Important ideas about Driving Fear and Anxiety

View PDF | Print View
by: Susie60Shemilt
Total views: 11
Word Count: 421
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2011 Time: 2:07 PM
0 comments

Firstly, an example of a less apparent fear could possibly be, but isn't limited to claustrophobia; being enclosed in a vehicle could create problems for individuals. A car is often a relatively small space and being trapped within this little area would make some individuals anxious.
One different example of a secondary fear could be motion sickness. This is probably more obvious than claustrophobia. A car is involved in motion when driven; therefore for someone that has severe motion sickness, the car being driven can cause problems making them feel nauseous and very unwell.

One single traumatic incident could cause this fear; perhaps when the person in question was a young child, which could cause problems later in life. Driving the car could be the fear that develops or even being in a car in general. A fear could develop straight after a crash or after several years. Yet, a crash is not necessarily the cause for a fear; another example could be a series of near misses.

How should you approach these fears in order to get over them? If it is a situation specific fear, then a gradual introduction would be recommended. For example, claustrophobia could be overcome if the person with the fear goes into a familiar and safe surrounding that is relatively small; gradually going into smaller places until they are fully happy with small places.
If the fear extends to all driving in general, you must ask the question why, and then try and realise that the fear is quite irrational. Obviously many people drive every day, generally without any problems. Even incidents that occur are generally quite minor. Driving on a freeway or a motorway is generally a little more dangerous, with collisions resulting in more fatalities. Yet, if you drive safely, then there will generally be very few problems if any. Again, people drive for many years on freeways without a single crash.

Motion sickness causing a fear is perhaps the only ailment that cannot be easily self-treated. But, doctors can prescribe medicines for motion sickness, which should help to overcome the fear of driving.

Therefore for the psychological ailments it is best to gradually introduce the problems to the 'patient' in order to cope with the fear and overcome it. This is a simple form of a type of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, used and recommended by many top psychologists worldwide. Hopefully this will help you to cope with the fear of driving.

About the Author

Our site contains a lot of relevant and useful related information on The Driving Fear Program.
Would you like to find additional critical information on Fear Of Driving