What to do if a panic attack occurs behind the wheel

While overtaking a B-Double recently on the Hume Highway, I realised I wasn’t breathing.

Not only was I actively holding my breath, my fingers were grasping the steering wheel so tightly that the tension spread up my arm, into my shoulders and neck making them rigid; then sweat began to pool everywhere sweat can pool.

It wasn’t like overtaking a truck was new to me, or that it was my first time on this stretch of road but for some reason, I was so anxious, bordering on having a full-blown panic attack that I had to pull over as soon as I could and ask my husband to take over.

At the time I felt really silly, but it turns out I am not alone in this experience.

According to a survey by Allianz Insurance, it was discovered that 79% of the 1000 drivers surveyed had worries about driving. 17% of motorists surveyed reported that they decide not to make a certain trip due to their fear of driving a car.

A 2018 New Zealand study by Joanne Taylor at the school of psychology at Massey University made a similar finding, with 52 per cent of the population experiencing mild anxiety when they drove and 16 per cent felt moderate to severe driving anxiety.

Clinical Psychologist, Catherine Madigan from Anxiety Australia, says that anxiety around driving, including panic attacks can be caused by a range of issues such as being in a previous transport accident.

“Some people have sustained post-traumatic stress disorder having been in a car accident where they thought they would be seriously injured or killed,” says Madigan.

This PTSD or driving related anxiety can manifest into a panic attack while at the wheel, in which a person “may experience a number of anxiety symptoms happening simultaneously,” Madigan says.

These may include blurred vision, heart palpitations, sweating, shaking, dizziness and faintness.

“A panic can come on suddenly and unexpectedly and the sufferer may think they are having a heart attack, dying, losing control,” she says.

Tiredness can also contribute, so too can anxiety or mental health issues such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

“Some people with OCD related to driving, fear driving at high speed as they fear they will lose control of the car; therefore, they drive well below the speed limit on freeways or avoid them altogether.”

Regardless of the underlying reason, Madigan says that “avoidance is common.”

“They may avoid scenarios where they have had a panic attack or where escape would be difficult, for example - tunnels, bridges and freeways.”

But if you do drive in a state of high anxiety it can be dangerous and steps should be taken in order to prevent an accident.

“If you are feeling highly anxious/panicky when driving you are advised to put on your hazard lights, slow down and pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. Try to breathe slowly as this will alleviate your anxiety.

If you are on a freeway or tunnel stay in your car and call for help. Tunnels and freeways may have staff in control rooms monitoring activity and may send help to you. Otherwise, you can call a tow truck,” she says.

Other tips include healthy eating and regular exercise to lower stress levels and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and cigarettes because they can “aggravate anxiety and trigger panic.”

Long-term, treatment from a psychologist may be helpful especially “if the driving issue is not improving and is negatively impacting on someone's ability to function.”

If you need extra help, the TAC says there “are plenty of ways to get support if you feel anxious or uncertain, including a number of free resources such as Beyond Blue, Lifeline and Black Dog.

Speaking to your GP is a good first step if you’re wanting to access more specialised help.”

Related: Top tips for building up your driving confidence

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