Hello everyone. I wasnt sure exactly where to start this thread since I am not exactly a new driver. I have been off of the road for nearly a year due to an anxiety disorder. It started out with having panic attacks in Jan of last year and later developed into chronic anxiety with OCD and panic disorder since my panic attacks were becoming more and more frequent to the point of where I no longer felt safe even driving a car. At first I thought my panic attacks were related to heart or thyroid problems but I went to 4 different specialists,including a cardiologist,and they all gave me a clean bill of health except for a huge spike in blood pressure when I have a panic attack. When I check my BP at home and calm it is still a little high but nothing too alarming.
My DOT physical expires in 4 more months and at the time I renewed it it was a 2-year card.
I have 10 years of driving experience with nearly a million safe miles and a stable record with a clean MVR and a fair Csa score. I really wish I could go back to work but with this disorder even having a normal life at home is difficult. I have never experience a disorder like this at such a severe stage. Since I didnt believe in medications I sought therapy during the year I have been out of work and I did gradually get better until I hit a huge relapse again last month after having another panic attack. Nothing really seems to be helping and at this point unless I try medications,which im afraid and reluctant to do,I dont see any other way of going back to work. I have filed for disability with SSI 3 months ago which is still pending. Have any of you overcome anxiety and/or panic disorder with or without meds and recovered enough to go back to an over-the-road driving job? Do you know which medications are allowed and you can pass a DOT physical with? Before all of this happened I was an independent O/O but I have already lost my equipment and went bankrupt and if I ever recover and become normal again I will have to start again as a company driver.Most companies are telling me that my experience is still very recent and they only ask for 1 year of exp. in the last 3 years or 2-3 years in the last 5. In other words I have one more year to work with to try and recover. I know some antidepressants are allowed but do they really work and help control panic and anxiety? Anyone here with a similar experience? Any help,advice,or personal experience would be appreciated. Sorry for the long diatribe.