You may have been driving for decades and never had a problem and then it happens without any advance warning. You begin feeling dizzy, find it difficult to breathe and you're filled with dread which becomes even worse once you think of the possibility of losing control of the vehicle. You may be having a panic attack and after having this happen to you, you might fear driving again.

You might be told you need to overcome your fear of driving by confronting it head on and driving more. Of course, this only works if driving was the trigger for your panic attack in the first place; if it wasn't it doesn't matter how much you drive - it's not going to help. However, a panic attack can happen anytime, anywhere and come without warning. What should you do if you have panic attacks while driving? If you know how to handle the situation, then you'll be more at ease behind the wheel.

If it's never happened to you before, you may not recognize the shakes, clammy palms and increasing dread and fear as a panic attack. You might have been worrying about the driving conditions, a breakdown, traffic or even something unrelated to driving.

At the onset of a panic attack while you are driving your car, pull over. During a panic attack, it seems that all cars are racing towards you. That is just your imagination or ugly intrusive thoughts going haywire. Sit up straight, take a deep breath, and regulate your breathing until you are relaxed. Breathing in through your noise and exhaling through your mouth can lessen the attack.

A panic attack may take a few seconds or a few minutes, so take your time until you have calmed your nerves. If there's a bottle of water in the car, take a sip; dehydration can turn on those nasty attacks. If you have had those spells, be ready for future attacks. Always have your prescribed medication handy. Pop a pill and wait for the attack to subside. A bottle of water on the ready is a smart way to ease your way out of those attacks if you sense the familiar symptoms. Brown paper bags should be always available. You'll need this to regulate the amount of air you breathe in. Lastly, relax. Don't fight the attack. Ride with it.

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure - something which is certainly true of panic attacks. Daily B complex vitamin supplements can help to reduce your attacks, but ask your doctor about what dosage they suggest for daily intake.

Follow your doctor's advice. If you're going to a therapist or to group therapy sessions, make sure to attend consistently. Hearing how others have managed their panic attacks can be very helpful.

A word of caution - don't drive alone. Always have somebody with you or let somebody drive for you if your panic attacks are frequent and severe. Having someone with you may allay those fears that bring on those panic attacks.