Anxiety/panic Attacks

Hi Paul, I've not written on here for a while....but I know all about panic attacks as I used to get them allot. I was in business to business sales for 30 years before I started truck driving. I found that I I couldn't catch a flight one time, as my panic went into overdrive. For me I did have to seek out professional help, but I my main save was using relaxation tapes to help me unwind. The good news is that I don't get them anymore.......trucking probably did the opposite for me.......it help settle my nerves and anxiety. I love being alone and yes I can get lonely, but I know this will pass. We are all different and I hope that you can find what is best for you to get you through it. Take care my friend.

Mick

Thanks for the additional comments folks. It's been a few weeks so I thought I'd give an update on how things have been.

The first couple weeks of implementing these recommendations went pretty well. My anxiety really dropped, and I felt over all alot better. Turns out I really really needed sleep. Exercise makes a big difference too. The last week things have started to go downhill again. It seems like some combination of cabin fever and loneliness. I love driving, but sitting for hours at a time doing nothing but holding a steering wheel is getting harder not easier. I still don't really understand why the loneliness is on the rise. When I first got out here, I craved the alone time so much that I didn't even want to talk to my wife for more than about 30 minutes a day. Now, there are times it gets so unbearable I want to just catch the first flight back home.

I really want to stay otr for the full 6 months I was originally planning on for the experience, adventure, and sense of accomplishment; but I'm honestly starting to debate whether that's a good idea. I think I'm gonna try to stick it out, but I might still ask my DM what my options are in the meantime just in case.

Sorry if I sound like I'm complaining. I feel like a wimp for having such a hard time with this, especially when I wanted to do it so badly in the first place. But the level of loneliness I'm feeling out here is beyond anything I've ever experienced. Like, it's a normal thing for me to talk to a live human being in person less than 5 minutes a day. That's just...insane.

Paul I tell you this. Even with my husband riding with me, sometimes the loneliness gets to me too. Feeling like you are in this bubble away from the rest of society sucks.

I just had a mini breakdown in Denny's because all I can think about is that I want to go home. Teddy is in the shop and I'm frustrated about losing my 2000 mile run and I'm worried about when we are gonna get back on the road. Money is rapidly running out and I'm not sure what my paycheck this week is going to look like. It a million and one things to think about and I can feel my anxiety level climbing.

My coping method is to not think about things. I found out that if I'm worrying about money or stuff at home or anything other than driving, I panic and it makes my day horrible. So I try to just let it all go and simply focus on my job.

I know that this isn't much help but I just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone in this. This is a drastic lifestyle change that gets to all of us at some point!

Paul we all understand the issues out here and realize what you are facing is real and can also be challenging to overcome. It's not as easy to say suck it up and drive. The issues you are having are genuine and also can be needed to be treated by a professional. One thing that really helps me is transcendental meditation.

This has changed my life in such a positive way I couldn't begin to explain. It really is a way of dealing with exactly we suffer from. One mistake I made starting was not getting professional instruction and just reading books on the subject. Do yourself a favor and start out the right way.

If this doesn't help and still find yourself in need of treatment I would suggest getting therapist. Undiagnosed your problems may get worse. Wishing you the best

I enjoy music on the radio (70-80's rock I'm y my case), but I have become addicted to NPR radio. (I've built a chart of stations for my most common routes.)

Have u considered teaming? You would have to find someone you can live with... literally... but it might help

Hey buddy i have been driving for 9 years and i did get anxiety. I believe it is caused by being away from family but it does get easier. I am a local flatbed driver now and making good money you just need to be strong and put your time in and get your experience up and drive local.

Hey guys, I've been solo driving out of training for about two months now with no major issues, but the last couple weeks I've started experiencing a ton of anxiety. I'm not worried about backing and driving in difficult conditions--I've been doing fine with those situations. I just have been finding it alot harder to think clearly and communicate effectively with people, and sometimes I just downright panic a little bit. Again, it's nothing that is negatively affecting my driving and causing me to be a danger to others out on the road, but I'm still definitely concerned about it.

I couldn't find any other info about this on the forum, so is this normal for a new driver? Is this just a temporary adjustment phase I'm going through or do I need some professional help?

Paul

Paul I tell you this. Even with my husband riding with me, sometimes the loneliness gets to me too. Feeling like you are in this bubble away from the rest of society sucks.

I just had a mini breakdown in Denny's because all I can think about is that I want to go home. Teddy is in the shop and I'm frustrated about losing my 2000 mile run and I'm worried about when we are gonna get back on the road. Money is rapidly running out and I'm not sure what my paycheck this week is going to look like. It a million and one things to think about and I can feel my anxiety level climbing.

My coping method is to not think about things. I found out that if I'm worrying about money or stuff at home or anything other than driving, I panic and it makes my day horrible. So I try to just let it all go and simply focus on my job.

I know that this isn't much help but I just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone in this. This is a drastic lifestyle change that gets to all of us at some point!

Hey Chickie, it does help, so thank you. Getting on this site is one of the most helpful things I do for myself because you all know what I'm talking about. All you people on TT have become a sort of extended family that I enjoy talking with on a regular basis, and I'd really love to meet many of you at some point. I haven't commented on most of your posts, but you'd better believe I read just about everything you posted about your start with TransAm from day one to the present. It's so exciting to hear how someone else is getting started in this field and enjoying it so much. It helps me remember the good things about trucking when I'm feeling down and reminds me how excited I was when I started.

Your situation kinda sucks right now, but it will get better really soon. You'll be making and saving good money before you know it, so don't fret yourself. Get that good rest so you can run your socks off when Teddy gets out of the shop.

Paul we all understand the issues out here and realize what you are facing is real and can also be challenging to overcome. It's not as easy to say suck it up and drive. The issues you are having are genuine and also can be needed to be treated by a professional. One thing that really helps me is transcendental meditation.

This has changed my life in such a positive way I couldn't begin to explain. It really is a way of dealing with exactly we suffer from. One mistake I made starting was not getting professional instruction and just reading books on the subject. Do yourself a favor and start out the right way.

If this doesn't help and still find yourself in need of treatment I would suggest getting therapist. Undiagnosed your problems may get worse. Wishing you the best

Hey Brian, thanks for the suggestion. I'll be sure to look into it. Frankly, I'm concerned that seeking professional help might make it alot more difficult to keep a medical card, especially with the increased medical scrutiny on this year's medical forms. Apparently it hasn't kept you from driving though--did you have any issues at all renewing your medical card??

I enjoy music on the radio (70-80's rock I'm y my case), but I have become addicted to NPR radio. (I've built a chart of stations for my most common routes.)

Thanks Errol! Building a chart is an awesome idea! I don't typically go through the same area that much, but I bet I could look up the stations in the areas I'm going to be driving through when I get my preplan.