Supporting clients with
driving anxiety since 2012
07736 834568
What is a Phobia?
A phobia is a type of fear. Fear is a normal part of life. Without fear we wouldn’t be able to take sensible precautions in order to keep ourselves safe from genuinely dangerous situations. For example, it is normal to feel anxious about walking alone down a dark alley at night. In this sense anxiety is useful as it warns us when danger is threatening.
Severe anxiety - fear is also very useful, especially when we find ourselves in a situation of real danger. For example, being confronted by a hungry lion! Fear is just the reaction we need! In a situation like this, fear releases adrenaline and other chemicals into our body and this speeds up our heart beat, sharpens our senses and heightens our physical powers. These changes in our body happen automatically and is preparing us for what is known as the “Flight or Fight” response. This means we either “Fight” for our lives or to run for safety (“Flight”).
A phobia is a disorder in which our body reacts in exactly the same way in situations where there is absolutely no need for the “Flight or Fight” response. For example, driving across a busy town centre or on a motorway.
What is a Driving Phobia?
Driving Phobias are very common. In fact, many people suffer from driving phobia without even knowing. There are many different types of driving phobias. A few include; driving in heavy traffic, driving on motorways, parking in busy areas, driving at night, driving on steep hills, dealing with other road users, dealing with roundabouts or complex junctions. These are just a few examples of driving phobias as driving phobia can manifest itself around any part of the driving experience.
What are the symptoms of Driving Phobia?
Driving phobia can produce a number of unpleasant physical symptoms of “normal” fear. These could include:
• Heart Palpitations
• Feeling Unreal
• Jelly Legs
• Feeling Sick
• Difficulty Breathing
• Dizziness
• Dry Throat
• Chest Pains
• Intense Sweating
• Fuzzy Vision or Hearing
In severe cases you may “feel” like your about to die or go mad. There can sometimes be a “feeling” of yourself losing control or injuring someone.
The most overpowering “feeling” is normally the urge to “leave or escape” from the situation you are in and this in turn develops a fear of the situation because of the unpleasant experience.
This is the main behaviour which makes the phobia stronger - avoidance of the situation.
What causes Driving Phobia?
The cause of a driving phobia can vary. A driving phobia could have been caused by a traumatic experience which acts as a trigger when you are in similar situations. An example of this could include being involved in a car accident either as a passenger or driver.
To be honest, whether you know the cause or not is irrelevant. The main thing is that you have noticed the problem and are seeking positive help to overcome your phobia.
What is Drive Therapy?
Drive Therapy is a simple step by step course which helps you conquer your driving phobia, whatever it may be. Having studied and researched the effects of anxiety and phobias, I find that by using a variety of Life Coaching, Advanced Driver Training, CBT and Behavioural Change techniques an effective way to help you slowly overcome your driving phobia. So you can relax and enjoy driving again!
No medication or hypnotherapy is required.
What is required is your courage and commitment to face your fears in a controlled and structured way with my support and coaching!
For more information or to arrange a complimentary 30 minute phone consultation
Call us on 07736 834568 or Email info@csm-driving.com