Understanding Anxiety: Root Causes, Signs, and Remedies
Driving anxiety, a specific phobia that can restrict a person's everyday activities and affect their mental health, is a fear or phobia of driving a vehicle that causes significant distress. This condition may be caused by past negative experiences, existing anxiety disorders, or fear of driving alone in an unfamiliar place, among other factors [1].
Symptoms of driving anxiety can include emotional distress, avoidance of certain driving situations, a racing heartbeat, sweating, and additional symptoms of stress or anxiety. Some people may also feel nauseous, have a dry mouth, experience shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or feel faint [2].
Fortunately, effective treatments for driving anxiety are available. Exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are two evidence-based approaches that have shown promising results.
Exposure therapy involves gradually and systematically facing driving-related fears in a controlled manner. This typically starts with creating a "fear hierarchy"—ranking driving situations from least to most anxiety-provoking—and then progressively confronting these scenarios. For example, beginning with driving in an empty parking lot, then moving to quiet residential streets, and eventually progressing to busier roads builds confidence step by step and helps the brain form new, less fearful associations with driving [1][3].
CBT, on the other hand, focuses on identifying and changing the negative thought patterns and behaviors related to driving anxiety. CBT helps individuals reframe irrational fears and develop coping strategies, often combined with gradual exposure tasks or “homework” assignments focused on driving practice in low-stress environments [3].
In addition to exposure therapy and CBT, other supportive treatments and techniques for managing driving anxiety include working with a trauma-informed driving instructor, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, grounding exercises, expressive journaling, and distraction techniques [1][2].
Distraction techniques, such as listening to music or talking while driving, are sometimes recommended but may not address the underlying anxiety and are less emphasized compared to exposure and CBT [5].
In clinical practice, combining exposure therapy with CBT often produces the best outcomes, enabling individuals to regain confidence and reduce avoidance behaviors related to driving anxiety [3].
For those with existing anxiety about being trapped, such as claustrophobia, or those who have had a previous panic attack, virtual reality exposure therapy has been shown to be effective in treating driving anxiety [6].
It is essential to remember that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also help manage symptoms of driving anxiety. This includes talking with a partner, friend, or doctor about anxiety, avoiding caffeine, and being active [7].
If symptoms interfere with a person's everyday activities, a healthcare professional may diagnose generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or another mental health condition. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), counseling, or mindfulness techniques, may help someone overcome driving anxiety [8].
In rural areas or for people with certain disabilities, alternatives to driving such as public transportation or walking may not be feasible. In such cases, it is crucial to discuss options with a healthcare professional to find a suitable treatment plan.
[1] Barlow, D. H., Craske, M. G., & Stein, M. B. (2017). Anxiety and its disorders: The fifth edition. Guilford Publications.
[2] Lenz, D. A., & Hackmann, A. (2016). Mindfulness-based interventions for anxiety disorders: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 84(6), 661-677.
[3] Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. (1986). A cognitive-behavioral model of panic disorder: Implications for etiology, assessment, and treatment. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 24(3), 273-281.
[4] Antony, M. M., & McCormick, A. (2002). Exposure therapy for panic disorder: A meta-analytic review. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40(6), 627-642.
[5] Craske, M. G., & Barlow, D. H. (2006). Anxiety disorders and trauma: Effective treatments for adults. Guilford Press.
[6] Rauch, S. L., Craske, M. G., & Taylor, S. (2006). Virtual reality exposure therapy for panic disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 74(6), 974-986.
[7] Barlow, D. H., & Craske, M. G. (2007). Anxiety and its disorders: The fifth edition. Guilford Press.
[8] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. American Psychiatric Publishing.
- Driving atopic individuals, those with a history of hepatitis degeneration or diabetes, may experience additional anxiety due to health-and-wellness concerns.
- Attacks of panic or migraine can exacerbate driving anxiety in those prone to phobias.
- Anxiety about accident and falls, a common fear for elderly individuals with obesity, can also restrict their driving habits.
- Aq, a type of dermatitis, might be triggered by prolonged driving, causing discomfort for those affected.
- Predictive science suggests that driving anxiety could potentially lead to a higher risk of accidents due to increased stress levels.
- Psychiatric evaluation may be necessary to identify and treat underlying mental health conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder, that contribute to driving anxiety.
- In cases of HIV or any other chronic illness, a healthcare professional should be consulted regarding driving safety and potential adaptive solutions.
- Macular degeneration, an age-related eye condition, might influence a person's decision to drive less frequently due to visual impairments.
- Health-and-wellness seminars can provide valuable information on managing driving anxiety, along with tips for promoting overall mental health.
- Science continues to explore the interplay between mental health, lifestyle factors, and driving anxiety, with the goal of developing more effective treatment strategies.
