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...
I just started going back out the house. Going to the grocery store still shakes me up a lot. I got four kids so there is really no choice but to go. Anywho... Monday I had to travel out of town to get some important paper work. I would say about 20 miles away from our home. I felt the adreneline rushing before I went out the door. But it wasn't that bad. It was like I was getting ready to ride a rollrer coaster. As we started the ride, I felt my muscles tense up. I tried to ignore it, and it worked for about 5 mins. Until I started feeling like I wanted to throw up. Halfway through the ride my body felt like I was fighting myself. By the time we got to our dstination. I could barley walk into the office. I was so tired. My 7yr old son walked in with me and held my hand. It helped to take my mind off how I was feeling. I was ready to lay down! It felt like I just got finished pushing an 18 wheeler. I thought I was going to faint. Soon as I got back to the house I felt a whole lot better! I thought my head was going to pop! It felt like it was being filled with air. I miss just going places and looking forward to a good time.
I live in an area where I take the subway, and don't drive - but my husband and I used to take an 8-to-10- hour drive to see my in-laws about twice a year, and it really used to make me nervous, just anticipating it. We also had my son, who was 18-months-old to about 3-years-old (during the time we would make this trip) with us in the car -
I found that if we stopped often for a break, so I could collect myself, this would help ward off the panic - there's something about thinking that you have to drive straight through to beat a deadline that could stress you out enough to bring on a panic attack - so maybe allowing yourself more time than you need so you could take breaks would help? I know this may not be possible for you -
I'm sorry you both are going through this - I remember how horrible it felt to have panic disorder and be afraid of driving or being in a car -