Hi Everyone. I haven't been in here in several months, because frankly, I've been doing great. I'm by no means cured, but the Paxil CR and the therapy have seemed to help. I no longer suffer from daily anxiety or frequent panic attacks. I still get nervous in some situations and still avoid a lot of things so I know I have a long way to go.
I felt the need to post because my anxiety/panic attacks ALWAYS occur in the car. Mainly when I am stuck in traffic. I have cars in front of me...behind me....and on either side of me. Its that thought of being trapped and unable to get out that terrifies me. I always stay in the right lane if I can and I am aware of all the turn offs I can make if I need to get off the road. The problem with some highways and most bridges is there is not always an easy escape.
I keep a magazine in my truck with me at all times. If I happen to get stuck in traffic (and sometimes "stuck" simply means I'm surrounded by cars at a red light for 2 minutes....I find that reading the magazine helps distract me. As soon as I feel the anxiety creeping up, I pick up my magazine and start searching for an article of interest.
I also keep a list in my car that helps change my thinking pattern:
I'm not going to pass out because I'm anxious. Its never happened before...its not going to happen now.
I'm not going to suffocate. Its never happened before, its not going to happen now. I'm going to take slow deep breaths and calm myself down.
I'm not going to have a heart attack. Its never happened before, its not going to happen now. I can control my heart rate by controlling my breathing.
Its only a few minutes til the light changes. I've sat here before and made it thru safetly...I will sit here now and make it thru safetly again.
Telling yourself that awful things are going to happen just feeds the panic. We all need to counter that with postive thoughts and positive feedback. The key to beating this is changing our thinking pattern (cognitive behavior therapy). I thought it was a load of **** when I first heard about it...but its been a life safer.
Cheryl
