Same thing happens to me but I've just recently learned to change it. If you know it's nothing to do with a physical health problem, that's it's all mental, then you must give in. Relax into your surroundings is the best way I can put it. I use to fight it mentally and, over time, that ended up making it worse. I guess because sometimes I would lose the fight and have the
panic attack.
When I used to drive in areas where there was no quick escape I would tense up and try to "focus" extra sharpe for fear I would lose control. This made things worse because I, sometimes, would not be able to get my mind as sharpe as I wanted it. When merging into multiple lanes or going though a tunnel I would question my sense of awareness and it would make me paranoid that something bad would happen. I would then sit up tight in the seat, turn off the radio and do others things to get more focused. The problem was there was really nothing wrong with my state of mind and when I could not get into wha t I thought was a better state of mind I would freak out.
Now this is what I do. When I'm driving (or right before I drive) I take note of my state of mind (maybe I'm tried, or wide awake from
caffeine, whatever). I trust that this state of mind is safe for driving because I'm relaxed. As I'm driving out of the parking lot or out of my neighborhood I take note of the way I let my mind go and accept what condition I'm in. I tell myself that this is the way I feel and I'm fine to be this way is those crowded areas. When I get to the crowded areas I no longer try to change the way my "focus" is but instead remind myself that this is just the way I feel. I am relaxed and everything is okay.
Relaxing is the key. Think of sitting there with your mouth
open and saliva dripping out is almost the feeling you want. Slow breathing, no muscle's tense, etc.
If you start to feel that fear coming on try to relax your body and mind into your surroundings even more. Eventually you'll realize that the fear doesn't control you anymore and that nothing bad will happen.
Post Edited (Burli) : 11/24/2009 6:49:08 PM (GMT-7)