Panic attacks driving on the motorway - how do I get past this?

If you tell yourself you can pull off at the next junction or even onto the hard shoulder? Surely it's the same as any other road, you can't just stop when you want moat of the time that you drive?

No one says you have to go speeding at 70+ miles an hour, why don't you sit on the left with the lorries? They only go 50ish

Other than that the only things that come to mind would be learn which services are along the way so you know when you can get off, try and travel at "quieter times" or see if there is an A road running parallel to it (there usually is )

Helloo9 I'm so glad to find this I used to drive 3 hours to go to leeds. I drove 6.5 hours to go to london once. Then I started on antidepressants and the name you mention sounds familiar. I took citalopram I think and somehow managed to drive. I actually quit a 40k a year job because I coildnt drive on the motorway. When I came off the antidepressant I was ok. I can drive now but still get whoozy suddenly when panic, which causes a cycle of oh god I'm about to crash. But I do manage very rarely. I can sometimes go to 70mph then suddenly if it is down hill or I notice I'm driving fast I get panicky. I allow slow down and stick to 60. Usually rely on my hisband. I mean I am a monster on other roads lol I dont feel scared and can park in card board box. Jist motorways cause me to be fearful

Have you thought about booking some lessons with a driving instructor who specialises in motorway driving and/or anxiety?

It sounds like you WANT to do it, which is half the battle. Hoping you can find someone who can offer practical help.

Find a sympathetic driving instructor with a dual control car. Some specialize in anxious drivers. You will know from your previous CBT, the only way to overcome a fear is to do it, but this way you would have someone who could take over from you.

To add - I have panic disorder with agoraphobia. The two often go together.
And I've been on escitalopram for 18 years. It makes my life manageable.

Sounds like what you actually have is agoraphobia. I have it too. Same symptoms.

Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn't be available if things go wrong. Many people assume agoraphobia is simply a fear of open spaces, but it's actually a more complex condition.

www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/agoraphobia/overview/

I get a bit claustrophobic on motorways too - but only if they’re busy or stand still - and I mostly have no anxiety about other things at all.

For me it’s about needing a wee and not being able to stop anywhere if it’s a 30 mile tailback. And feeling trapped.

I always check Waze before leaving, avoid motorways if there’s an alternative route, wee before I go, don’t drink much water and also recently told myself “so what, if you wet yourself you wet yourself”

That probably doesn’t help much but you’re not alone. I’m not worried about safety as most accidents are urban according to a speed awareness course I went on (was doing 68 and hadn’t noticed variable speed limit)

Driving on a motorway is not compulsory.

It's not safe for you, any passengers or other road users to have a panicked driver at 70mph.

Use A roads and save yourself the hassle it just isn't worth it.

Is it you driving on the motorway or travelling on a motorway at all? Sounds like you're OK if your husband is driving- so what's the difference in your thinking? I like the suggestion above that you could focus on where the exits or motorway services are as a "way out".

I had this! Exactly the same reason. As soon as I saw your title I thought "escitalopram". I've taken it for years. Daren't leave off now tro be honest. But it does the trick.

Would it help to know what services were along that road so that when you set off you know you're only 5miles from being able to get off if you wanted to etc?

Some people just don’t drive on the motorway. But since you want to fix it you could try advance driving courses such as the motorway or try smaller similar roads such as B and A roads then work your way up. Try different distances. Wait until you’re comfortable (as you can be) on that road before you move up to one you’d find more difficult. Also try and find quieter times, Waze is quite good for that.