DRIVING PHOBIA
Vehophobia, amaxophobia or driving fear and anxiety
"Just wanted to let you know that my driving experience is as it used to be and I feel confident again. I have had the past week off and been able to drive the kids to different places. I can’t thank you enough. It has been an invaluable program and really helped me."
Jo S
If you have a serious and debilitating fear of driving that's interfering with your life and you are serious about getting help then you're in the right place.
Because the fear of driving (or driving phobia) is the second most common thing we treat in our clinics. So although it might feel like you are alone, or that you have it worse than anyone else, you are not alone and this really can be changed. And we have a unique program to help you that is like no other treatment.
If you have a debilitating fear of driving or are experiencing high levels of driving anxiety that's interfering with your life and you are serious about getting help then you're in the right place.
Because fear and anxiety around driving is the second most common thing we help people overcome in our clinics. So although it might feel like you are alone, or that you have it worse than anyone else, you are not alone and this really can be changed. And we have a unique program to help you that is like no other driving anxiety treatment.
What is driving phobia?
Fear of Driving (or driving phobia) is an excessive and irrational fear of driving, of being or feeling out of control whilst driving, causing dread, panic and avoidance. The sufferer recognizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable but feels powerless to change their responses.
The sufferer either compulsively avoids driving (or avoids particular roads or driving situations) or endures it with intense distress and discomfort. This interferes significantly with normal daily routines (work, social activities, and relationships).
Fear of driving is distinguished by the intense, often debilitating, fear it generates. At its worst it will end in a panic attack. So it’s way beyond driving nerves. This is hardcore white-knuckle fear.
The physical symptoms of driving phobia
Physical symptoms will come on when starting a journey or en route when exposed to a particular driving situation (typically a certain kind of road). The symptoms usually stop once the driver is out of the situation, off the road or out of the car.
For some drivers these symptoms may start at a lower level some time before actually driving and persist for some time afterwards.
Typical symptoms of driving anxiety and phobia will include some of the following:
- Tightness in the chest
- Sweating (especially the palms) and shaking
- Physical tension (especially in the arms and hands)
- Light headiness or dizziness
- Shortness of breath or over-breathing
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
The psychological symptoms of driving phobia
Before driving there may be a build-up of dread and anxiety for hours or even days before a “big journey”, leading to sleeping problems and loss of appetite. When actually driving, psychological symptoms may include feeling that you:
- Are trapped on the road
- Might lose control
- Might do something stupid
- Might swerve
- Might tip the car over
- Are being pulled or drawn to the left or right
- Are detached from the experience as if someone else is driving
- Have to focus and concentrate intensely
- Can’t tolerate distractions (engage in conversation, listen to the radio)
How people respond
When these physical and psychological symptoms come on, most drivers will do some of the following when actually driving:
- Slow right down (sometimes to a dangerously slow speed). This can often seem involuntary.
- Pull over, stop the car and try and calm down before driving on
- Have someone else take over the driving en route
- Drive on with great discomfort.
- Try and reduce their discomfort by forcing themselves to think of other things. Strategies including reciting the alphabet backwards, counting backwards or singing at the top of their voice.
Many people, of course, will respond by not even going there. They will simply avoid driving on particular roads or avoid driving completely.
Who driving phobia affects
Driving phobia can affect anyone.
Most people with a driving phobia are normal, intelligent, well-balanced people who once drove happily but are now anxious and panicky when driving or else don’t drive at all. Over the years we have treated all kinds of drivers, some with exceptional skills and experience, including police drivers and a rally driver. We have treated doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists.
So it can happen to anyone and it’s never a skills thing. In fact most people with driving phobias are good, competent drivers.
What causes driving phobia?
Driving phobia is very rarely caused by a traumatic or unsettling event (such as an accident) but is usually caused by something milder (like suddenly feeling a little strange when driving at speed on a multi-lane highway) which normally would be okay but at the time the individual was perhaps a lot more stressed that normal (background stress levels raised by other things like tiredness or by financial, work or relationship problems) and this tipped them into a mild panic attack. This builds into a phobia. You can read more about exactly how this happens here: Making sense of driving phobia.
So driving phobia is linked to different things for different people – to driving on wide open roads like major highways (most common), to dual carriageways, small roads, hills, high roads, bridges, flyovers, particular routes, junctions, to manoeuvres (especially overtaking), to being boxed in by heavy traffic, to being close to particular vehicles (usually large or high-sided ones), being tailgated or to being limited to a particular speed. It often starts on big highways and spreads to smaller roads, restricting the routes, speed and distances that can be travelled.
Safety & avoidance behaviours
Safety and avoidance strategies are used by the sufferer to reduce the perceived danger and to control, conceal and accommodate their panic and embarrassment.
As more and more routes or situations are avoided, the sufferer’s world starts to close in. Energy and time are used in planning and driving alternative routes. They may have to drive at times when the roads are clear. Partners and friends may have to drive instead or take over en route. Excuses are made to avoid giving people lifts or traveling with friends and colleagues. Jobs, promotions and social invitations may be turned down. People and situations may be managed and manipulated.
Eventually these “solutions” become part of the problem. When this happens most sufferers think “enough is enough” and do something about it. And get help.
What to do next
If you are reading this and
think this is what you have been looking for
then take the next step and
call us now
for a free consultation with a specialist about how your driving anxiety has been affecting you and how we can help you.
Or take a few minutes to look at what’s in the Driving Phobia Cure Program, why you should choose us and what it costs. Then get in touch.
If you are reading this page and this sounds like you and you think this is what you have been looking for then take the next step and
call us now for a free consultation with a specialist about how your fear has been affecting you and how we can help you.
Or take a few minutes to look at what’s in the program, why you should choose us and what it costs. Then call us to book your place.
If you have read this page and this sounds like you and you are serious about getting help then call us now on 0800 302 9452 to take part in the program.
In the media
See what they have written about us:
Online sessions
Face-to-face sessions are now available over Skype. Close the door and logon to fast effective therapy today. Wherever you are.
Visiting us
Sessions run mornings, afternoons and evenings on weekdays and weekends. Our main clinic is in Harley Street, London, UK
Find us
Map & directions pdf
Google maps
DRIVING PHOBIA
Vehophobia, amaxophobia
or driving anxiety
DRIVING PHOBIA
Vehophobia, amaxophobia or driving anxiety
"My driving experience is as it used to be and I feel confident again. I have been able to drive the kids to different places. I can’t thank you enough. It has been an invaluable program and really helped me."
Jo S
Two online sessions
If you have a debilitating fear of driving or are experiencing high levels of driving anxiety that's interfering with your life and you are serious about getting help then you're in the right place.
Because fear and anxiety around driving is the second most common thing we help people overcome in our clinics. So although it might feel like you are alone, or that you have it worse than anyone else, you are not alone and this really can be changed. And we have a unique program to help you that is like no other driving anxiety treatment.
If you have a debilitating fear of driving or are experiencing high levels of driving anxiety that's interfering with your life and you are serious about getting help then you're in the right place.
Because fear and anxiety around driving is the second most common thing we help people overcome in our clinics. So although it might feel like you are alone, or that you have it worse than anyone else, you are not alone and this really can be changed. And we have a unique program to help you that is like no other driving anxiety treatment.
What is driving phobia?
Fear of Driving (or driving phobia) is an excessive and irrational fear of driving, of being or feeling out of control whilst driving, causing dread, panic and avoidance. The sufferer recognizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable but feels powerless to change their responses.
The sufferer either compulsively avoids driving (or avoids particular roads or driving situations) or endures it with intense distress and discomfort. This interferes significantly with normal daily routines (work, social activities, and relationships).
Fear of driving is distinguished by the intense, often debilitating, fear it generates. At its worst it will end in a panic attack. So it’s way beyond driving nerves. This is hardcore white-knuckle fear.
The physical symptoms of driving phobia
Physical symptoms will come on when starting a journey or en route when exposed to a particular driving situation (typically a certain kind of road). The symptoms usually stop once the driver is out of the situation, off the road or out of the car.
For some drivers these symptoms may start at a lower level sometime before actually driving and persist for some time afterwards.
Typical symptoms of driving anxiety and phobia will include some of the following:
- Tightness in the chest
- Sweating (especially the palms) and shaking
- Physical tension (especially in the arms and hands)
- Light headiness or dizziness
- Shortness of breath or over-breathing
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
The psychological symptoms of driving phobia
Before driving there may be a build-up of dread and anxiety for hours or even days before a “big journey”, leading to sleeping problems and loss of appetite. When actually driving, psychological symptoms may include feeling that you:
- Are trapped on the road
- Might lose control
- Might do something stupid
- Might swerve
- Might tip the car over
- Are being pulled or drawn to the left or right
- Are detached from the experience as if someone else is driving
- Have to focus and concentrate intensely
- Can’t tolerate distractions (engage in conversation, listen to the radio)
How people respond
When these physical and psychological symptoms come on, most drivers will do some of the following when actually driving:
- Slow right down (sometimes to a dangerously slow speed). This can often seem involuntary.
- Pull over, stop the car and try and calm down before driving
- Have someone else take over the driving en route
- Drive on with great discomfort.
- Try and reduce their discomfort by forcing themselves to think of other things. Strategies including reciting the alphabet backwards, counting backwards or singing at the top of their voice.
Many people, of course, will respond by not even going there. They will simply avoid driving on particular roads or avoid driving completely.
Who driving phobia affects
Driving phobia can affect anyone.
Most people with a driving phobia are normal, intelligent, well-balanced people who once drove happily but are now anxious and panicky when driving or else don’t drive at all. Over the years we have treated all kinds of drivers, some with exceptional skills and experience, including police drivers, taxi drivers, a driving instructor and a rally driver. We have treated doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists.
So it can happen to anyone and it’s never a skills thing. In fact most people with driving phobias are good, competent drivers.
What causes driving phobia?
Driving phobia is very rarely caused by a traumatic or unsettling event (such as an accident) but is usually caused by something milder (like suddenly feeling a little strange when driving at speed on a multi-lane highway) which normally would be okay but at the time the individual was perhaps a lot more stressed that normal (background stress levels raised by other things like tiredness or by financial, work or relationship problems) and this tipped them into a mild panic attack. This builds into a phobia. You can read more about exactly how this happens here: Making sense of driving phobia.
So driving phobia and anxiety is linked to different things for different people – to driving on wide open roads like major highways (most common), to dual carriageways, small roads, hills, high roads, bridges, flyovers, particular routes, junctions, to manoeuvres (especially overtaking), to being boxed-in by heavy traffic, to being close to particular vehicles (usually large or high-sided ones), being tailgated or to being limited to a particular speed. It often starts on big highways and spreads to smaller roads, restricting the routes, speed and distances that can be travelled.
Safety & avoidance behaviours
Safety and avoidance strategies are used by the sufferer to reduce the perceived danger and to control, conceal and accommodate their panic and embarrassment.
As more and more routes or situations are avoided, the sufferer’s world starts to close in. Energy and time are used in planning and driving alternative routes. They may have to drive at times when the roads are clear. Partners and friends may have to drive instead or take over en route. Excuses are made to avoid giving people lifts or traveling with friends and colleagues. Jobs, promotions and social invitations may be turned down. People and situations may be managed and manipulated.
Eventually these “solutions” become part of the problem. When this happens most sufferers think “enough is enough” and do something about it. And get help.
What to do next
If you are reading this and
think this is what you have been looking for
then take the next step and
call us now
for a free consultation with a specialist about how your driving anxiety has been affecting you and how we can help you.
Or take a few minutes to look at what’s in the
Driving Phobia Cure Program , why you should choose us and what it costs. Then
get in touch .
If you are reading this page and this sounds like you
and you think this is what you have been looking for
then take the next step and
call us now
for a free consultation with a specialist about how your driving anxiety has been affecting you and how we can help you.
Or take a few minutes to look at what’s in the Driving Phobia Cure Program, why you should choose us and what it costs. Then call us to book your place.
If you have read this page and this sounds like you and you are serious about getting help then call us now to take part in the program:
In the media
See what they have written about us:
Online sessions
We primarily deliver our program face-to-face over Zoom video calls. It's exactly the same as our in-clinic program and equally effective.
Visiting us
Sessions run mornings, afternoons and evenings on weekdays and weekends. Our main clinic is in Harley Street, London, UK
Find us
1 Harley Street
Map & directions pdf
More about driving phobia +
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