Driving, an absolutely normal part of adulthood, is often considered a symbol of independence. It gives you the means to cover large distances with full autonomy, but it can also be anxiety-provoking, especially on highways or during rush hours.
For some people, this seemingly normal activity can become a harrowing experience, going way beyond normal anxiety and ultimately ending in a full-fledged panic attack.
The idea of having panic attacks while driving can make even the easiest commute the most daunting challenge of your life. The tightening grip of anxiety and the fear of losing control over your vehicle can make you battle with your mind for survival.
If you are among the one-quarter of drivers who are prone to extreme anxiety and panic attacks during driving, do not worry! [1] Understanding the issue and its causes can help you prevent a panic attack in a car in the future.
Wondering what’s causing you to experience panic attacks as soon as you get behind the wheel? Let’s explore some common causes:
Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder is classified as an anxiety disorder that causes individuals to suffer from regular sudden panic attacks with no apparent trigger. [2] This means these individuals can get an attack at any time, including when they are driving.
It is common for people with an underlying panic disorder to experience ongoing fear and anxiety about having another panic attack. This excessive worry itself plays a precipitating role in triggering another panic attack.
General Sitting Pains
Sometimes, driving can lead to various sensations and pains that become a trigger for panic attacks. It is particularly true for people with panic disorder who are overly sensitive to how their body feels. So if such people sense any light pains, leg weakness, or elevated heart rate, they may develop a panic attack
Anxiety About Driving
A lot of people are anxious when it comes to driving which increases their possibility of getting a panic attack. Anxious drivers worry about driving long distances, using unknown routes, going above a certain speed, being shouted at by other drivers, or driving in bad weather. Whatever trigger is present, it may increase their level of anxiety, potentially leading to a panic attack.
Phobias
Some people can experience panic attacks triggered by underlying phobias. For instance, if you have a phobia of tunnels or bridges, crossing them in your car may make you anxious, triggering a panic attack.
Previous Car Accident
You are more likely to get panic attacks while driving if you have a history of car accidents, especially when the accident caused severe damage to the vehicle or the driver. In such circumstances, driving may trigger symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, making you believe that you will get into another accident, and ultimately pushing you into a panic attack. [3]
Encountering Stressful Situations Before Driving
Stress is the primary precipitant of panic attacks. Hence, the risk of these attacks automatically increases if you encounter a stressful situation before starting your car journey. These stressful situations can be related to relationships, work, or academics.
Driving Hyperventilation
Anxiety about driving may be associated with rapid breathing. Keep your seatbelt correctly fastened; loosening or removing it is not a treatment for panic. In people with anxiety, this hyperventilation can easily trigger a panic attack.
Previous Life Stressors
A history of abuse, anxiety, trauma, or another life stressor can put you in a state of long-term anxiety and stress. This ongoing stress makes you more vulnerable to experiencing panic attacks at any time, including while driving.
If you think you are experiencing a panic attack while driving or even when you are thinking of driving, look out for the following signs and symptoms: [4]
- Shaking or trembling
- Nausea
- Profuse sweating
- Paresthesia (numbness and tingling)
- Feeling out of control
- Hyperventilation
- Feeling dizzy
- A racing heart
- A feeling of being choked
- Feelings of frustration, confusion, and hopelessness
- Shortness of breath or chest tightness
- Chest pains
Remember that you do not need to experience all of the symptoms mentioned above to be struggling with a panic attack.
Keep your attention on the road and move to a safe place to stop and park without sudden maneuvers. Once parked, gentle breathing may help. New persistent chest pain, severe breathing difficulty or collapse with failure to recover requires emergency help; do not assume it is panic or drive yourself for care.
Panic attacks themselves are usually not life-threatening, but similar symptoms may have another medical cause and can impair safe driving. So why is it so important to manage them if they happen during driving?
Accidents
Sudden panic attacks that occur while you are driving always carry a risk of making you commit mistakes. For instance, you may lose focus, swerve suddenly, or pull over to the side of the road without checking road clearance which can have dangerous consequences for you and other drivers. [5]
Worsening Anxiety
Panic attacks can be extremely distressing, particularly when they occur while you are behind the wheel. If you already have a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder or panic disorder, these frequent attacks can worsen their symptoms, inducing a detrimental effect on your overall mental well-being.
Overly Cautious Driving
Panic attacks while driving can make you an overly cautious driver. While this attitude may feel safer, it can put you at a greater risk on the road.
For instance, you may slow down excessively before turning a corner or drive significantly below the speed limit which can lead to a collision. Moreover, slow driving can distract you more easily, which also increases the risk of accidents. [6]
Stop Future Driving
Sometimes, you feel so terrified of having another panic attack behind the wheel that you stop driving altogether. This can negatively affect your professional and social life while increasing your fear of driving.
If you frequently experience panic attacks while driving, learning how to manage them is imperative to stop them from worsening. Fortunately, getting these attacks under control with the right support and techniques is possible.
While many people seek help from a therapy program, many self-care tips can also prove useful in managing panic attacks while driving.
Decide whether to continue or pullover
If symptoms affect safe driving, keep your attention on the road while moving to a safe place to stop and park. Do not resume until you are fit to drive; seek help if symptoms persist or medical warning signs occur.
If there is no immediate safe stopping place, focus on controlling the vehicle and reaching the nearest safe place to stop. Do not attempt distracting coping exercises while driving.
Gradual exposure can be planned with a qualified therapist when you are fit to drive. It does not mean continuing to drive while impaired or guarantee that panic attacks will not recur.
Question your catastrophic thoughts
What goes in your mind when you drive or think about driving? Do you worry a lot about getting into the worst-case scenario, like getting caught by a speed camera, crashing, or losing your way? If yes, these catastrophic thoughts are what’s triggering your panic attacks.
What you need to do is learn how to challenge these thoughts by recognizing their irrationality. Remind yourself that these thoughts are baseless and discard them before they lead to a panic attack in the car.
Focus on the present
The next time you worry about driving, pause for a second and check: are you focusing too much on what will happen in the future?
Dwelling on all the bad things that can happen to you in the near or distant future can create unnecessary panic. Sometimes, it can signal your body to get ready for an expected danger, pushing it into a hyper-alert state for no reason.
Learn to live in the moment without worrying too much about the future to stop your panic attacks. Mindfulness is the best way to do so as it helps you focus on the present without worrying about the future.
Pay attention to how you feel when you are anxious
The next time you feel anxious about driving, notice what you do to feel better. Some common mechanisms that people rely on to relieve driving-related anxieties include the following:
- Avoiding driving to unfamiliar places
- Avoiding driving on certain routes or at certain times
- Heavily searching the internet to get traffic information
- Spending excessive amounts of time to map out new routes
- Quitting driving altogether
Some avoidance can maintain anxiety, but stopping when unsafe is appropriate. Discuss a gradual return with a clinician. The following coping activities are for times when you are safely parked or away from driving:
- Talking to someone, including a loved one or a mental health therapist
- Exercising to relieve stress and tension
- Watching relaxing videos only while safely parked, never while driving
- Listening to your favorite podcast or music
These strategies may help some people, but do not guarantee relief or safe driving. Road safety and appropriate medical assessment come first.
Avoid using substances
Panic attacks can be very stressful and may tempt you to rely on drugs or alcohol to cope. While substance use may provide temporary relief, it can potentially worsen your mental and physical health while increasing the risk of more panic attacks in the future. Driving under the influence can also make you more vulnerable to accidents. Do not drive after drinking alcohol or while impaired by drugs or medicines. Seek treatment support for substance use; if physically dependent on alcohol, obtain medical advice before stopping abruptly.
If you feel like you have started experiencing panic attacks while driving more frequently, seeking professional help is the best way forward. Consider visiting your primary healthcare doctor or a mental health professional for an initial assessment and diagnosis. Based on their assessment, these professionals can direct you to the best available treatments.
Many therapeutic programs are currently available for people with driving anxieties and panic attacks. These programs take place in a safe space and give you a chance to work through your feelings and thoughts that trigger panic attacks.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Also known as ACT, acceptance and commitment therapy focuses on teaching how to accept anxious thoughts and let go of them so they do not affect your feelings. ACT also focuses on the dissipation of fear and worry through simple techniques. You can apply these techniques to stop your anxiousness before it intensifies into a panic attack.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Also known as CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy is a technique that teaches you how to identify, challenge, and replace negative thoughts to avoid panic attacks. It also helps you learn relaxation techniques and mindfulness to stop your anxious thoughts from getting out of control. [7]
Exposure Therapy
This therapy exposes you to things that trigger panic attacks, such as driving, while teaching you various coping techniques to deal with such situations. The exposure takes place in a safe and controlled environment so that you do not feel overwhelmed and you get a chance to practice your coping skills in real time. [8]
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