can u please reply... So I'm gonna be traveling 13 hours outta state to Marion Iowa.. I will have to travel thru very rural locations and I'm terrified, in my mind I've been forshadowing the panic attack for weeks.. I will driving thru the mountains and there will be locations that are far from a emergency room I'm terrified.. see I've had these 24/7 symptoms for 3 years a severe bed ridden breathing problem that doctors can't seem to figure out they say it's anxiety.. well anyways I'm terrified of the ride due to my breathing problem
Hi no point me saying you will be grand if you dont believe it! My heart goes out to you. on good days i would book our annual holiday, I then try & not think about it! I worry about getting to Airport, 4 hours journey the flight for 3 hours BUT my worst fear was how I will get through the Airport!! I could list the thoughts I think, but dont want to give you fresh ideas on what might go wrong!!
So heres what I do/did distract myself, for the drive I counted how many white card we met or saw parked up. at the Airport I looked at everyone around me & made up my own story on where & why they were there - it works you forget about yourself, no body surfing allowed as in checking yourself if you feel anxious!
honestly thinking about doing something is worse than the doing - I know
as for nowhere to go if you did need help, surly there are people living along your route who can point you in the right direction for help which I bet you wont need
are you travelling alone?
Hi , ask your doctor for a couple of ativan pills to get you through the trip easier . They will help as you need . Also some therapist tell you to wear a rubberband on your wrist , if you start feeling anxious , start pulling on the rubberband , keeping you focus on the band . This may help you . Best wishes and safe travels , you ll be ok
Hi,
i had similar severe anxiety and severe panic. in my opinion therapy is by far the answer as opposed to medication, at least that is what helped me to go from extreme anxiety to almost normal.
this method really helped my panic attacks, it’s called the ABC method.
A = the situation where the suffer panics. in your case the traveling
B = the belief that you will have panic attacks/something will go wrong
C = the anxiety/panic attacks themselves.
the issue the panic sufferer has is that they believe A the situation causes C. in actual fact it is B the belief that causes C. you are no more unable to control panic in a remote area than you are in your living room.
i promise you the solution is this simple; panic is like a fire. you can’t stop your panic but you can either let the fire die out or you can add petrol to it.
adding petrol to the fire; “oh no the panics coming on i need to escape WHAT IF…”
Letting it die out: “my body is Panicking but i know the feeling will go away and is temporary. I’M GOING TO RIDE IT OUT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS”
I have further techniques but shallnt go into more detail unless you want to hear more. cheers AJ