ... you accomplished what you set out to do , whether that be getting milk , or going to an appt ) the easier it makes it next time around.. you gain confidence over the panic .

Quick Tip... if you feel panicky whilst driving?..start by reading the licence plate of the car ahead of you, recite the number out loud to yourself ,then describe the car ie colour, occupants etc, also describe to yourself what else is going on ie i see a lady walking her dog, I can see a traffic signal ahead and so on, try not to let your mind wonder, its important that you get so engrossed in whats happening around you and without even realizing it the panic will have passed, its important that you don't start questioning why or how or where the panic went just accept it or else you will be back to square one!
You guys give this a try! theres no harm in that eh?.
This is a section of a whole theory/method that I've been using for years to deal with panic of which I am currently trying to put down into writing.

Sorry forgot to add, I used to do like Harry suggested stop every 15mins etc but now by using this method I've been able to drive over 200 miles (4 to 5 hours) "alone" non stop!!! may work for others? may not? just try it!

Oh I'm so glad you posted this!! I am lost without my car, but have had awful experiences..but I have over the years been able to now recognize the beginning of a panic attack-I tend to turn the radio to one of the talking stations, as I find the sound of voices more soothing than music, and I talk to myself!! I'll give myself goals, and try and break up my journey in my head.
For example..once I get to that superstore...then once I pass the vets..then the station..I find that by giving myself little mile stones, the journey feels shorter and more manageable and I just focus on getting home, rather than allowing the panic to take control.
I am a very safe driver (no accidents ever-touch wood!) but obviously some days, I look a bit like a crazy person!!

I took my drivers test yesterday after not trying to get my license because of my panic attacks... and I failed because I had an attack :-/

I've slowly developed issues while driving. It started out once in a while in the morning while driving my son to school on the freeway. I thought I was having a heart attack and I went to the ER where the diagnosed panic attacks. I thought it was really weird though that it was ONLY happening while I drove and when I researched my symptoms I found out that they mirrored the symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning. I took my car in and found out that it had an exhaust leak in the pipe RIGHT under the drivers seat. I got it repaired and figured I would feel better. In the meantime I had started to take Zoloft.

After getting the car repaired I continued to have the attacks while driving and they became more frequent. In fact, every time I knew I was going to have to drive on the freeway I would start to freak out as SOON as I got into the car.

I began to drive my other vehicle, thinking that now I was just associating the anxiety with the vehicle itself. At first I felt better but that was short-lived and now I just avoid the freeway. Once in a while I will trick myself into getting on, if it's in the evening and not crowded. I trick myself because I will have mentally routed my drive home but will last minute get on when I go by the onramp. It is a victory for me when I am able to handle going a few miles without the adrenaline, but it is rare that this happens.

I know it's becoming a phobia and I don't know how to stop it! It's embarrassing! It limits my freedom. I love to travel and have taken many long drives but can no longer handle it. My family doesn't really understand, they think I'm being silly for the most part. What do I do about this???

car exhaust gas leaks cause problems that often dont get diagnosed, carbon monoxide doesnt smell and cant be seen

Thank you so much for posting this Harry.I also have terrible painc attacks while driving alone,for years now.I also live out in the country and its a long way to a store,but the driving 15 minutes and stopping sounds like a great idea,and so does a lot of the posts i have read.I also love to listen to music when i do or did drive,and i also have the Midwest center whole worktapes,so i will try the "REASON" ONE TOO.I know i just work myseft up into a panic attack,the what if,i have that real bad,but only when i am driving.My doctor told me to start with baby steps and drive a little each day,a bit farer until i could drive with ease.These all are wonderful tips,in which i plan to use.I need to get this under control because it limits my freedom and there are a lot of times when i want to go somewhere and can't.I am a safe driver too,and my med does not bother me about driving,and also i guess its legal in my state,because my doctor wants me to do this kind of therapy.I got to gain my confidence back,and start driving more.The 2 miles i have drove so far alone,i just tell myseft i am going to be fine and let my mind think of other things,anything to keep my mind off the attack,but neveroff the road.great tips Harry and everyone,i am sure going to use them.If i can control my other panic attacks,i believe i can on the driving ones too.I am ready and willing to give them all a try!!!

I didn't drive for 8 years. I started having panic attacks in my teens, and for 8 long years I didn't drive. When I moved to Georgia, I don't know why, but suddenely, I had to work. Maybe that was the motivation, I don't know, but after 8 years, I finally drove again. Now, the biggest driving fear I need to conquer is the fear of driving long distances away from home. My sister came and let me follow her to Savannah and back for Christmas. She told me she thought I was being a "wus" about the driving thing. It made me feel really bad. I want to be able to drive long distances by myself. But, hey. At least after 8 years of not driving, I can at least drive, now, even if it's not long distances.

I'm a driver by nature, but when my anxiety started I all but stopped driving. If I am having a good day I'll go and do everything in one day and I'll stock up so I dont have to go back out anytime soon. THIS SUCKS!! I hate being confined in the house but trying to get both kids in the car on go run errands about gives me an attack in itself. Plus, if anything were to happen to my kids while I was out I would never ever be able to forgive myself.

Driving was a huge step for me, but I found www.DrivingFear.com awhile ago through this board and it's awesome. I'm a LOT better now, it doesn't really effect me anymore. Even just the free tips may give you some help.

this si a big issue for me and the innitial post was very acurate ad everyone elses as well. I just can't be a pasenger in a car, it freaks me and I do get panicky!! I suppose that if I had to in an emergency/crisis, I could take a cab a tiny distance,but nothing else. I do try sometimes,but it's tough. I also, don't like driving with others in the car, but I think that is just because I worry about having to stop or get an attack (what would they think and so on). Also, I drove to chicago from indiana and felt th panic attack symptoms when I would look down th highway and there was nothing but highway to see haha.Since then I mostly jsut drivnign around town and feel comfortable doing so, but driving out of the city limits just causes panic symptoms....Also, I listen to talk radio am stuff as music does freak me out a bit too much especially if on the highway. Though I love music!? I think it stems from being on a palne and having a panic attack and I was listneing to music, it was sensory overaload.

Great post Harry! Driving is a huge obstacle for panic sufferers. During my cognitive Behavioral Therapy my therapist WANTED me to have panic attacks while driving. The purpose was to prove to myself that you can drive, have the attack, and continue on your way. Which is true! I guess my point is it is the fear of having the panic attack that scares us and usually brings on the panic attack. If we can stop the fear, knowing that panic attacks are not harmful to us they are just body sensations, then we really won't have a problem with driving. I know, easier said than done, trust working on it myself! What i really want to stress here, is that panic attacks really are NOT harmful to us, just very uncomfortable and if we can just "ride the tide" then they will pass and the fear won't be a problem which will decrease our panic attacks. Gee, i hope i made sense!

Thanks for posting this Harry. I started listening to talk radio while driving because it seems to calm me. Most of the time I couldn't even tell you what they're talking about, but it helps. One thing that also helps me is to have cold air blowing on my face.

some people who panic if driving the car alone take their dog with them which calms them enough