Panic Attacks Support Group
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...
Hi all, this is the first time I've ever joined a support group or anything since my anxiety and panic *reactions* began about 2 years ago. They seemed to begin with big life changes (graduating from my masters program, and beginning clinicals in my field in a different city.) My first panic attack in 2018 happened while driving on the highway during a 1.5 hour trip. While I've always had some baseline GAD, this was something totally new. Over the next few weeks my anxiety was very debilitating and I began getting terrified of highway driving. Fast forward and it began getting better with months and months without an attack and I was driving 20-30 miles on the highway occasionally (I live close to work and really don't have to drive far all that often) and without problem or just minimal anxiety.
About a month ago I had another panic attack while on the highway at night on my way home from a colleagues house. My anxiety is not nearly as intense as it was previously in general but my driving anxiety is back. I can drive to work, around town, couple miles on the highway, and if my fiance is with me I've driven the nearly two hour drive to my family's- no big deal. But if I'm alone and think about driving long distances that feeling of doom sweeps in.
Again, we are going through some life changes: buying a house, getting married, and I'm going to school for my PhD and leaving the work force to do so.
I'm looking for support from people who may be dealing with similar things- I want to tackle this. It scares me to feel "out of control" over my own life.
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Ever since I stopped doing therapy because of insurance, I've been feeling that old tense and irritable sense of anxiety and stress. I hate that. I was making so many strides and changes during therapy, my therapist would acknowledge all of my progress and accomplishments, and I miss that reassurance. Today I thought about it, and I made those changes! She would always tell me that I chose to...
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I'm horrified! I knew my insurance would go up due to getting a new car but I didn't expect it to go up over $2,000. I did have an accident with the snow/ice in the winter. I was just telling my brother that I have had my car since March 2, 2026 and have only spent $75 on an oil change. Now this! I called another insurance company and their quote was over $4,000. I guess I have to pay...
https://www.dailystrength.org/group/anxiety
I completely get what you are saying about driving on the highways, or far distances alone. I got the same thing when my anxiety first started, 20 years ago. It is really good that you are self aware about why this is happening... that you are going through a lot of life changes now. I would suggest to seek out a therapist to talk to about this. I feel they can help you to manage your stress and also to help you with your driving phobia. But try not to worry, I feel this is only temporary.
You can always vent to us. We understand. You are not alone.
So you are definitely not alone in this feeling!