Fear of driving: causes, symptoms and how to overcome amaxophobia
Each person has their own fears. There are those who fear heights, those who fear darkness, disease or even death. Any fear has arisen from a very specific cause which, however, is not always known. However, tracing back to this origin is very often the key to dealing with this phobia once and for all. For example, did you know that there is even the fear of love, called, by the most expert in technical terms, philophobia?
Today, however, we will better discover a phobia that is taken too much for granted, or the fear of driving. Not all those who suffer from it do it for the same reasons: in fact, even if the symptoms presented are almost always the same, there can be multiple causes behind it. Fortunately, there are various ways to overcome amaxophobia, depending on its intensity, its symptoms and even its origin.
See also
What is amaxophobia?
The term amaxophobia derives from the Greek amaxos, that is to say wagon, and from phobia, which means, in fact, fear. It consists in the fear of driving a vehicle which, nowadays, translates into the fear of driving. This phobia is usually found in people belonging to different age groups, ranging from newly licensed to adults with more experience. Although both men and women can suffer from it, more cases have been found among the female population.
You can distinguish the slight anxiety typical of those who have just got the license from the real amaxophobia in various ways. First of all, the stress of new drivers subsides after a few months, especially by continuously practicing in driving the car and perfecting driving in the streets more "difficult", such as motorways or fast-flowing ones. Then, the fear of driving is recognized by the level of anxiety that is disproportionate to the circumstances. Finally, those who have this phobia tend to give up more and more to get behind the wheel. Very often, amaxophobics preclude themselves from certain occasions, for leisure or work , or they go on a much more complex journey rather than taking their car and driving.
Symptoms of the fear of driving
When you have a strong fear of getting behind the wheel, you generally experience the same psycho-physical symptoms as any other phobia. First of all, you can notice an "acceleration of the heartbeat, dizziness, sudden increase in sweating and shortness of breath. In addition, the sense of anxiety that assails us when we are very afraid of something can affect the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in episodes of nausea, diarrhea and other gastric disturbances.
In the most serious cases, amaxophobia leads people who suffer from it to real panic attacks. Especially in such a situation, the fear of driving should not be underestimated, even more so if the vehicle, car or motorcycle that is , it is already in motion, even at a low speed.
The causes
As we have already mentioned, knowing the causes behind amaxophobia is of great help in trying to face and overcome this fear. First of all, it is important to understand if this fear is also linked to external factors or to the simple fact of driving.
- Causes external to driving
For example, there are people who are afraid of driving in the dark and, therefore, in this case, amaxophobia joins nictophobia, or fear of darkness. Other times, claustrophobia due to indoor road sections such as tunnels or the sense of overcrowding caused by rush hour traffic. Finally, those who suffer from vertigo may be afraid of driving on bridges, flyovers and even hairpin bends in the mountains.
- Internal driving causes
Then, there follow all those factors that concern, instead, the action of being behind the wheel. In such circumstances, the fear of driving is very often attributable to trauma. Having suffered an accident as a driver or as a passenger, having seen one while walking or driving or even having a family member or friend involved in a road tragedy is one of the main causes that lead a person to fear driving a car or any vehicle in general.
If no accident or traumatic episode of this type has been experienced, then the origin of amaxophobia is entirely psychological and is linked to the symbolic aspect of the act of driving. Experts say that these amaxophobics are afraid of taking control over something that, in the situation under consideration, is identified with a "car or a motorcycle. In reality, this fear is wider and consists of the fear of taking on responsibilities in life and become independent.
To all this is added the worry of making accidents, of making a mistake while driving or losing control of the vehicle, perhaps due to criticisms that were made while learning. In fact, there is nothing worse than a teacher or relative who constantly criticizes the new driver and makes him feel insecure about himself and his abilities.
How to overcome the fear of driving
We have pointed out that the causes behind the fear of driving are many and, for this reason, we cannot indicate a single way to face and overcome amaxophobia. However, if you suffer from it, we recommend that you follow these simple suggestions that can be helpful in regaining confidence in the car or other means of transport that you have long since stopped driving. If you still do not feel safe, do not take the risk: discuss the topic with a psychologist or psychotherapist. He will be able to support you in overcoming this phobia calmly and trying to find out what it came from.
1. Use relaxation techniques
Even in the case of other fears, relaxation techniques can help to better deal with anxiety. There are various types: ranging from meditation to yoga to mindfulness. All these disciplines combine physical exercise with breathing control and prove to be perfect for managing anxiety and stress. In fact, if done correctly, they help to counteract negative thoughts and bring positive energy. While driving, be optimistic and not constantly think that you could cause or be involved in an accident.
If you are able to remove the negativity thanks to the relaxation techniques, you will notice how pleasant it is to be behind the wheel: a truly unique feeling of freedom and independence.
2. Choose a companion (but only for the first few times!)
If you haven't driven for a long time, you can either redo some lessons with the driving school teacher or ask for help from a relative or friend. The important thing is that this is only a phase: you will not always be able to drive in the company of someone, otherwise you will never do it independently. step into the back seat. All of this will allow you to gain more confidence in your abilities.
3. Start driving again little by little
When you get back to driving, choose a simple route. Start with laps around the block of your house. Then, extend them a few miles, driving in the areas you know best, so that you don't have any further anxiety about checking the road. Only when you are more comfortable, switch to the expressways , such as ring roads and motorways, or those with more traffic. Always do everything gradually, without exaggerating and controlling your level of anxiety.
4. Create a "serene atmosphere in the car."
It may seem strange, but the atmosphere in the car goes a long way. If you keep your vehicle clean and tidy, you will want to get in and start it more. For this reason, experts recommend that you "take care" of your car. , so as to create an environment of comfort not only at home, but also in our personal environment.
Of course, you can find this feeling of calm and serenity however you like. You could start by putting on a car diffuser of your favorite fragrance and choosing playlists or CDs with the songs you like best. All of this will help you relax and feel comfortable.
5. Get help from an expert
As with all other phobias, when you reach high levels, with perhaps episodes of panic attacks, and when you can no longer manage the side effects, then the best choice is to consult a professional. The same goes for the fear of driving.
In the event that it is due to a trauma and the consequent post-traumatic stress disorder, it is advisable to follow a path of psychotherapy with the aim of modifying the negative thoughts due to the traumatic event and regain confidence in yourself and in your abilities. .
If, on the other hand, your amaxophobia is dictated by anxiety not of a traumatic nature, then you can resort to a cognitive-behavioral therapy always followed by a psychologist or a psychotherapist. Through relaxation techniques and a work of desensitization of fear, it is possible to recreate the scenarios of the guide and even be accompanied by the specialist for the first test laps.
