A person may feel anxious about driving for various reasons. Whether they feel fear over the act of driving or being in a vehicle, this anxiety can affect their everyday life.
Past experiences or existing anxiety disorders may contribute to driving anxiety.
This article discusses driving anxiety and what may cause it. It also explores symptoms, treatments, and alternative strategies that may help someone manage the condition.
What is driving anxiety?
Jesada Athaput/EyeEm/Getty Images
Fear or phobia of driving a vehicle may cause a person to feel driving anxiety. It can result in significant distress and impact someone’s everyday life. A person may experience emotional distress while driving and avoid certain situations on the road or driving in general.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)Trusted Source explains that specific phobia is an intense and irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. It estimates that 12.5% of American adultsTrusted Source experience a specific phobia at some point in their lives.
For someone with driving anxiety, the thought of getting in a car may result in symptoms of anxiety. In addition, a person may try to avoid situations where they need to drive or get into a vehicle. This alone can cause additional symptoms of stress or anxiety.
It is important to note that driving anxiety is not an official condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). However, a person may have a phobia associated with driving anxiety. Amaxophobia is a fear of being in a vehicle either as a passenger or driver, and vehophobia is a fear of driving.
Causes of driving anxiety
For some people, driving anxiety may result from being in a road accident or witnessing one. However, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), most driving phobias are not related to an experience with an accident.
Below are some common fears and causes of anxiety about driving.
Past negative experiences
A person may remember past negative experiences they have had in a vehicle and worry that a similar scenario will play out again. Examples include:
driving through bad weather, such as a storm, snow, or fog
being a victim of road rage
having a panic attack while driving
getting lost.
What is it?
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Driving alternatives
Summary
A person may feel anxious about driving for various reasons. Whether they feel fear over the act of driving or being in a vehicle, this anxiety can affect their everyday life.
Past experiences or existing anxiety disorders may contribute to driving anxiety.
This article discusses driving anxiety and what may cause it. It also explores symptoms, treatments, and alternative strategies that may help someone manage the condition.
What is driving anxiety?
Jesada Athaput/EyeEm/Getty Images
Fear or phobia of driving a vehicle may cause a person to feel driving anxiety. It can result in significant distress and impact someone’s everyday life. A person may experience emotional distress while driving and avoid certain situations on the road or driving in general.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)Trusted Source explains that specific phobia is an intense and irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. It estimates that 12.5% of American adultsTrusted Source experience a specific phobia at some point in their lives.
For someone with driving anxiety, the thought of getting in a car may result in symptoms of anxiety. In addition, a person may try to avoid situations where they need to drive or get into a vehicle. This alone can cause additional symptoms of stress or anxiety.
It is important to note that driving anxiety is not an official condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). However, a person may have a phobia associated with driving anxiety. Amaxophobia is a fear of being in a vehicle either as a passenger or driver, and vehophobia is a fear of driving.
Additionally, a healthcare professional may diagnose a person with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or another mental health condition if symptoms interfere with a person’s everyday activities.
Causes of driving anxiety
For some people, driving anxiety may result from being in a road accident or witnessing one. However, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), most driving phobias are not related to an experience with an accident.
Below are some common fears and causes of anxiety about driving.
Past negative experiences
A person may remember past negative experiences they have had in a vehicle and worry that a similar scenario will play out again. Examples include:
driving through bad weather, such as a storm, snow, or fog
being a victim of road rage
having a panic attack while driving
getting lost
Existing anxiety disorders
People who have an anxiety disorder may experience symptoms while driving. For example, GAD may cause someone to have difficulty concentrating or making decisions while driving. This may lead to a person losing confidence in their driving ability.
Additionally, someone who is experiencing significant stress or life changes may be susceptible to driving anxiety.
Driving alone in an unfamiliar place
Some people may fear getting lost while driving, breaking down, or running out of gas. They may worry that their phone will have no signal, and they will not be able to get help if they need it.
Additionally, people may feel unsafe driving alone at night or worry that they cannot see potential hazards clearly when it is dark outside.
Fear of dying in an accident
Fear may cause a person to consider worst-case scenarios and not trust their own or other drivers’ abilities.
Even though someone may not have directly experienced a car accident, their imagination may make them feel anxious about the possibility of dying in an accident.
Being trapped and having a panic attack
People with existing anxiety about being trapped, such as claustrophobia, may become anxious while stationary in traffic. Additionally, people who have had a previous panic attack may fear that they will have one again while driving.
Summary
Driving anxiety is a specific phobia that can affect someone’s mental health and cause anxiety symptoms. It may also restrict a person’s everyday activities.
Possible treatments involve exposure therapy, CBT, or other talk therapies. Some people may decide to use public transportation or walk instead of driving.
A person may consider speaking with a healthcare professional about treatment for driving anxiety
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