Just as there are people who find driving plunges them into a deep state of peace and tranquility, for others, getting behind the wheel represents a real nightmare. Increased blood pressure, tremors, a feeling of dizziness, and catastrophic thoughts are the typical symptoms of a person suffering from amaxophobia. That is, fear of driving.
It is believed that between 22% and 33% of the Spanish population could suffer from amaxophobia, according to data obtained from two studies, from 2005 and 2012, carried out by the Mapfre Foundation. Figures supported by the study by the European Automotive Commissioner Foundation (CEA), which states that more than 28% of drivers in Spain suffer from driving phobia. But can it be overcome? The answer is yes.
Amaxophobia is an anxiety disorder based on an intense and irrational fear of driving. People who suffer from it anticipate a whole series of catastrophic situations that generate uncontrollable discomfort. This could even prevent them from driving altogether due to a feeling of being blocked. In some cases, this terror could only occur when driving alone or, conversely, even when traveling in the passenger seat, according to psychologist Rodrigo Álvarez.
The reasons why amaxophobia occurs are varied, it can be the result of a lifestyle marked by stress, the fact of having suffered a traumatic event driving or simply because you do not have much driving practice or experience. People with amaxophobia create scenarios in their minds with terrible results, for example, having an accident, running over a pedestrian, finding themselves immobilized in a traffic jam in a tunnel or bridge, among others. Driving on highways or highways is usually one of the circumstances that generate the most anxiety.
The psychologist Rodrigo Álvarez recommends stopping the vehicle as soon as possible and safely if you suffer an anxiety attack while driving. In these cases, it is recommended to perform breathing techniques to regain control or call emergencies if necessary. What you never have to do is continue driving in that state. And, later, go to a professional to treat this disorder.
The first thing will be to identify the origin of amaxophobia and then treat it with one of the different therapies that can be used for it. One of the most popular is called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which seeks to desensitize and reprocess the information that the brain receives through bilateral stimulation through eye movements.
Other options are based on taking a driving improvement course, which helps to gain confidence and overcome that anxiety. As well as other successive approach treatments, with which the fear of driving can be progressively lost. Even virtual reality can become a tool used by psychologists to end amaxophobia.
