I had my first every panic attack when I was driving and after that I stop driving for about 3 months..well I ddin't leave my home or my mom either. So i know where your coming from but you have to say NO!! to it and go and drive. it will hurt you unless you let it. I was 18 when I had my first attack and then I went through a 2year program and that helped. I still get nervous in a car and that has been 5 years. we need to Stay strong and postive and you and I both will not be where we were before. Gee I really need to take my onw advice...

Jenk and Dona, Start with something small. I know if I'm already in a panic getting into a car will not help me at all. Try a few test runs with someone in the car with you, then alone,(remember you don't have to leave the drive way). Then try around the block, then down the street. Do these at any pace you feel comfortable with. Have you tried relaxation techniques? What about breathing techniques? Before your drive, prepare by reducing your anxiety level as much as you can. A hot bath, some soothing music, a warm beverage can help. You can also find how helpful it is to use breathing techniques to help you deal with your panic and anxiety. The Panic Program can help you understand more and may help you go about challenging your thoughts. Keep up the good work you both doing excellent. Hope this helps! Josie

Hey I have a attacks while driving even when people are in the car with me. I seem to be ok in the day but if I have to drive at night I am a wreck. I cry most of the way and call my husband on my cell to talk to me. I wish I could give you advice but I need some to

Hi everyone. I hope everyone is well. I haven't posted a while because I have been doing so well. I'm now housesitting for some people off and on for the last month (something i NEVER would have done, i'm 18 and before this month had never spent a night away from home.) The first two days a spent there i was a complete wreck. Anxiety attacks and uncontrollable crying for two days. That wasn't fun, but the thing that awed me the most was throughout it all, I never once thought of going home or having my mom stay over with me, even though she offered. I WANTED to do and show my anxiety that I was aware and accepting of it, but wasn't going to run and hide. I got through those two long days with very little sleep but I DID IT! I've now stayed two more times with NO PROBLEMS!!!!!!! YAYAY!!!!!!!!! Also, I had been putting off getting my drivers license because I was simply too afraid to take lessons (what the hell would I do during a lesson if I had an attack and my instructor thought i was nuts??). I finally bit the bullet and took three lessons and my exam. I did okay, some anxiety but I really surprised myself. I got my license on my first test! I also bought a car $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$............ Now I'm fully licensed and ready to hit the road, but now my anxiety decided it would come back FULL FORCE! Driving alone is really really hard for some reason! I've had my license for almost a month and still cannot drive on the highway. I still have anxiety driving the backroads to work which is only eight-ten minutes away. I can't even fathom driving any ****her from my house than ten minutes. This is really getting me down :( I was doing so well!!!!! My mom keeps reminding me of all the steps I have taken foreward in the last few months, (i'm even back to work almost full time with NO crippling anxiety, it is so nice to be "free" there) but this driving anxiety is really brining me down. I literally FORCED myself out of the door yesterday to drive alone to work. I've also been crying on and off for two days. I'm getting ready to leave for work now and am literally shaking. but i HAVE to do it. Can anyone here relate to this? My anxiety on the road is now starting to effect me even when I'm not driving. I'm usually anxiety free (o