Panic attacks in the car
Before I get into my car I always start to suffer from panic attacks. Will relaxation tapes help me?
Panic attacks are surprisingly common. They are now thought to be triggered by overbreathing - so-called hyperventilation syndrome. When you are feeling stressed, your breathing pattern changes so you take quick, irregular and shallow breaths to draw in more oxygen. This in turn means you blow out more carbon dioxide - a waste acidic gas produced by your metabolism. If you continue hyperventilating, you may exhale so much carbon dioxide that your blood loses acidity and becomes too alkaline. This causes symptoms of dizziness, faintness and pins and needles. These symptoms heighten your sense of panic so you breathe even faster, blowing out even more carbon dioxide and triggering a panic attack.
Many people who only have occasional panic attacks learn to cope with them through relaxation techniques and breathing exercises, and you may find that a relaxation tape helps - but don't listen to it while driving.
If your symptoms are debilitating, you may benefit from anxiety management training with a behaviour therapist. You will be taught how to reduce your anxiety through relaxation, distraction and reassuring self-statements, such as 'I can cope'.
Ask your GP for advice about joining a therapy group or receiving individual psychotherapy. No Panic the national charity that helps people with all types of anxiety disorder, received 35,000 calls on their helpline last year. Freephone 0808 808 0545, from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm. They are open every day and staffed by trained volunteers.
Many people who only have occasional panic attacks learn to cope with them through relaxation techniques and breathing exercises, and you may find that a relaxation tape helps - but don't listen to it while driving.
If your symptoms are debilitating, you may benefit from anxiety management training with a behaviour therapist. You will be taught how to reduce your anxiety through relaxation, distraction and reassuring self-statements, such as 'I can cope'.
Ask your GP for advice about joining a therapy group or receiving individual psychotherapy. No Panic the national charity that helps people with all types of anxiety disorder, received 35,000 calls on their helpline last year. Freephone 0808 808 0545, from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm. They are open every day and staffed by trained volunteers.
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