Sarah’s panic attacks started a few months ago after she was involved in a minor accident while driving her car. Her workplace is two miles away but she prefers to walk instead. For Sarah, merely getting into her car creates feelings of apprehension and anxiety.
Sarah finds that her life has changed. Even when crossing a road by foot, Sarah will feel her heart race and palms get sweaty. For three years Sarah was a cautious and safe driver but now she has lost all confidence to drive. She is afraid of a having another accident.
She starts having panic attacks even when she’s not in the car. Sarah feels angry and frustrated at how the incident has affected her life. Everyday, she encounters excessive and irrational worrying thoughts. This inevitably impairs her work and social relationships.
Post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD for short can develop after a traumatic experience. This might be due to severe physical or emotional pain. A sufferer might experience terrifying flashbacks of a traumatic event.
Those that know a PTSD sufferer might find that they’re not the person they used to be. Often the family of the sufferer experiences immense strain and are at a loss. Social interactions and situations are usually avoided by sufferers. There is a possibility that sufferers may develop a phobia of people more commonly recognized as social anxiety.
Sleep problems can occur and sufferers may find themselves unable to sleep easily. They may feel highly strung on a daily basis and find themselves being extra cautious. For Sarah, getting into a car or any vehicle for her is virtually impossible.
Panic attacks while driving can develop even if the driver has never experienced a traumatic event. Panic attacks may occur because of irrational fear and anxiety itself. Our minds can create images and thoughts that create negative feelings such as fear and anxiety. Negative associations become reinforced when we excessively worry and focus on something that we fear.
Loss of confidence can happen gradually and feelings of fear can develop. The mind is a powerful thing and can make mental associations both negative and positive. Drivers might suffer anxiety and panic attacks for various reasons. These include;
- Driving at high speeds such as on the freeway.
- Driving at a busy time on the road.
- Having a driver cut in front of you.
- Being at the receiving end of road rage.
- Driving for long periods.
- Driving in the dark.
All of these experiences can create feelings of anxiety and fear which can grow. Eliminating negative behaviors and beliefs can be done quite easily with therapy. Learn how to overcome your fears today. Click on the following link: anxiety and depression.
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