Overcome Fear of Driving » Driving Fear Articles

Fear Of Driving In Bad Weather

cecil — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:54:25 +0000

It can be difficult for anyone to drive in heavy rain, snow, wind or other nasty weather. When you have driving anxiety, these types of fears are amplified 100%.

This article will discuss the fear of driving in bad weather and what you can do to overcome it.

The fear of bad weather is something that plaques many people. Fear of driving in rain and fear of driving in snow are the most common fears.

Chances are, if you are fearful of a particular weather event while at home or another indoor place, then you will be even more fearful while driving a car.

The conditions that make people most fearful of driving are

Rain
Snow
Thunderstorms
High Wind

There are many reasons you feel fear while driving in these weather situations. When there is heavy rain or snow it can make seeing the road difficult and that alone is enough to raise anybody’s anxiety levels.

Driving in snow can be highly dangerous and when the roads are coated, the chances of sliding and having an accident are increased.

For these reasons, fear of driving in rain and fear of driving in snow is at the top of the list of bad weather driving fears. Thunderstorms and wind can also cause visibility issues.

If you already have a fear of storms or tornados, then you may be anxious to get to where you are going and find yourself paying more attention to the sky then to the road.

If you are highly anxious about driving in any of these weather situations, and it affects your ability to live freely, then it is time to take some action to regain control of your life.

What Can I Do?

There are many methods to overcome one’s anxiety of any situation, including driving in bad weather. Using calming techniques can be highly beneficial.

Meditation
Positive Self Talk
Breathing Exercises
Calming Music

These can work in a variety of situations. For instance, if you are driving and the sky looks dark and threatening, pop in some calming music and do some deep breathing.

You can learn how to meditate and when it is raining while you are behind the wheel you can go a happier place in your mind that meditation helped you to find.

If all else fails, talk yourself though it. Talk out loud to yourself and encourage yourself with statements like “I am strong and I can make it home.” Or “I will not let this beat me, I can get to work.”

Reframe And Refocus

Try reframing your way of thinking. What do you fear is going to happen? Take the answer and come up with the best case scenario instead.

Reframe reality. The likelihood of being harmed by a tornado popping up in the sky is very low.

Remind yourself of this, as well as the fact that your anxiety is not rational. (This is not always the case of course. Sometimes weather can be dangerous so know when to stay put.)

Refocus your attention. Instead of worrying about what the weather is doing, try focusing on something else.

This something else can be as simple as counting. Divert your attention to your something other than your mounting anxiety.

Create A Peaceful Feeling

The mind is a powerful thing and the memories it holds are just as powerful. Find something in your memory that you have linked to a happier time.

For example, think of a song that was playing on the radio during your first date. Even if it was 20 years ago, I bet that song still makes you feel fuzzy and warm.

This is because your mind has associated the song with the feeling of excitement and puppy love on your first date.

If you think of this song, sing it or even hum it, you can find that feeling again and this can help to drop your anxiety level.

Counseling

Sometimes if a fear is too great, you need to seek professional assistance in overcoming it.

If you are fearful of driving in certain weather situation then it is likely your fear stems from somewhere deeper and that is worth exploring.

A skilled counselor can help you do this. You can also try counseling yourself though self-help methods. There are many types of books and CD’s that contain information on how to teach you to get past your fear and anxiety.

Some of them are extremely helpful and have been proven to eliminate your fears connected with driving for good. One such program is called the The Original Driving Fear Program.

You can teach (or re-teach) yourself from home and from your car with the included CD’s. This is something you can have to put in the car’s CD player when a moment of fear creeps up on you.

Being scared is a horrible feeling. You feel a loss of power and pride. You can however, get it back! Get help for your fears associated with driving and take back the roads – wet or dry.

When The Dark Keeps You Parked

cecil — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:09:49 +0000

There are many people who fear driving in the dark. If you do not drive in the dark because you suffer from night blindness, then it is probably a good idea not to do so.

However, if you experience anxiety because driving in the dark is something that scares you, then you should read this article.

There are many reasons that people are afraid to drive in the dark aside from night blindness.

Fear of not seeing where to turn and getting lost
Fear of getting into an accident
Fear of hitting a person on foot or bicycle
Fear of hitting an animal or a deer walking out into the road
Fear of not being able to see well wearing your glasses

Getting Lost In The Dark

When it is dark it can be difficult to navigate roads well, especially if you are not familiar with them to begin with.

It can be easy to miss your turn and have to turn around in another dark place you are unfamiliar with.

If this is coupled with the fear of getting lost, your anxiety can be much higher.

Fear Of Accidents In The Dark

At night it can be hard to spot another car, especially if it is foggy or if the other car is not using their headlights like they are supposed to.

This can of course cause accidents and coupled with a fear of getting into an accident, anxiety can triple.

Fear Of Hitting Someone In The Dark

Not everyone follows the rules of the road and follows safe practices. There are people who will walk along the side of the road wearing dark clothing.

There are bike riders who do the same and sometimes, you cannot see these people until you are very close to them.

Fear Of Animals In The Road

If you are in a rural area, the possibility of a deer running into the road is a high possibility, especially during particular seasons.

Other animals can also wander into the road and our first instinct, when anything crosses our path while driving, is to swerve away from hitting it.

Many creatures come out at night and this is a possible event.

Driving With Glasses

Many times, people who wear glasses have a fear of driving in the dark.

This is mainly because many models of spectacles are made without taking night driving into consideration.

Glares from lights on other cars can make you highly anxious and fearful of driving in the dark.

If any of these things have happened to you before you may be even more fearful of night driving.

However, there will be some time in your life when you will have to drive at night.

An emergency will arise in which you will have no other option. So, how to you get past this fear?

What Can You Do?

If you are fearful of driving at night there are steps that you can take to lessen your anxiety.

Learn the tricks of driving in the dark
Drive slower then you normally would in the daytime
Learn calming techniques
Learn self help methods
Learn with a partner
Purchase glasses designed for night driving

There are certain things you can do to improve your quality of driving at night, therefore lowering your anxiety levels. The main thing is seeing well.

If you do not have night blindness but still feel ill equipped to see in the dark, then you can do the following:

‣ Bend your rear view mirror. (Most are able to be set in a down position so the lights behind you are not as bright but you can still clearly see what is back there)

‣ Use the right headlight for you. If you can see better with the brights on then use them. (Remember to be courteous though and do not blind on coming drivers.)

‣ If you find yourself drifting, try focusing on the white line. This can help you to refocus your attention and keep you on the road safely.

Driving on the road is not a race. If you feel uncomfortable driving the speed limit then go a bit slower.

Watch your speed though as driving too slow can also cause accidents.

A good idea here is to but on your hazard lights so that others coming up behind you can see you there and realize that you are moving slow. This will help to prevent accidents.

Use calming techniques in order to keep anxiety at bay.

Deep breathing, calming music and talking out loud to yourself to help you make it from point A to point B can be very helpful in lowering anxiety.

Bring along a buddy to help you while you are learning to overcome your fear.

If you must drive at night and are fearful of doing so, having another body in the car can be very reassuring.

You can now get glasses that are designed to deflect any bright lights and this was developed with night driving in mind.

Until I was able to get this type of eyewear, I found night driving to be unbearable as lights from oncoming traffic hurt my eyes and made seeing well difficult.

If you can get this type of eyewear then you are sure to see a big difference in your visibility and a drop in your anxiety dealing with fear of driving in the dark.

Self help programs can also be highly beneficial. They can teach you how to overcome all of your driving fears, not just this particular one.

Most self help programs come with workbooks, seminars and CD’s to take with you on the go.

A highly recommended program is the The Original Driving Fear Program and can help to you lose your anxiety for good.

No matter what you choose to do for help, you should certainly do something!

By allowing this fear to take over you are restricting yourself in a huge way.

Getting To The Root Of Your Driving Anxiety

cecil — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:38:39 +0000

Thousands of people across the globe suffer from some type of driving fear/phobia/anxiety or another. No one is immune to such psychological effects as these.

Overcoming the anxieties that affect your ability to drive comfortably is very important in this fast paced world and finding the root to your anxieties is the first step in becoming free of them.

This article will explore how to find the root of the problem and where to go from there to achieve your independence.

The Many Roots Of Driving Fear

There are many reasons that people experience fear and anxiety when it comes to driving.

‣ Past accidents/fear of accidents
‣ Fear of traffic and other cars on the road
‣ General Anxiety Disorder issues
‣ Fear of learning how to drive
‣ Fear of getting lost (many times due to having that experience before)

These are just a sampling of the reasons we feel driving anxiety. You can take your own reasons and apply the things in this article to them yourself for the same results.

In The Beginning

Many times, if you just explore your past, you can pinpoint the reason for your fear/anxiety. If you have been in, seen, or had a family member involved in a car accident them that root is clear.

If you are fearful of learning how to drive then maybe you have a parent who never learned or maybe you have GAD and fear any situation that puts you at risk for feeling stress.

No matter what your fear is, looking back to find the beginning of it can be a significant changing point in your life as it will allow you to move forward with the knowledge of why you feel how you do.

This is the beginning of personal empowerment.

Getting Started

To find the root of your driving fears, begin by thinking back on your first experience with this fear. What were you doing? Who was driving? How old were you?

These are important factors in figuring out why you are fearful of driving. Once you can figure this out, you can map out a plan of action to overcome this fear.

You Found It; Now What?

Now that you have found the root of your driving fear you can address it on a rational level.

Let us say for example, your fear of driving stemmed from being yelled at by your parent while being taught how to drive. This has made you feel incompetent behind the wheel.

You have been driving around all this time feeling incapable of doing it well while all the time it was because of someone else’s teaching methods. From there you can find the right technique for you to overcome this fear.

For a case like this, basic reframing and positive self talk would be beneficial.

What If I Cannot Find The Root?

Sometimes no matter how hard we search for the root of our driving fear we cannot find one. This can be frustrating for those who are fearful, as they want to be able to understand why they are fearful.

If you cannot find it right away, keep looking. Talk to others from your past such as parents, siblings or other family members and friends from your past.

Someone may remember something they find insignificant that can really open some doors for your memory.

Hypnosis

If all else fails you may want to try hypnosis. By allowing a professional to perform hypnosis on you, you may be able to find the cause buried in your unconscious mind.

This does not work for everyone but is certainly worth a try if nothing else has worked for you.

There Is Help

Whether or not you have been able to find the root of your driving fear you can still begin treatment. One great way of overcoming your driving fears is by using self help programs.

A good program can even help you to uncover the root of your fear when nothing else has worked.

A great program for this is The Original Driving Fear Program. Give self-help a shot. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Anxiety Induced By Claustrophobia

cecil — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:26:47 +0000

There are many things that can raise anxiety levels in people and many diagnoses that fit in well with anxiety disorders.

Claustrophobia is one of these. Someone who is claustrophobic fears small or enclosed spaces.

In severe cases, the claustrophobic cannot even be in a crowded area, even if the area itself is large.

For many who have this phobia, the thought of driving is very frightening.

This is because driving requires you to be in an enclosed space which is the root of the claustrophobics fear.

Read on for more information on this phobia and how it relates to your driving fears.

What Triggers Claustrophobic Anxiety?

● Even for the person whose claustrophobia is slight, there are certain triggers that can make it build up until they are in a full scale panic.

● Being in a small space such as a closet or bathroom stall

● Being in a situation where hands/arms and legs/feet are unable to move freely

● Flying in an airplane, especially a small craft

● Being in a large place, such as a mall, when there are large crowds of people

● Being in a car for long periods of time (or short periods, depending on the severity of the phobia)

● Being in elevators

● Taking certain medical tests such as MRI or CT Scan

There are many other examples and if you are reading this and suffer from claustrophobia, please take this information and apply it to what your triggers are.

Signs Of Rising Anxiety Due To Claustrophobia

By being aware of the signs of claustrophobia you can circumvent an anxiety attack before it peaks and there is no way out.

The most common signs that you are becoming anxious due to your claustrophobia are:

Nausea
Increased heart rate (pounding feeling in chest and ears)
Sweating
Shaking
Uneven breathing
Dizziness

Overcoming Your Anxiety

For a claustrophobic person, each day can present a situation in which they are put to the test.

If you are having multiple failures in controlling your anxieties then you may need to examine what you are doing and change some behaviors in order to take back your life.

This is especially true of the claustrophobic that is affected so severely that every day activities trigger their anxieties.

Everyday activities can be difficult for a claustrophobic including driving. Driving is a basic activity that people must do each day in order to live their lives normally.

You have to drive to and from work, to medical appointments and to take your children to and fro. In most areas of the country driving is a must for people to succeed.

So, if your claustrophobia is affecting this important area in your life then there are things you can do to ease your anxiety and in some cases, rid yourself of claustrophobic anxiety for good.

Get to the root of the problem
Relaxation techniques
Therapy
Hypnosis
Self-help programs

Understanding Your Phobia

Understanding your claustrophobia is a great step in the right direction to healing.

For many people who suffer from this phobia, something from their past can be tied in, making it clearer why the claustrophobia developed in the first place.

If you can pinpoint the event that made you claustrophobic in the first place your chances of overcoming it are much greater.

For me it happened as a child. I awoke from a nightmare and still in a sleepy haze, got out of bed and ran to the door to get my mother.

I slung the door open and went to dash out into the hall when I was stopped. I could not get out of my bedroom door!

I was pushing and it was dark but I was surrounded by things I could not see and it was as if a wall were keeping me in my room.

After hearing me yelling, my mother came in the door and after light flooded my bedroom I realized that I was in my closet.

Being roused from the nightmare coupled with my waking fear and inability to see in the dark, I ran into my closet instead of the exit door.

Ever since then I have been highly claustrophobic and can even still feel the panic in reliving that memory.

The anxiety caused by this small and seemingly insignificant event made it hard for me to ride in or drive a car; that is until I learned how to overcome it.

Relaxing Away The Phobia

Relaxation techniques have been highly successful for someone suffering from this type of phobia.

These include, but are not limited to, deep breathing, meditation, mental refocusing (going to your happy place) and calming music (music therapy).

Some of these can be used while driving and have been noted to be beneficial in cases where the anxiety has not reached peak levels.

These things should be done before your anxiety spikes.

Therapy To Free Yourself

There are many types of therapeutic techniques that can be employed by skilled therapists and can be very successful in treating anxiety caused by claustrophobia and even wipe out your claustrophobia entirely.

Just talking about it with a third party can be helpful, but a therapist can also use methods that you will find to be even more helpful in the long run.

One method is hypnosis. While this is not a 100% fool proof method of treatment (nothing is 100%), the results have been encouraging enough for it to be recommended for someone who is deeply affected by this phobia.

Another method that has more evidence behind it and is rooted in CBT is Systematic Desensitization.

This method takes you through all the aspects of your fear in a safe and relaxing environment and ends with you being slowly introduced into situations where your fear really takes hold.

The point is desensitizing you to what you fear the most and therefore overcoming it entirely.

A Step In The Right Direction With Self Help

Last by not least are self-help programs. There are many available that will help you work through the anxiety connected to your claustrophobia.

The best programs have a solid outline of the work you must do to be successful as well as DVD’s and CD’s that you can have with you when you are away from home.

It is best to choose a program that is specific to your main triggers. For instance, if driving is a trigger for you, as it was for me, you want to find a program that deals with fear of driving.

One such program, called the The Original Driving Fear Program, has seen wonderful results for people from all walks of life and who have all sorts of fears associated with driving anxiety.

It is very important to find help for your claustrophobic anxiety as it can be a severe hindrance in your daily life. If you are tired of being controlled by your own fears, then the time to get help in now.

Fear Of Driving Due To Past Accidents

cecil — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:02:23 +0000

If you have ever been a car accident then you know what a scary experience it can be even if it was a minor one. If you have ever seen an accident occur you may have never forgotten this sight and it has caused you to be fearful of driving.

The thing to remember though is that accidents are part of driving. You can cause them, other drivers can cause them, and weather, animals, or car problems can cause them. BUT this should not keep you from driving!

Just think, you can just as easily get into an accident walking down the road but this has not made you stop walking right? So, what can you do to overcome these fears?

Admit them
Thought reframing techniques
Attend therapy sessions
Join support groups
Use self-help programs

1. Admit Them

Admittance is always the first step to take when dealing with fears. It is easy to make excuses about why you would rather not drive.

Maybe you tell yourself that you have no need to drive as there is public transportation. Maybe you can tell other people that you are not afraid to drive you just prefer not to do it.

No matter what excuse you invent, you are simply lying to yourself and this is not healthy. Unless you can admit the problem you cannot work through it because according to you there are no problems to work through.

So, first off, stop lying to yourself and admit your fears.

2. Thought Reframing Techniques

Another good way to help overcome your fear is to reframe your thought process when the fear takes hold of you.

You do have the ability inside you to recover from these moments of panic and fear but the problem is that your mind tricks you by getting you to use the methods that serve to make your fears worse rather than better.

Fear and anxiety invade our lives and we think of them as something that must be resisted.

The truth is that these problems only get worse when you put effort into resisting and removing them and this can cause more issues then the anxiety itself.

The trick in this issue of this fear is that your mind is making you think that you are going to lose control and something horrible will happen.

Why do we allow ourselves to be tricked? The answer is because of the natural instinct we have to protect ourselves.

When dealing with the fear of driving due to past accidents, our minds trick us into fleeing from the problem or allowing it to overtake us when instead we should be taking a deep breath and waiting for the feeling to pass.

So, next time you are overcome with this anxiety and panic try not to let it make you turn tail and run.

Attempt to ride it out so when it passes you are able to see that your fears did not materialize and that they most likely never will.

3. Attend Therapy Sessions

If you have been mentally damaged by being in or witnessing an accident then perhaps the most important thing you can do for yourself is see a counselor.

As an unbiased third party, a counselor can see things in you that you cannot see in yourself. This allows them to be able to help you set goals that are in line with your issues.

Behavioral therapy is especially useful for this type of fear as the main focus of behavioral therapy is to retrain your thought processes.

Through therapy you can see that your fears are not rational but phobia based and once this is realized the real work can begin.

A therapist will work WITH you to set goals that all lead up to overcoming your fear of driving accidents and this can be very beneficial in helping you to become a confidant, less anxious driver.

4. Join Support Groups

Find a support group either in person or online. Talking about your feelings with others who understand and share them can be very cathartic. People who share the same fears can help and support each other.

They can help you work through your fears and vice versa. By hearing the experiences and fears of others it can help you to put your own feelings in a more rational context and help you to be able to move forward from them.

5. Use Self-Help Programs

Self-help tools can help you to overcome your fear of driving accidents in a big way. There are many books that address this very issue and by reading them you can find comfort in the fact that you are not the only one who has this fear.

Almost all drivers have had a fear of accidents at one time or another. Your problem is not specific only to you and you can overcome it like millions of others have done.

By using self help tools you are on your way to being a driver who can navigate the roads without fear of an accident. Most programs include worksheets and exercises that are aimed and overcoming this fear.

To find out more about self help tools do a simple internet search and you will find much information on this topic and your specific fear.

A wonderful program that has come highly recommended by others with similar fears is The Original Driving Fear Program. If you truly want to overcome you fear then this is something you should look into.

This can help you take back your life and regain confidence in your ability as a driver, so don’t wait to get the help that you need!

Readers Questions Answered 4 – Adults Without Drivers License

cecil — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 10:43:03 +0000

Jennifer wrote:

I am 31 years old, and I have the worst fear of driving in the world. I actually took my written test and passed, but haven’t gotten much further. My husband and I only have a truck for me to learn in but I’m terrified because it’s huge to me, and I guess after reading all your stories I have figured out that I’m scared that I will hit something or someone, or crash, or…I’m just scared to even attempt busy traffic. People down me because of my handicap….I feel less of a person because I can’t drive. I’m afraid that the people who are teaching me will get mad if I do something wrong…idk…I’ve got to do something. I know that GOD will take my fear away…I’m just waiting..if anyone has advice, it will be appreciated.

Whitney wrote:

Hello all, I am 24 yrs old, & I have a 5 yr old Child. & I have the fear of driving. She is soon to start school, and I am so embarrassed that I only have a permit. She even tells me to get my license!! I have my own car and all, I am just fearful and I am ready to overcome it! I just wish everyone luck, and want to remind you that 2: Timothy 1:7 says “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”. Let’s get out there People! AND DRIVE!!!!

Cindy wrote:

I feel like my whole life is the way it is because I don’t have my license. I’m 23 and terrified to drive. It has been impossible for me to find a job that fits my husband’s schedule so he can take me to work. Because of this we are living with his family right now while he works part time and goes to school. I feel so stupid when I even sit in the driver’s seat I start crying and think all these crazy things could happen. I actually picture a wheel of a semi flying of the semi and hitting me while I’m driving or me having no control over my vehicle. What’s worse is no one supports me except my husband and even he’s getting a little unsupportive. I constantly have to hear “Get over it you’re 23″. I’ve lost friends over this because I’m embarrassed about needing a ride all the time. No one understands what I’m going through and I’m just ready to get over this but I feel like I’ll never be able to drive without sweating or crying the whole time. I hate this feeling.

Our Answer:

Fear of driving is a very common thing. There are many adults who do not have their license due to this fear. So do not feel like you are alone – there are many like you in the world.

The reason for your fear may be due to lack of prior experience, anxiety over being on the road with other drivers, or another underlying anxiety disorder.

For instance, fearing that something will fly off another vehicle and hit your car is an irrational thought that fits right into the category of obsessive- compulsive disorder and be happy to know that there are treatments for this type of anxiety!

All of these fears that have kept you from getting your driver’s license are based on the specific fear that you cannot handle such a task when in truth, you can do it.

The problem is that you may be undermining your own abilities and causing yourself to stay inside your bubble of fear.

The first step you should take is getting your permit so you can slowly ease yourself into the task of driving and then learn at your own pace.

There are also specific ideas to help you and sources of fears addressed in other articles related to adults with no license.

To learn more on this specific fear, read the related article on that topic: Adults With No License Due To Fear Of Driving

Readers Questions Answered 5 – When Others Make You Afraid To Drive

cecil — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:12:08 +0000

Brian wrote:

I have a pretty serious fear of driving my car. It all started when some man in a white pickup truck tried to cut me off when two lanes merged into one, then he followed me into my neighborhood and got out of his car, and threatened to kill me for about 30 minutes. He was twice my size (definitely overweight) and liked Harley Davidson motorcycles. He talked about how he would tie a cinder block to my foot and throw me in a lake and how easy that would be. At this point, I was scared out of my mind. I surely thought I was going to be killed by this man.

Another incident came when someone on a motorcycle cut in front of me by using the shoulder to get to the front of the pack to a red light, so he could be first when it turned green. He ended up looking both ways at the intersection, and ran the red light. I wanted to get the license plate of this guy and report him to the local police for such a major traffic offense, but then the motorcyclist threatened me through my open window and said “you don’t want to mess with someone like me”, and then proceeded to speed up and pass six or seven other cars by using the shoulder again.

Then, one time, I was getting into my car to go leave for a movie. I had parked it at a school to go play football with a buddy of mine on the field….the school, which was nearby the onramp to go to the next town, had a good movie theater. As I was leaving to go catch the movie with my friend, a man dressed as a police officer approached my car when I was pulling out of the parking lot. He jumped right in front of my car and I swerved to get out of the way. I didn’t know if he was a policeman or not because he didn’t show me any badge, nor did I see a police cruiser nearby, and his actions of attempting to stop the car with his own body seemed like it could have been just a weirdo on drugs, so I freaked out. As I swerved around him to get out of his way, he threw his maglight into my back passenger window, which shattered and cut my face, the maglight sitting in my back seat. I didn’t know what to do, so I went home. I ended up realizing he was a legitimate police officer when my friend, who was stopped at gunpoint by the same officer, allowed the policeman to use his cell phone to call me, and he left a message saying he wanted his maglight back. I invited the police over to my house and they thought I was attempting to run over the police officer, but I honestly didn’t want to do that, that’s why I swerved out of the way. When they were interrogating me, asking why I didn’t stop, I told them honestly that I didn’t think the man was a real cop, since I saw no badge or police vehicle (until they came over to my house).

All three of these events have culminated to me not wanting to drive, any more. I haven’t driven my car, or any other car, in almost a year, for fear of driving it. Also, I have a couple speeding tickets, which will stay on my record permanently if I get another one before I turn 23. I am 21 right now.

I am currently taking 4mg of clonazepam and 200mg of seroquel at night, because I have lingering fears about that man in my first story, coming to my house to kill me, so I can never sleep at night, and I had some really bad panic attacks, ending in either losing my lunch, having full body shakes for fifteen minutes at a time while also feeling as if I am going to have a heart attack and I have trouble breathing. Sometimes the panic attacks are so bad that I literally cannot move. It’s like I’m playing dead, except shaking all over. Since taking the medication I have been prescribed, I haven’t had many panic attacks–I usually only have them if I am in an unfamiliar setting with people I don’t trust well. I also have test anxiety, which means I cannot fall asleep the night before a test.

So…having this fear of driving has caused me to come up with a whole round of excuses as to why I “can’t” drive, that I tell friends, who want to hang out and seem a bit perturbed that I don’t have my own form of transportation. Most of my days I live out at home, since I’m terrified to go out by myself in my car, unless I am picked up by a trusting friend or driven by my parents or older sister. It makes me feel as if I have no independence whatsoever. It also doesn’t help that my car looks like hell since I dented the front end badly and never replaced it (don’t have enough money/don’t want to do it/would rather buy a different car), when my foot slipped off the brake pedal at a red light and hit the gas while I was in 1st, causing me to slam the back of the car in front of me.

I think the only way I am going to start driving again is if I get a new car–the old one is haunted with bad memories.

Monica wrote:

I am terrified of being in cars. I have had a car crash caused by another driver which caused me to rollover three times and I remember vividly rolling over at times. The other driver didn’t even check to see if I was alive. I did wear a seatbelt and only hot a minor cut to my arm. After that I tried riding a bicycle and another car crashed into me, failing to see me because of the sun . In that accident I got catapulted onto the windshield hurting my back. No I take the bus which makes me feel safer. If I get in a car anything over 45 km/ hr makes me anxious and uncomfortable. I also tend to argue with drivers and give them driving instructions when I feel they are inattentive. It’s such a hardship!!!!! But I can’t even think about trying after so many failures. It’s not my driving that scares me- it’s other people’s driving that terrifies me, drunk drivers, people that text and drive or have conversations in the car.

Barb wrote:

Hi, for the last 10 years I was in a very insecure relationship with a man who had to control everything. Well, he never let me drive. He always took me wherever I needed to go. But I had no freedom of my own. Anyway, he passed away suddenly and now I HAVE to drive. He made me so afraid that now I can barely sit in the driver seat without feeling a panic attack. I have tried over and over. I know that once I get over the initial fear, I will be ok. But I just cannot seem to be able to even back the car out.

Our Answer:

It can be terrifying to have a run in with another driver or to be shut off from the experience of driving by someone else. Though this is scary, it is not as uncommon as you may think.

Out of the millions of people who have a fear of driving, many of these fears stem from something someone else has caused to happen in your life.

The thing you must remember is that you are the only one that you can control and there is no such thing as being marked with bad luck.

For Brian, I know it must feel like this is the case with all the incidents that have happened to him and this feeling is normal, but, at some point you have to realize that they are just things that have happened and should not be allowed to take control of your life.

If you are sure that something bad will happen each time you drive then it probably will. Do not become a victim of self fulfilling prophecies.

While someone else caused these fears to manifest, you are the only one that can do the work to overcome them.

Some tips to begin this process include therapy, anxiety reducing techniques, and self-help programs.

To find out more on these and other suggestions for overcoming your fear see the article related to this topic: When Others Cause Your Fear Of Driving

Adults With No License Due To Fear Of Driving

cecil — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:30:36 +0000

Getting a driver’s license is a coming of age milestone for most teenagers. But what if you are over 21 and still do not have it?

If you fear has stopped you from getting the thing that will make you an independent adult then read on because you are not alone and there are things that can be done to remedy this problem.

The first step in the process of overcoming your fear of driving is too figure out the root of the fear. Ask yourself the following question: “Why as an adult, am I fearful of getting my driver’s license?”

The most common answers will be

You were never taught as a child and fear it is too late
Your mom or dad never got their license out of fear of driving and it rubbed off on you
You are afraid of accidents
You tried to learn as a teenager and failed so are afraid to try again
You panic in high stress situation and are afraid you may panic when driving

These are the most common reasons that adults do not have their driver’s licenses.

If you were not given a chance to learn as a child or you were given a chance and were taught by someone who was a bad teacher (yelled at your when you made mistakes, had no patience to actually teach you well) you may have developed a fear of learning.

Maybe you saw that your parent was scared of learning to drive and that fear was projected onto you.

Maybe you fear accidents or have a panic disorder that you are afraid that this will affect you will driving.

All of the above were true for me. I did not get my driver’s license until I was nearly 22 years old!

My mother never had her license and when I saw my father teach her how to drive it was just horrible! He screamed and yelled at her and made her so miserable and nervous that she gave up trying to learn. She is now 57 and has never had a driver’s license!

I suffer from OCD (a type of anxiety disorder) and one of my obsessions is fear of doing something wrong and getting into an accident, of which I have already been in three! But, now at age 32, I have been a licensed driver for a little over 10 years now.

Thankfully I had support and good advice to help me overcome this fear and shame that as an adult I was a non-driver.

How I Did It And How You Can To!

The first step for me was the realization that if I did not overcome this fear my whole life would depend upon what other people could do for me in their own time. I wanted my freedom to go where I wanted, when I wanted without having to call a friend for a ride.

No license meant having to find work hours that fit someone else’s schedule and I came to the point where I was sick of this! The decision must be made that you HAVE to get your license and then you can deal with the rest.

The following are steps that I took and steps that can help you as well:

Ask a trusted friend to help
Get your panic and anxiety under control with proven methods
Get some support from other adults with the same fears

To begin with, address your fears openly and honestly and without shame. There are so many others who are in the same boat as you are. Find them to get and give support.

Maybe you will even meet someone whom you can work with towards reaching your goals together. Having someone else who shares your feeling can help you both feel stronger and more confidant.

If you have panic or anxiety issues, talk to your doctor or therapist about them. There may be help there for you to overcome your anxieties before you attempt getting your license.

Your doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medications to help you overcome this aspect of your fear. Therapy can help you find the cause of the original issue and work through it in order to build confidence and free yourself of shame and embarrassment.

The most important step for me was to ask for help from my friends. One in particular was my saving grace. After I had addressed the core issues and my anxiety, I was ready to put myself out there and attempt to learn how to drive.

The friend I asked was an experienced driver, had great patience, and was encouraging even when I made mistake after mistake. There was no yelling or agitation during the lessons and this made it to where I was able to relax enough to actually learn.

It took me several times out on the road to get the basics down and feel safe enough to take the actual driving test. I took that test NINE TIMES before I finally passed and was issued a driver’s license. Once I did get it though it was the proudest moment of my life.

I was still afraid to drive but I had overcome enough to get the license AND YOU CAN TOO.

Use whatever tools and methods you think you need but make a commitment today that you will learn to drive and will be a free and independent adult.

Though I drive every day, I still have fears about driving but I have them under control.

I am able to do this through a great self-help program called The Original Driving Fear Program.

This program gets me though those fearful and anxious moments and it can help you too!

Using this program in addition to the above mentioned tips will have you driving in no time and doing it without high levels of fear and anxiety!

When Others Cause Your Fear Of Driving

cecil — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:30:04 +0000

While we are ultimately responsible for our own choices and responses, it is possible for other people to be the main contributors to your driving fear and anxiety. What kinds of situations can breed such fear?

Being attacked by someone with road rage
Another driver tailgating you
Being pulled over by someone pretending to be an officer
Being cut off continually by other drivers
Having an accident and being threatened or attacked by the other driver
Having your ability undermined by friends or family members

All of the above are things that others do to contribute to the development of your fear of driving.

Road rage is common for many people. For someone who has encountered someone with road rage, it can be a very scary experience. There have been cases of people actually stopping their cars and threatening the other drivers.

Tailgating is another huge issue with today’s drivers. This is when the car behind you gets so close you could touch it out the back window.

This can make for a highly stressful situation for the person being tailed. Many victims of tailgating are tempted to slam on their breaks to teach the other driver a lesson.

Others tend to slow down even more to show the other driver that if they need to go faster that they can pass simply pass them.

For the person who tailgates, this can be dangerous for you as well. The person you are behind just may be one of those people who have road rage and they can get pretty angry and sometimes violent.

While police officers are here to serve and protect, it can be dangerous to stop for one if the roads are otherwise empty, it is dark or late at night, or if you just feel unsafe.

Most cops understand this fear and will not penalize you for not pulling over until you get to a well lighted and safer area.

However, if you have ever been stopped and the person ended up being one that has impersonated an officer this can cause deep seeded fear of driving period. People like this are out to harm you or rob you and what a scary experience that can be indeed!

When people cut you off this can bring out a fear of getting into accidents. This type of driving behavior occurs all the time and everyone has experienced it and done it at least once during their driving years.

If this happens to you a lot you may feel that you have a dark cloud following you around and may want to give up driving to make it to go away.

Lastly, other people can do great damage to you by teasing or belittling the way you drive. Anyone who has been made fun of our put down for a particular skill they may or may not have can be emotionally and mentally affected. This alone can cause a fear of driving.

If others tell you that you are no good at it then you may begin to actually believe this is truth.

How Can You Overcome This Type Of Fear?

While these are valid fears, you cannot allow the actions of others to dictate what you do or not do in your life. This type of fear is very real and hard to overcome but it can be done.

Do not let the tailgater get to you
Do not give in to road rage
Do not pull over for anyone other than a real officer
Drive defensively
Don’t panic

Overcoming your driving fears that are caused by others can be a hard task, but the above suggestions are a good place to begin.

If you are being tailgated, resist the urge to take revenge. Keep at your own pace and if the other vehicle does not back off you can either switch lanes (if possible) or call 911.

Tell them what the situation is and where you are located and an officer will track your position and pull the tailgater over.

Do not give into road rage yourself or put yourself in a position to where you suffer the wrath of another road ragger. This means that you do not pull over if someone with rage wants you to.

It also means that if you are at a stop light and another driver approaches you that you lock your doors and call 911. Safety first!

If you are being signaled to pull over by an officer, do not do so if you feel unsure or unsafe. If the other car is not a police car and just has a light, or the person getting out of the car is not in full uniform then you may be dealing with an imposter. Drive until you feel that you are in a safe area to pull over in.

If the person was not really a cop, once you stop in a well lit, populated area, they will not stop with you. If the officer was in fact the real deal, they will understand your concern and will not cite you for failure to stop.

Officers know what the dangers are and understand your need to feel safe and protected.

Taking a class on defensive driving can be an excellent help! These lessons can come in handy for the tailgating issues as well as the issues of being cut off.

Most of all don’t panic. If you can keep your head in a stressful situation, chances are that you will come out of it just fine.

If You Need Further Assistance

If you feel that you need more attention to overcome your fears you may want to try counseling.

If something serious has happened due to the actions of other drivers then you may be suffering from PTSD. This requires professional attention.

Another great way to help you is a self help program like The Original Driving Fear Program.

Self-help programs allow you to take things at your own pace and if used as directed can help you overcome your fears for good!

Overcoming Your Fear Of Driving In Heavily Populated Areas

cecil — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:53:26 +0000

Imagine yourself driving down a nice and quiet, country road. This can be a peaceful experience indeed. There is nothing but you, the road, and the fresh air. There is no fear and no anxiety, only bliss.

Now imagine yourself driving on a six lane highway that is jammed with traffic and the sound of horns blaring. Are you feeling the fear and anxiety now? If so, you may have a fear of driving in heavily populated areas.

What Are Heavily Populated Areas?

Interstates during rush hour
Cities with dense people population
Large cities in general

If you live or work in a large city such as Manhattan, Chicago, or Los Angeles, it is probable that you will be exposed to driving conditions that include heavy populations of vehicles on the roads.

Maybe you do not live or work in such a place but must navigate roads that lead you home or to work which are heavily populated.

No matter why you are driving in these conditions, the fact remains that your anxiety levels and fears come to life when you must face driving in heavily populated areas. This is not however, something that you have to live with.

How To Cope With Fearful Driving Situations

Build confidence through training
Listen to relaxing music or self help Cd’s
Practice deep breathing
Take your anxiety meds before driving if you have them prescribed
Pull over if you feel that you cannot handle the heavy traffic
Find alternate routes when possible
Drive only during down time hours if possible

Not all people are used to driving in heavily populated areas. If you are one of these people you may fear:

Hitting a pedestrian
Hitting another car
Being hit by another car
Missing a turn and having to turn around and navigate though the heavy traffic once again

These are valid fears for one who is only experienced in driving in small towns. The above tips can help to lower your anxiety levels and get used to this type of driving experience.

One great tip is to take a class in defensive driving. If you have ever even ridden in a car in a highly populated area, you know that the best offense is a good defense.

Learning defensive driving skills can not only build your confidence about driving in heavy traffic, but can also keep you safe.

If all the other drivers around you are driving defensively and you are not, you are more prone to get into or cause an accident. Along with training, keep things in your car that bring you comfort and help you to relax.

Many people like to listen to relaxing music on the radio. Deep breathing works as well. Do this to keep yourself calm and centered so as not to create a situation where you begin to panic.

If at all possible, do your driving when the traffic is at its lowest. Also if possible, find an alternative route to your destination that does not take you through such heavily populated areas.

Most of all stay alert. Knowing what is going on around you can help you to focus and keep your anxiety levels down. Pay attention to the other drivers as well as pedestrians.

Therapy For Your Fear

Sometimes you just cannot overcome a fear on your own. Going to see a therapist can be very helpful and a good first step at becoming anxiety free while driving in areas with heavy population.

A therapist will be able to provide you with more tips on how to overcome your fears as well.

If therapy is not for you (maybe you are not comfortable sharing with a stranger or maybe cost is an issue) you can find some wonderful self-help programs.

One such program, The Original Driving Fear Program, can be the most helpful tool for helping you to overcome your fear.

If there is no way for you to avoid driving in highly populated areas then you must get the help you need to free yourself of this fear. Once you take that first step towards liberation you will wonder why it took you so long in the first place!