A fear of driving can work very limiting for people who suffer from this phobia. People who are afraid to drive or take passengers with them dread getting into a car, even when they are not driving. Since this phobia is not taken seriously by a lot of people, the person suffering from it will often suffer silently. He or she will make sure not to go to family meetings or lunch with friends when it entails getting in a car.
Fear of Driving Over Bridges and Other Fears
Driving fears don't just entail fear of driving. Some people feel their hart rate go up when they even think about driving over bridges or merging into traffic on the motorway. Forcing someone with a driving phobia to do these kind of things will most definitely result in a panic attack. When you are feeling this afraid, it's not enough for someone to tell you to 'get over it already'.
Recognising a Driving Phobia
Fear of driving is not the same as being uncomfortable in a car. These symptoms are often found with people who are afraid of driving:
- The feeling that you are going to faint;
- Feeling dizzy and nauseous;
- Weak legs and arms;
- The hart rate picks up and the heart will pound really fast;
- Not being able to breathe properly; and
- A dry throat.
When you are experiencing these symptoms, there is good news too: it is possible to cure a driving phobia. First you have to find out what is causing your fear of driving. Is it an accident you had in the past? Or do you feel uncertain about your driving skills?
How to Get Over a Fear of Driving
There are several techniques to overcome fear of driving. If you have been in an accident or have strong emotional scars concerning driving, then it might be better to find a therapist. But there are some things you can start doing at home. Here are a couple of different techniques:
- Close your eyes and think about going for a 5 minute drive. Follow the route in your mind. Relax and know that you are safe. Repeat this every day until you can link the mental driving to a feeling of safety.
- Get into your car and adjust the mirrors, your chair... Hold the steering wheel and breathe. Think about a happy moment when you felt really comfortable and safe.
- Once you feel comfortable enough, get into the car and drive for only 5 minutes. Keep stretching your driving time with a minute or five every time until you can go on a drive for 30 minutes.
Just remember: a driving fear is nothing to be ashamed of and it is not your fault. If you want to overcome your fear of driving try to find professional help or use the techniques described above. Take it one step at a time, never rush things if you don't feel comfortable doing them.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only; it should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his/her health should contact a licensed medical professional.
Sources:
The Fear of Driving Panic Attack. Driving-Phobia.co.uk. Retrieved on September 7.
Phobias and Fears: Symptoms, Treatment and Self-Help. Helpguide.org. Retrieved on September 7.
Sofie De Cocker - Sofie is an experienced freelance writer and book translator. She writes for small and big companies and she is the editor of the Flemish ...
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