Anxiety Success Stories: Sadie Tackles Driving Anxiety & Panic Attacks
On this episode I sat down with Sadie, a former Panic to Peace student who has made amazing progress tackling driving anxiety and panic attacks. Sadie took the program in January 2024, and it was amazing to hear about the progress she has made since!
Sadie's First Panic Attack
Sadie remembers her first panic attack happening on the highway, while driving to visit a friend. It felt like came from no where, and almost like it lasted forever. Sadie's protective brain kicked in, and she found an alternative route home on Google Maps to avoid the highway for the rest of her journey.
After that first panic attack, Sadie found herself constantly worried about it happening again. She initially managed her anxiety with medication, which helped for a while. But then, dealing with depression and her relationship with alcohol led her to seek inpatient treatment. It was during this time that she made the big decision to quit drinking and stop taking anxiety meds.
Trying Different Strategies
Sadie tried all sorts of ways to cope with her anxiety—breathing exercises, natural remedies, you name it. Some of these things worked for a while, but nothing seemed to stick. Driving became a major source of anxiety. As a passenger, she could focus on managing her feelings, but driving herself was a whole different story—she had to stay in control while dealing with intense fear.
Finding the Way Forward
Sadie's experience with the Panic to Peace program was transformative, despite her initial fears. Early on, she felt comforted by meeting others who shared her struggles, something she had never encountered before. This sense of community provided her with a safe space to be honest about her challenges.
Over time, Sadie realized that setting small, weekly goals within the program was crucial for her progress. The structure and accountability helped her recognize and celebrate her achievements, something she had often overlooked in the past. She found motivation not from waiting for the right moment but from taking action, which made her feel accomplished and encouraged her to keep pushing forward. Recovery really is in the small steps!
While Sadie acknowledges that she's still on her journey to recovery, she no longer obsesses over when she'll be fully recovered. Instead, she's focused on enjoying more of her daily life, appreciating the progress she's made, and continuing to build on it.
Make sure to tune into the full episode to hear lots more about Sadie's inspirational journey.
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