Do you get anxious when you think about driving? Do your palms start to sweat and your heart race at the thought of getting behind the wheel? If so, you may be suffering from driving anxiety, a phobia that affects many people.
In this blog post, I will discuss what driving anxiety is, some of its possible causes, and what you can do to overcome it.
What is driving phobia?
If the thought of driving fills you with dread, you are not alone. Many people suffer from driving anxiety, a phobia that can make it difficult or even impossible to get behind the wheel.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) does not recognise driving anxiety as a specific condition. However, it does recognise phobias that are commonly associated with driving anxiety.
Amaxophobia is a fear of being in a vehicle either as a passenger or driver.
Vehophobia is a fear of driving
So, what causes driving anxiety?
It can be triggered by many different things, such as:
A bad experience: If you have been in a car accident or had a near-miss, it is natural to feel anxious about driving again.
Negative media coverage: If you see news reports of fatal accidents, this can also make you feel anxious about driving.
Stressful life events: If you are going through a difficult time in your life, this can lead to anxiety that manifests itself in many different ways, including driving phobia.
Now that you know what driving anxiety is and some of its possible causes, what can you do about it?
Here are some tips:
Talk to your doctor: If you are suffering from driving anxiety, it is important to talk to your doctor. They can help you to understand what is causing your anxiety and give you advice on how to deal with it.
See a therapist: A therapist can help you to identify the root cause of your anxiety and work with you to develop coping mechanisms.
Join a support group: There are many support groups for people with this type of anxiety. This can be a great way to meet other people who understand what you are going through and to share tips and advice.
Take a driving course: If you have never learned to drive, or if it has been a while since you have driven, taking a driving course can help to build your confidence.
Start small: If the thought of driving on the highway fills you with dread, start by taking some short trips around your neighborhood. Gradually work your way up to longer journeys as you build your confidence.
These are just a few of the things that you can do to overcome driving anxiety. If you are suffering from this phobia, it is important to seek help so that you can hit the road and enjoy driving again.
For Further Reading:
The following are some posts you might find useful if you struggle with anxiety.
- Relationship Anxiety: What It Is, What Causes It, and How to Overcome It
- How to Overcome Anxiety with Simple Grounding Techniques
- Driving Anxiety: How you can overcome the phobia of driving
- Pet Separation Anxiety: The Human-Animal Bond in Two Studies
- How to Help Your Child Overcome Social Anxiety: What You Need to Know
- 20 Affirmations to Calm Anxiety and Improve Your Life
- Anxiety vs. Depression: How to Tell the Difference and Get Help
- Anxiety and Heart Disease in Men: What you need to know
- Spinner Rings – a natural way to reduce stress and anxiety
- Music To Heal Anxiety – The Best Songs to Listen to When You Are Anxious
- Managing Anxiety and How to Stop It from Ruining Your Life
- How to Manage Anxiety and Stress with a Mindfulness Practice
- What to Say to a Friend with Anxiety Instead of ‘Don’t Stress’
- Inspirational Quotes about Overcoming Anxiety
- Everything You Need to Know About Self-Soothing
- The Danger of Being a Perfectionist: Why You Need to Let Go
- Getting Out of a Rut: Tips for Breaking out of Your Comfort Zone
- Interoception: the hidden sense that shapes wellbeing
- How to Control Anxiety in the Face of War: Tips for Coping
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Everything You Need to Know
- Gardening – A Fun and Healthy Way to Lower Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- How to break the rumination cycle
- 11 Steps to Coping with Climate Anxiety: What You Need to Know
- Acupuncture for Anxiety – How does it work and why does it help?
- How to break the rumination cycle
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. When you use one of my affiliate links, the company compensates me. At no additional cost to you, I’ll earn a commission, which helps me run this blog and keep my in-depth content free of charge for all my readers.
