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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety Attacks While Driving

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Posted on Tue, 2 Feb 2016
Question: I have driving anxiety on freeways where traffic is heavier and goes faster. I don't have driving anxiety on country roads where I do not have to drive so fast. Sometimes, when I am aggravated, I don't have the driving anxiety as I am feeling aggressive. If I take a drink, the driving anxiety disappears temporarily. What can I do to normalize?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Short course of antianxiety drugs will help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.

I can certainly understand your concerns.

At this point, you possibly seem to have panic attack like state in presence heavy traffic.This is what precipitating anxiety on heavy traffic roads.

This requires antianxiety medications for a short course of time to normalize your symptom state.

I generally prescribe oral pills of CLONAZEPAM 0.25 once a day at bedtime for 3 months to my patients with such symptoms .

Please check with your physician if he shares my view and if can prescribe them to you.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (16 hours later)
At this time, I am abstaining from all alcohol. Could alcoholism be the cause of this driving anxiety? If I were to abstain forever, might this problem go away? I know my driving anxiety is much worse when "hung over" (but goes away with a drink of bourbon).

Also, my doctor recently put me on 600 mg./day Gabapentin for sciatic pain. Might this in time work as an anti-anxiety drug, as well as Clonazepam?

This driving anxiety is very difficult for my wife and I as I sometimes, I am unable to drive even to nearby towns.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Alcohol abstinence can correct driving anxiety

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.

I can certainly understand your concerns.

I apologize for the delayed response owing to my work schedule.

I worked through your query in detail.

Yes, certainly alcohol is strongly associated with Driving anxiety.

Complete abstinence can literally cure driving anxiety.

Yes, Gabapentin has a good anti anxiety effect similar to Clonazepam.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you



Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Suresh Heijebu

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 3646 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety Attacks While Driving

Brief Answer: Short course of antianxiety drugs will help. Detailed Answer: Hello, Sir. I can certainly understand your concerns. At this point, you possibly seem to have panic attack like state in presence heavy traffic.This is what precipitating anxiety on heavy traffic roads. This requires antianxiety medications for a short course of time to normalize your symptom state. I generally prescribe oral pills of CLONAZEPAM 0.25 once a day at bedtime for 3 months to my patients with such symptoms . Please check with your physician if he shares my view and if can prescribe them to you. Post your further queries if any. Thank you.