“Sudden fear of driving. What should I do?”
For some reason, I am suddenly terrified of driving. I haven't been in any recent car accidents nor have any of my loved ones. Why am I so afraid all of a sudden and how should I get past it? It's really affecting my life as I need to drive to work, to shop, etc.
9 Answers
This fear has recently arisen. Ask: what changes have I experienced recently? Changes in physical, emotional or personal functioning can precipitate a fear. Speaking with someone professionally can often identify the change and help set a corrective course of action. Good luck with addressing this issue.
Hello,
Developing fear of something has to do with your increased awareness of surviving. Oftentimes, a new parent will develop anxiety over surviving, since they need to be there to raise their child. The ONLY treatment for anxiety is therapy. You can take medications to relieve the symptoms, but it will not cure your anxiety. You'll need to engage in psychological treatment for anxiety (it does not take too long!). It's an investment on yourself - for life!
Be well,
Dr. Rosana Marzullo-Dove
Developing fear of something has to do with your increased awareness of surviving. Oftentimes, a new parent will develop anxiety over surviving, since they need to be there to raise their child. The ONLY treatment for anxiety is therapy. You can take medications to relieve the symptoms, but it will not cure your anxiety. You'll need to engage in psychological treatment for anxiety (it does not take too long!). It's an investment on yourself - for life!
Be well,
Dr. Rosana Marzullo-Dove
Consultation with a mental health professional is recommended. After a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and history, a provisional diagnosis will be made and a treatment plan developed. Exploration of possible triggers for your anxiety will inform the treatment approach which will likely involve cognitive behavioral approaches, relaxation training, and psychodynamic examination of relevant personal issues. Consultation with your primary care physician is recommended. Prognosis for full recovery is excellent.
Martin K. Keller, Ed. D, ABPP
Martin K. Keller, Ed. D, ABPP
It sounds like a terrible feeling. It is puzzling that you can't link it to any recent event. It might help to ask yourself what you're afraid will happen if you drive. The sudden fear may be linked to something that's come up in your life around a fear of loss or some kind of fear of loss of control. Sometimes these things can be triggered by unconscious fears. it could be very helpful to go to a therapist to talk about your fears of driving so that you can understand what's triggering the fear which probably has nothing to do with driving per se. Getting at the underlying issue that's causing your fear of driving would probably be very helpful.
I would also try to see if there was any calming music that you could play in the car or whether listening to something
would distract you from the anxiety.
I would also try to see if there was any calming music that you could play in the car or whether listening to something
would distract you from the anxiety.
Most likely there is a less obvious trigger – an "anniversary" date, a memory, a movie, etc. I recommend you see a therapist who specializes in hypnosis, a member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis or the Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Many of them (psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, social workers…) work regularly with phobias and may be able to help you quickly. Quickly is the point, before the symptom affects more and more of your life.
Peace,
Marian K. Shapiro, Ed.D.
Peace,
Marian K. Shapiro, Ed.D.
I know as we get older we have a tendency to have fear more present in various areas and things. You can tell yourself that you are basically in control and as long as you focus all the time then you should get use to it again. Stay away from populated areas or times and try to stay away from heights or bridges. Just know that you are in control. But don’t stop driving. Take it slow it keep up to the speed limit because by not abiding street signs then that could cause accidents, etc.
You may benefit from Behavioral Therapy that targets this fear. You may find local therapists by conducting a google search or going to www.psychologytoday.com and filtering the therapists by treatment approach.
Consult a mental health practitioner. There may be a why you can uncover, but more importantly, biofeedback can help you get over this fear which is interfering with you life. You may also want to see someone in "insight oriented therapy" to view this sudden onset in the context of your life. But use biofeedback to extinguish it first.
Take a look at this link - may provide some insights
https://www.drivingpeace.com/sudden-fear-of-driving/#.XAFSSOhKjIU
You may want to see a psychologist who is experienced in dealing with phobias.
https://www.drivingpeace.com/sudden-fear-of-driving/#.XAFSSOhKjIU
You may want to see a psychologist who is experienced in dealing with phobias.
