[confusion94]

Okey I know the first thing you would say is to go to a doctor because I never got examined but I searched online about this awkward feeling I get in cars and the feeling I used to feel while standing in a line during the prayer at school or in an elevator. Ok I know I should go to a doctor, however, I don't feel ready... I will wait until I am 18 so I don't have to tell my mother as she spreads the word with her sisters etc and they will thinks that I am mental so please don't suggest the doctor thing because it is out of the question for me :( I get this attack mostly in cars and therefore I turned down every guy that asked me out and he had a car (I am going to be 18 in 2 months by the way). However, I met this guy and he seems nice... different. I went out with him just once when he wasn't with his car but he asked me three times to pick me up and go somewhere and I keep telling him no. I am fed up of this as this is even interfering with my relationships now... I mean should I tell him about my problem and if I go out with him and I have a panic attack next to him what should I say? Please help I can't keep living like this

[Wondergirl]

Have you had a panic attack? If so, what happens?

[Wondergirl]

If you can leave your house without stress, this may not be agoraphobia. Maybe it's more like claustrophobia (fear of enclosed or confining spaces)?

[confusion94]

Yes I had lots of attacks... I feel like I can't move, my whole body gets hard and I have to grab something and look at the floor to feel better. Yes I leave the house without stress

[Kemar]

Going to a doctor is not the right solution for your problem. Doctors will prescribe you medication and that is never a good solution. Trust me, I've had these kind of attacks too. My hands got all sweaty, my heart started beating very fast and I got the feeling that I was about to faint. I however got over these attacks with the help of a guy called Geert. Geert told me that these attacks are easy to stop. The most important thing, is that you face your fear. Get in a car and when you feel the attack coming up, look it straight in the face. Ask yourself, "Why am I so afraid now? Why am I feeling this way? What exactly is upsetting me?". Try to understand your fear by asking yourself a lot of questions. Is it maybe the fact that you once saw a car accident on the TV? Did you ever got involved in a car accident? Try really to dig into yourself to find the right answer. Also, tell yourself everything is all right while you face your fear. Think about happy places, about good things that happened in your life. This will help you calm down and realize there is nothing wrong with sitting in a car. Be aware that this can take a while though, don't be too hard on yourself and give yourself enough time to conquer your fear. And last but not least; never be ashamed about this. Lots of people suffer from these kind of anxiety attacks.

[confusion94]

Yes that helps a lot.. infact I did this last time I got the attack and I said to myself "Nothing is really going to happen you are safe in the car and there is no danger" and it helped a lot! The attack like came and left immediately :) However, I still feel afraid that I will get another attack each time I get in a car. And no I haven't been in a car accident and I have no idea what triggers these attacks... I have had them since I was very young. And I get these attacks when I am in the front seat of the car usually or when there is a steep slope