“Panic and Driving”

Nervousness, Anxiety and Panic, all are degrees of reactions by our mind and body to any perceived or real situation that may be uncomfortable. It is seldom a case of life threatening situation but may lead one to experience reactions that may be almost life threatening.

Body reactions like, weakness, shaking of limbs, unable to focus or concentrate, losing focus etc. etc.

The experiencer very well knows that there is nothing so grave about the situation but he or she keeps thinking about the situation and what may happen to them in that situation.

A full blown panic does not happen on its own. It is a result of years of nervousness suppressed or controlled successfully. Once it overcomes you, the first time , it keeps reminding you that it can happen again in any situation, especially the one in which it happened last time.

It may surface at any stage of life depending on other circumstances around.

A very good case ;;

“A friend of mine was always very cool and balanced. Never showed any signs of emotional bursts or anger or depression or even over excitement or any kind of fear. One day, he left his home with a small argument with his wife. He was not feeling well due to a late night party and lack of sleep. He also had some issue in office work that were bothering him. He left home, angry at his wife, disturbed by work in the office and also not feeling in the best of his physical form. He started his car and took the turn on the main road. Suddenly he felt too much of emotions flowing through his body and felt something may happen to him as he may not be able to control all the mixed emotions. He made a u turn back towards home. His heart was beating loud, he was feeling weak and out of control and taking large breaths. He parked the car on side and somehow, with trembling and shaking hands and panicking about his condition and what will happen to him, managed to call his wife for support. Wife arrived in seconds as he was just outside his building.”

This event was an outcome of all possible negative things at one time. But it had a deep impact.

My friend started feeling nervous at the mere thought of driving. He would not drive. At least not alone. He would drive only to specific location and routes. The thought of going or driving to any location would make him nervous and would turn into a panic if he did try venturing against his fears.

Result of all this? Total withdrawal from driving.

The same person had been driving for years in all sort of conditions, roads, time, distance and duration and on different kind of vehicles.

Reason for withdrawal? Fear of having fear while driving. FEAR of FEAR.It was not fear of driving. It was fear of fear reactions or symptoms during driving. No one wants any kind of uncomfortable situation especially a one in which he or she is going through a pounding heart, shaking limbs, nervousness, weakness, dizziness and feeling of end of life, that too, in the midst of a traffic road and on the driver’s seat. Just imagining this situation can make one nervous and avoid venturing into such experience.

But it is not some roller coaster ride that one can avoid. Driving is a part of living. Not easy to avoid. So there is always a “fight or flight” tussle. Any kind of tussle can not keep your nerves calm and not so calm nerves are an invitation to another episode of anxiety and panic. This time it may be in some other situation,Other than driving. And Next time ,,,,, some  other …….

Is there a way out of it? Is there a life beyond anxiety and panic?

SURE !!! There must be.

Please share your experiences on the same. Share your experiences or ideas or views on the same topic and how to handle this. You may help someone by sharing.