Should I cancel my driving lessons as my panic attacks have got a lot worse?

1234catlady

My panic attacks and overall stress levels have been through the roof lately as my papa has been ill and I'm generally just a very highly strung person.

A big thing that seems to stress me out and has me up all night with worry is my driving lessons. I love driving and get on great with my instructor but lately as I said my panic attacks have been getting worse and they are the really strong, almost debilitating ones if you know what I mean and I am terrified of taking one like that behind the wheel. My lessons are on a Thursday and today is only Monday and I am already stressing and ill with anxiety over my lesson, especially as I missed 2 lessons in the last fortnight as my papa was ill. It seems to be all I can think about and its making me feel so ill and stressed.

I want to take time out of my lessons for a bit, maybe a month or so to try and get my panic attacks under control but I am scared if I do that, I will never go back to lessons but I also don't want to be living in constant stress and dreading every lesson. I'm going to talk to my counsellor tomorrow and see what she recommends but I'm just so confused and feel like a failure because I can't win whether I cancel my lessons for a bit or keep going

heartbreak_star

Have you seen a doctor about your panic attacks?

HBS x

1234catlady

Yes I've been to my GP about my panic attacks. I've had them for about 3 years so they are nothing new sadly. I got CBT and self help from NHS but those appointments stopped after so many sessions and I don't like the idea of taking meds for them so I'm currently seeing a private counsellor.

tomtontom

If they are as bad as you describe then I would ask yourself if you are fit to be on the road at the moment. Remember when you're driving a car it is not just you that you are putting at risk.

belfastgirl23

To put a different point of view, I'd be concerned about you shutting down doing things you enjoy because of panic attacks. The fear of the attack is sometimes worse than the attack itself and if you start anticipating it, where do you draw the line? This is how you end up being agoraphobic. I don't see that if you're taking driving lessons in a dual control car you're going to end up putting anyone at risk. And my own experience is that if I stop doing something for fear of panic attacks, it gets much much harder to start doing it again. I am not a fan of flying for example, but when I fly regularly I get mild anxiety, when I leave it off for a while it's much worse.

I'd suggest also taking a good look at your diet to see if your panic attacks might be tied to eating or drinking very sugary foods. I certainly find this doesn't help me at all. The other thing would be to think about meditation, relaxation and yoga all of which can really help. It's fair enough to not want to take medication but in that case you probably should try throwing as many different solutions as possible at the problem.

1234catlady

I do see your point, BelfastGirl23. When I first started getting panic attacks, I was terrified of supermarkets and put off going in them for months and eventually I had to force myself into them. I still hate them to this day but can deal with them most of the time. I already have agoraphobia. I was housebound for 6 months at one point. I worry sometimes that I am slipping down that road again.

I've adopted healthy eating and exercise. Its done some good, especially the exercising though its not cut out my panics but its helped a little with stress management. I'm also trying hypotherapy with the counsellor at tomorrows session.

cashewnut

I know the rules on giving medical advice are iffy, but from personal experience I took a beta blocker for my driving test to help with panicky feelings and horrendous nerves. Good luck whatever you decide to do, I hope you fund a solution!

1234catlady

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I've told my family and partner how I feel and they are all urging me to stay with driving and not take a break despite how stressed and panicky its making me. I'll probably go along with whatever my counsellor says tomorrow.

ERICS_MUM

I implore you to have another think about taking medication. 15 years ago I was in a state similar to yours but was desperate enough to try anything my GP suggested. It took a few months to find the "right" combo of meds to help me. I am still on them today and my GP says I can stay on them forever if need be. I can't tell you how much better I feel now, I owe my life and my enjoyment of life to my GP and his persistence !

1234catlady

I've took medication for it in the past and tried to kill myself while on it so I stay away from pills for depression/anxiety. I tried 3 different pills. I don't feel comfortable taking pills for something that is caused by the way I think if you know what I mean? But each to their own.

ERICS_MUM

1234catlady wrote: »

I've took medication for it in the past and tried to kill myself while on it so I stay away from pills for depression/anxiety. I tried 3 different pills. I don't feel comfortable taking pills for something that is caused by the way I think if you know what I mean? But each to their own.

Fair enough, you've obviously arrived at the right decision for yourself.

Good luck for the future.

EM xx