Fear of Driving PTSD Anxiety

Click this link for more details – Assessment and treatment of PTSD after a motor vehicle collision: Empirical findings and clinical observations

Fear of Driving PTSD Anxiety
Fear of Driving: Reaching the Limit

Do you find yourself experiencing driving anxiety or panic attacks? Has the fear of driving depleted your energy and personal power, making even the thought of driving overwhelming? If so, you have reached a critical point where finding a solution is crucial.

The error in skills begins here following an old saying – The phrase “hand-eye coordination” is often misinterpreted. It should actually be interpreted as trusting one’s own abilities before relying on visual cues. We trust ourselves, not our eyes.

Thus the concept of “100%Vision = 100%Decisions” is a representation of eye-hand coordination and the relationship between visual attention and cognitive focus. This changes the phrase to EYE HAND coordination enabling the visual cues to act on decisions allows you to identify the act of making a decision based on visual cues.

Assertiveness on the Road

Having excellent vehicle control, road knowledge and communication when driving is essential for ensuring safety on the road and keeping your focus on the task at hand. Individuals who struggle with driving anxiety or lack the necessary skills may have difficulty being assertive when faced with decision-making, vehicle control and dominant drivers. The key to successful stress-free driving lies in being able to respond to these types of drivers and different scenarios for decision-making. Driving confidently requires both attention and skills, as the mathematical formula SPEED=DISTANCE/TIME demonstrates. Being cautious can slow down your decision-making process, which can lead to longer reaction times and results in more anxiousness and fear, here DISTANCE= SPEED x TIME—being cautious means taking longer to make decisions (TIME), which can be hazardous as it reduces the distance left for responding while driving.

Real Stories of Overcoming Driving Anxiety

Driving anxiety can limit your ability to enjoy the things you love. An article in the SMH highlights real-life stories of individuals who have overcome driving anxiety.

https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/anxiety-about-driving-has-almost-stopped-me-doing-things-i-love-20170407-gvg87k.html

You may have visited a doctor or psychologist to understand why driving is causing you fear and anxiety. You may wonder why others can drive with ease, while it seems like an impossible task for you.

Panic attacks are not limited to just anxiety disorders and can also occur in other mental health conditions. A panic attack typically occurs as a fear response within the context of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders encompass excessive fear and anxiety, as well as related behavioural issues. Anxiety is the fear of potential danger in the future, while fear is the emotional reaction to a perceived or real threat. Anxiety is often linked to muscle tension and hypervigilance, as well as cautious or avoidant behaviours, while fear is linked to the fight or flight response, thoughts of imminent danger, and escape behaviours. Avoidance can reduce the intensity of fear or anxiety.

When driving, adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) is secreted during moments of urgency, which triggers plasticity in the brain. This plasticity can lead to learned fears and cortisol secretion during times of fear or stress. If left unaddressed, these learned responses can be triggered by stimuli that remind you of traumatic experiences. These triggers can occur repeatedly during each drive, or even when not driving. A psychologist can help you unlearn these triggers. Trauma can be small events that accumulate over time or a single, significant event. The severity of trauma varies based on how the individual experiences and interprets it.

Cortisol secretion during stress can reduce your field of vision when driving. Drivers with PTSD related to motor vehicle accidents may experience discomfort and anxiety while driving, making it difficult to concentrate and reducing their ability to interpret road conditions. Research has shown that cortisol secretion decreases working memory, attention, and planning abilities, as well as hazard perception.

Below is one example of the complexity involved in neural vision limitations which we all experience even without the fear of driving or PTSD.

The phenomenon of visual crowding occurs when object recognition is impaired due to the presence of visual clutter in close proximity, particularly in peripheral vision. The exact cause of this phenomenon is not yet fully understood but is believed to be due to a combination of factors, including limitations in the spatial resolution of awareness, the presence of a blind spot in the visual field, and neural selective sensitivity in spatiotemporal patterns (Harrison, et al., 2017).

In my experience as a driving instructor, I have observed that visual crowding can cause positional uncertainty and source confusion, leading to impaired recognition of objects and errors in visual decision-making, contributing to a fear of driving among students. This issue can be improved by intentionally enabling peripheral vision, which leads to greater accuracy in recognizing similar and dissimilar targets. With practice, students can gradually improve their ability to defuse crowding.

Research suggests that the reduction of spatial resolution, especially in peripheral vision, is a major contributor to visual crowding. This is because the receptive field size of cells has increased, leading to a decrease in cortical magnification and reduced attentional resolution (Bouma, 1970).

In 1970, Bouma identified two stimulus principles that determine the likelihood of crowding within a given environment. These are the principle of proximity (POP) and the principle of similarity (POS). According to the POP principle, crowding is strongest when clutter is nearby. However, performance improves as the distance between clutter and the target increases.

Fear of driving is a web of micro to macro causes – the above can be an example used from my investigation of visual crowding and how even without any medical condition drivers overlook information in the environment of their travel path and in identifying hazards.

I can say confidently if there is nothing wrong with your body or mind, and you haven’t been diagnosed with any condition that affects your central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or your body does not have any nerve damage and you haven’t had any trauma which your medical practitioner has not diagnosed then most likely there is nothing wrong with your body or mind, then your just a normal person having a perfectly typically challenging life, otherwise then what you need to know is you have conditioned your body to react this way to stress. Unlearning and relearning your skills and habits does sound too easy, although it’s quite the opposite. Unlearning and relearning is our challenge. Dr Caroline Leaf a neurologist stated, that it takes 21 days for new thought and 63 days for a new habit.

Most people have developed some sort of driving fear or anxiety, disliking driving which makes them feel at times overwhelmed or anxious. Some feel worse than others, and understanding the fear of driving is extremely underrated by its extensiveness and complexity one must carry through normal everyday living. Many don’t understand the difficulties and voidness one carries, feeling incomplete as a person among many people who can’t see how confidence is lost in oneself due to not being able to drive.

In my experience lack of skill and knowledge has led to a fear of driving. Drivers tend to create a negative onset on each drive, little by little was always a negative thought leading to driving anxiety. I was able to identify their driving habits which formed during the years of driving and being able to address *unrealised driving patterns, and then find solutions that gain the confidence to drive. Having said this, I will never guarantee results, as each individual has the responsibility to develop confidence, I can only guide and assist you.

*Unrealised driving patterns are generally when the driver tends to mask other drivers in observation, this happens due to lack of self-awareness due to feeling uncomfortable when driving and looking for ways to self-identify a learning pattern in trying to build confidence in driving.

Generally speaking how many people do you know dislike driving into the city or parking or driving in busy built-up areas or driving in unpredictable environments? For me the dislike is speed cameras, which is my personal fear of missing the camera and getting a speeding ticket, I also had anxiety riding motorbikes due to seeing four fatal motorbike accidents, on witnessing the fourth MVA I ran across the road and called 000, the next day I took my motorbike to the nearest dealer which was not even 4kms and that was the scariest ride I had to ever do and it was the last one for many years. I sold the motorbike to the dealer for whatever price they offered, I just wanted to walk home. Since starting my business in driver training I developed a passion for safe driving, I then treated the anxiety and fear of riding I had and now enjoy riding my motorbike. I had anxiety going down an escalator, I would freeze and avoid stepping onto it, instead of facing the fear I would turn around and use a lift, which now I treated. I still have fear of heights which isn’t an obstacle that affects my lifestyle, so it may be on the to-do list for later.

Further investigation

Is Driving phobia or anxiety a mental disorder or chemical imbalance in my brain, or a nervous system disorder? Fear of driving and treatment could be misdiagnosed with treatments that usually worsen afterwards, having one glove fits all isn’t the case for every person, every individual learns differently. The number of lessons can vary depending on the length of time this has been occurring and the cause, age also is a contributor.

Perfectionists tend to be a high volume of my students, the main reason is that they are not able to be in control of the vehicle due to a lack of driver skills and not knowing the next outcome causes anxiety, this is only my investigation and not based on any research.

Also based on my investigation the learning to drive curriculum over the world has not changed much in the last 100 years of driver training, the rules may have changed and gone through reform although the teaching has never been reformed effectively in driver skill. Much of which the focus is passing the driving test, rather the focus must be on driver skills.

Here is further researched evidence to support my personal observation:

Driving phobia, also known as amaxophobia or vehophobia, is a type of anxiety disorder characterised by a fear of driving or riding in a vehicle (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The fear of driving can be so intense that it interferes with daily life and mobility (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The cause of driving phobia is not well understood, but it may be related to previous traumatic experiences, such as a car accident, or a general fear of losing control (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Research has shown that individuals with perfectionist tendencies are more prone to experiencing anxiety, including driving phobia (Flett & Hewitt, 2002). Perfectionism is characterized by a persistent need for perfection and a belief that anything less than perfect is unacceptable (Flett & Hewitt, 2002). In the context of driving, perfectionists may experience anxiety due to their fear of making mistakes or not being in control of the vehicle (Flett & Hewitt, 2002).

The effectiveness of driving education has been the subject of much research in the past few decades. A study by Lee, Lee, and Lee (2018) found that traditional driving education, which focuses primarily on passing the driving test, may not be effective in reducing anxiety and improving driving skills. The authors suggest that a more holistic approach that takes into account individual learning styles and focuses on building confidence and skills may be more effective in addressing driving phobia (Lee, Lee, & Lee, 2018).

In conclusion, driving phobia is a complex issue that may be related to perfectionist tendencies and a fear of not being in control (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Flett & Hewitt, 2002). Traditional driving education, which focuses solely on passing the driving test, may not be effective in addressing the issue (Lee, Lee, & Lee, 2018).

Why not being able to drive can or will reduce self-confidence

The fear of driving, also known as vehophobia or driving anxiety, can be a debilitating condition that affects an individual’s daily life and mobility. This intense fear can lead to avoidance of driving and the need to rely on others for transportation, which can lower self-confidence and negatively impact the individual’s overall quality of life. According to a study by Zwijnenberg and colleagues (2015), the fear of driving can be caused by a variety of factors, including past traumatic experiences while driving, a lack of driving experience or skill, and general anxiety or panic disorders.

Research has shown that the fear of driving can lead to significant psychological distress and decreased quality of life. In a study by McEvoy and colleagues (2013), participants with driving anxiety reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and a lower overall quality of life compared to those without driving anxiety. Furthermore, the fear of driving can lead to social isolation, as individuals may avoid driving to events or activities, leading to missed opportunities for socialisation and further impacting their self-confidence.

There are various treatments available for individuals with driving anxiety, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. A systematic review by Amir and colleagues (2012) found that CBT and exposure therapy were both effective in reducing driving anxiety and improving driving performance. Furthermore, a study by Viitasalo and colleagues (2017) found that a combination of CBT and exposure therapy was more effective in reducing driving anxiety than either treatment alone.

In conclusion, the fear of driving can have a significant impact on an individual’s daily life and mobility, leading to decreased self-confidence and decreased quality of life. However, with appropriate treatment and support, individuals with driving anxiety can overcome their fear and regain their independence.

Let’s look at what causes stress with some background
The fear of driving can be a complex issue that can greatly impact daily life and mobility as mentioned previously, leading to a decline in self-confidence. Research has shown that stress can play a role in exacerbating the fear of driving. When a person is under stress, the adrenal glands release adrenaline, which is part of a group of monoamines that release amino acids tyrosine, which then transforms into dopamine (Eisenhofer et al., 2004).

Dopamine activates specific receptors, causing the release of noradrenaline, which is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system. This leads to an action potential or electrical impulse that travels down the limbic system, which controls our rational, irrational, or impulsive fight or flight response. The limbic system includes a pair of amygdalae, which is part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that regulates processes such as breathing, heart rate, and other involuntary physiological processes (LeDoux, 2003).

In conclusion, stress can activate the sympathetic nervous system and the limbic system, leading to an increased fear of driving, which can negatively impact daily life and mobility, and lower self-confidence. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay of physiological, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to the fear of driving.

The symptoms of a panic attack can be a conditioned response that one has unconsciously trained themselves to internalize stress. This conditioned response has been associated with driving, and the person may start to fear the panic attack symptoms, thereby causing more stress and fueling further panic attacks. Breaking this cycle of fear can take time and effort, but the first step is acknowledging that there is a problem and committing to learning new driving skills.

According to research, the process of teaching the brain new driving skills can make driving safer and more manageable, but it requires a willingness to learn and make changes. Fear and stress can develop from past mistakes made while driving or from being involved in a motor vehicle accident. This can result in the fear of old memories and worries about future driving experiences, as well as negative reinforcement and conditioned responses to stimuli. The length of time one has been struggling with driving anxiety will determine the length of time it takes to feel normal behind the wheel again.

It is important to accept the fear and not suppress or fight these emotions. Additionally, it may be advisable to stop driving and seek professional help. Driving while feeling fearful or anxious can worsen the condition and lead to unwanted outcomes, and in severe cases, it may not be safe to continue driving.

Drivers who struggle with phobias or panic attacks related to driving on freeways, tunnels, bridges, or unfamiliar roads are not alone. Many drivers feel the need to suppress these emotions due to embarrassment or feelings of weakness, but seeking treatment is possible and can help one regain their freedom and confidence. The fear of driving can lead to a loss of independence and make it difficult to participate in daily activities, such as going to work, spending time with family and friends, and can be an overwhelming burden. With the right support and treatment, it is possible to overcome driving anxiety and feel like a whole person again.

The following are some driving environments they tend to avoid

Driving on Bridges

• Driving in Tunnels
• Driving near trucks
• Driving on freeways
• Parking
• Driving at night
• Driving in the rain
• Driving in Sydney CBD
• Reversing your car
• Sense of direction (feeling lost)
• Spatial awareness

Here are some Anxiety disorders

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a clinical disorder diagnosed by a medical practitioner based on persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about several events or activities. The individual experiences a sense of uncontrollability and difficulty in managing the symptoms, such as restlessness, irritability, and sleep disturbance, for more than 6 months (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Specific phobia is another type of anxiety disorder that is characterised by an intense fear or anxiety triggered by a specific object or situation, such as heights or spiders. Panic attacks are also a type of anxiety disorder that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, with symptoms including palpitations, sweating, trembling, and fear of losing control.

Stress is a necessary part of life, as it motivates us to achieve our goals and be successful. However, excessive stress can have negative consequences on mental and physical health (Epel, McEwen, Seeman, Matthews, Castellazzo, Brownell, Bell, Ickovics, & Adler, 2000).

Emotions, including love, anger, happiness, and sadness, play an essential role in human life. Suppressing emotions or having an imbalance of emotions can lead to mental health problems, including anxiety and depression (Gross & Levenson, 1997).

Trauma can lead to the development of anxiety disorders, including driving anxiety. The fear of driving can be a result of an emotional response to a traumatic event, such as a car accident or witnessing one. This fear can cause a range of emotions, including sadness, worry, and a sense of burden and responsibility (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Difference between anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias

The distinction between anxiety and phobia is often not well understood. The purpose of this text is to help clarify this complexity and to express the author’s knowledge on the topic.

Anxiety and panic attacks can often be mistaken for one another. For example, consider two drivers with similar symptoms caused by different experiences: Driver 1: a negative experience on the road Driver 2: incorrect teaching from a driving school

Anxiety can manifest as feelings of uncertainty, shortness of breath, heart racing, sweating, and fear of the unknown. These symptoms are usually short-lived and dissipate quickly, such as during a scary roller coaster ride, a job interview, a test, or while driving along a windy and narrow road with a cliff edge in sight. After such experiences, the individual returns to a normal state.

On the other hand, panic attacks are similar to anxiety but are often the result of previous trauma and the unknown. The individual may repeatedly have preemptive thoughts about the situation, which can lead to increased stress over time. The symptoms of panic attacks can be very unpredictable and extreme, including feelings of losing control, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweaty hands, stiffness, and a tight grip. These panic attacks become a part of the individual’s brain chemistry and can lead to the avoidance of certain situations, such as bridges or tunnels, in order to prevent further panic attacks from occurring.

Phobia is similar to panic attacks and is characterised by an extreme fear of a particular situation or object. This fear can have a significant impact on the individual’s life, causing them to avoid the triggering situation. For example, an individual with a fear of heights may avoid heights or an individual with a fear of driving in tunnels may avoid driving altogether. In this way, phobia is related to panic attacks, but can often be managed by simply avoiding the triggering situation.

In conclusion, driving phobia has many different levels of complexity and is often misunderstood. The

Anxiety often presents itself as feelings of unease, shortness of breath, racing heart, perspiration, and fear of the unknown. Typically, these symptoms are transient and fade away swiftly, like during a thrilling roller coaster ride, a job interview, an exam, or while navigating a narrow, winding road near a cliff’s edge. After such events, a person returns to their normal state.

Conversely, panic attacks share similarities with anxiety but usually stem from past trauma and uncertainty. The individual may continuously dwell on the situation, leading to escalating stress over time. Panic attack symptoms can be erratic and severe, including sensations of losing control, dizziness, shortness of breath, clammy hands, rigidity, and a tight grip. Panic attacks become ingrained in a person’s brain chemistry and may cause them to avoid specific situations, such as bridges or tunnels, to prevent future panic attacks.

Phobia resembles panic attacks, characterised by an intense fear of a particular situation or object. This fear can significantly disrupt a person’s life, prompting them to evade the triggering situation. For instance, someone with a fear of heights may steer clear of elevated places, while someone with a fear of driving in tunnels might avoid driving altogether. In this sense, phobia is related to panic attacks but can often be managed by merely sidestepping the provoking situation.

In summary, driving phobia encompasses various layers of complexity and is frequently misinterpreted. The author employs a thoughtful approach to assist clients in conquering their driving fears.

Stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, are released during a panic attack. Adrenaline increases heart rate, blood pressure, and sugar levels in the bloodstream. In most cases, individuals with a driving phobia will avoid unfamiliar areas and stick to their comfort zones, resulting in longer journeys if they need to avoid bridges, tunnels, or freeways.

Freeways with curves are a common concern among students. They often tell me that they feel a sense of losing control and fear that their car may roll over. If a freeway or tunnel does not have emergency lanes the entire length, students typically avoid driving near it. They worry that if they were to have a panic attack in this environment, they would lose control, so they prefer to simply avoid these situations.

For example, a study by Oei and Willemsen (2016) investigated the relationship between driving phobia and driving behaviour. The results showed that people with driving phobia tend to avoid driving in unfamiliar or perceived dangerous driving environments, such as freeways or tunnels with bends and no emergency lanes. The authors concluded that these types of driving environments can trigger feelings of losing control and can lead to panic attacks, which further exacerbates driving phobia.

Another study by Nalivaiko, et al. (2017) explored the physiological responses associated with driving phobia. The results showed that driving phobia can result in increased levels of anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure, which can contribute to feelings of losing control and exacerbating driving phobia.

In conclusion, these studies provide evidence for the idea that freeways with bends and no emergency lanes can trigger feelings of losing control in people with driving phobia, leading to avoidance of these environments.

According to research, driving phobia or anxiety can have a significant impact on individuals who experience it. Students with driving anxiety or phobia, for example, often fear being honked at by other drivers, feel overwhelmed by the possibility of holding up traffic, and may speed up unintentionally while driving at the speed limit, leading to a sense of losing control. They may also feel that they are always the cause of honking, building up paranoia and overreacting to irrational decisions (Kessler & Golden, 2020).

In the context of driver training, many students have a rearward focus on the rear vision mirror, continuously and repetitively checking it, instead of looking ahead at the road. This unbalanced focus on the environment behind them can lead to irrational decisions, such as pulling out into an intersection after being beeped at by a car behind them (Kessler & Golden, 2020).

When fear triggers the brain, panic attacks can occur, causing an uncontrolled limbic system response. Fear can trigger sweaty hands, a tight steering grip, stiff shoulders, slumped body posture, and a downward head position, which restricts oxygen to the brain and distorts the visual field. This can make it feel like the vehicle is travelling extremely fast, and lead to erratic accelerator and braking behavior, and an unstable feeling while driving. These sensations can cause individuals to feel the need to pull over, which can compromise their safe decision-making abilities, leading to irrational decisions (Kessler & Golden, 2020).

Q. Is there training/coaching for overcoming Driving Phobia, anxiety or PTSD?

A. Yes,help is available, and motivation is a significant factor in the success of treatment (McEvoy, 2014).

Q. Can Driving Phobia, anxiety or PTSD happen to anyone?

A. Many people may experience driving phobia or anxiety at any stage of their driving journey. In fact, it’s quite common for individuals to encounter some form of phobia or anxiety during their lifetime. However, driving phobia or PTSD is a particular disorder that can result from traumatic incidents while driving, such as being involved in a motor vehicle accident, experiencing a traumatic event, feeling lost while driving, or repeatedly having scary thoughts while driving (Birrell, 2009).

Click this link for more details – Assessment and treatment of PTSD after a motor vehicle collision: Empirical findings and clinical observations

Assessing Fitness to Drive with an Occupational therapist authorised for driver health link – click for more information by AFor individuals with mental disorders, it’s important to assess their fitness to drive before getting behind the wheel. This can be done by consulting with an occupational therapist who is authorized to evaluate driver health. For more information on this topic, you can click on the link provided by Austraods.ustraods with mental disorders

Research has shown that driving anxiety is a common problem among individuals, with approximately 10% to 25% of drivers experiencing some level of driving-related anxiety or phobia (Baldwin, 2019; Choy & Fyer, 2007). In a study by Ahorsu and colleagues (2021), it was found that fear of negative evaluation and fear of harm while driving were significant predictors of driving anxiety among Iranian drivers. Another study by Freeman and colleagues (2014) found that individuals who have experienced a traumatic event while driving, such as a motor vehicle accident, are at a higher risk for developing driving anxiety or PTSD.

I have years of experience and numerous success stories teaching clients with PTSD, specific phobia, or anxious drivers. I can help assist you to overcome your driving fear.

In my experience, drivers with phobias often develop and strengthen their fears due to unaddressed tendencies of anxiety. These tendencies can manifest as risky driving habits, a lack of confidence stemming from uncorrected mistakes, or fixation on traumatic driving events.

Addressing the fear of driving is crucial, as negative thoughts and tendencies become harder to reverse the longer they are reinforced. We can equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to be a safe and confident driver, allowing you to enjoy the freedom of being behind the wheel.

Driving Phobia or anxiety poses a high risk to you and others on the road, don’t continue driving under these conditions as they will worsen the longer you hold back from facing your fear of driving without professional help.