Years ago I was hit in my car on the interstate by a tractor trailer truck (decided he wanted in my lane and didn't care that I was already there). It was a very bad accident and I am very blessed to have survived. Driving on the interstate in heavy traffic and especially when I'm surrounded by lots of tractor trailers zooming along causes me to have panic attacks. My heart races, I sweat, get very shaky and start getting lightheaded/dizzy.
I have not sought medical help because I know my dr. here would just brush it off and prescribe something (would love to be able to change dr.'s, but that's a whole other HMO related rant). I do avoid drving on the interstate as much as possible, especially if it's something that requires a long distance of driving since I know I will most likely freak out (2 lanes of interstate here and plenty of heavy tractor trailer traffic). I have difficulty even when dh is driving and the big trucks are zooming along, changing lanes too closely, etc. and try to deal with it by closing my eyes and breathing deeply.
I have not sought medical help because I know my dr. here would just brush it off and prescribe something (would love to be able to change dr.'s, but that's a whole other HMO related rant). I do avoid drving on the interstate as much as possible, especially if it's something that requires a long distance of driving since I know I will most likely freak out (2 lanes of interstate here and plenty of heavy tractor trailer traffic). I have difficulty even when dh is driving and the big trucks are zooming along, changing lanes too closely, etc. and try to deal with it by closing my eyes and breathing deeply.
