Dealing with Panic Attacks While Driving

I actually can’t drive alone most of the time. If I don’t have someone else to navigate for me, I panic because I spend so much mental energy watching what other drivers are doing. I chew clove gum when I start getting overwhelmed, but I’m autistic and sensory seeking, so that may not work for everyone.

I get them while driving sometimes, especially on those ramps between 2 freeways where its just one lane high above the rest of the roads. I've had a couple pretty bad car accidents where everyone involved wasn't hurt (the one last year I had a bruised rib and some scrapez) but the cars I was driving were totalled both times. Anything similar conditions to either of those accidents tends to make me panic since I often have flashbacks. I've gotten better at it though, I know what's coming so I try to mentally prepare myself. I take as needed anxiety meds so sometimes if I know I'll encounter a situation when I'm on the road and I'm already high strung that day I'll take my meds before I get going.

mints are super super helpful for grounding. if you can, rolling your window down might also help get you fresh air. if it gets really bad, you might pull over and step out, stretch your legs a bit