Tips for Avoiding a Panic Attack While Driving

Due to the way a panic attack can completely shut down your system for a period of up to 15 minutes, it’s a good idea to avoid having a panic attack while driving. Since when you are going to drive is more predictable than when you are going to have a panic attack, some panic attack sufferers try to avoid driving instead of risking a panic attack while driving. This can lead to a very limited life, which may only exacerbate the feelings of stress and lack of control associated with panic disorders. It is far better to keep driving and learn to avoid or cope with panic attacks while driving.

The easiest way to avoid having a panic attack while driving is to take medicine that controls anxiety and therefore eliminates or limits the occurrence of panic attacks. Some anxiety medications cause drowsiness that can make driving dangerous, so people may not want to take them prior to driving. As well, some people have panic attacks, but not necessarily a panic disorder so they don’t regularly take medicine that would help them avoid panic attacks while driving. In these situations, the best thing to do is learn alternative methods for avoiding panic attacks while driving or learn how to cope with the occurrence of them. Here are some tips from people who have experienced panic attacks while driving.

Tips on Avoiding a Panic Attack While Driving

• Listen to music you enjoy to help ease the stress of driving.


• Keep a piece of fruit or other light snack on hand to give your body something to do besides release adrenaline into your body.


• It may sound counterintuitive, but don’t focus so much on driving. Look at the passing scenery; raise your gaze past the car directly in front of you. Flip through the radio stations and sing along with a good song. Listen to an audio book.


• Carry a cell phone, so you feel secure and somewhat in control while driving.

Tips on Dealing with a Panic Attack While Driving

• Pull off the road at the first sign of a panic attack, usually accelerated breathing and heart beat. If safe, get out of the car and walk around, breathing slowly until you have calmed down. If unsafe, stay in your vehicle, but roll down the window and breathe slowly until you calm down.


• Carry a bottle of water with you whenever you drive. If you feel a panic attack coming on while you are driving, you can either take some anti-anxiety medication or just drink the water to help regulate some of your bodily reactions such as rapid heart beat and respiration rate and increased temperature.


• Keep a station that plays soothing music programmed into your radio and turn to it when you feel a panic attack. Listen intently to the music and try to breathe deeply.