Driving Anxiety Therapy

Do you have a fear of driving? When you get onto many of the roads, streets, and highways in Chicago, do you become anxious? Are you avoiding certain routes because it frays your nerves?

If the answer is yes, you wouldn’t be alone. Many people in the Windy City and surrounding areas struggle with this problem. In fact, it’s very common.

As Chicago counselors and therapists, we’ve helped many people just like you who struggle with driving anxiety. Rest assured that you aren’t alone with your fears, even though it can feel that way.

As a gateway to knowledge, let’s look at this life challenge through the lens of self-insight. Afterward, we will share our personalized approach to helping you feel more empowered behind the wheel.

What is driving anxiety?

In a nutshell, driving anxiety, sometimes referred to as driving phobia, is a form of anxiety that sets in when you are behind the wheel of a car.

Common symptoms include:

A sense of panic and dread
Fears of getting into a crash
Worries about being trapped
Worries about driving too fast
Anxiety about losing control
Nausea and dry mouth
Feeling like you might die
Avoiding certain streets or routes
Avoiding driving entirely

Why am I afraid to drive?

There are several reasons why people develop a driving phobia. Sometimes it relates to being in a past accident. Other times it’s because you saw a horrible wreck.

And for some folks, these fears are part of a larger concern about losing control.

How can you help me?

Overcoming driving fears is possible but it requires collaboration and focus to make it happen. In our work with clients, we take the following approach:

Identify your specific fears and their probable causes.
Trigger identification, such as trucks, heavy traffic and weather conditions.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to help address the flight, flight or freeze response that can be attached to thoughts and triggers.
Desensitization techniques designed to make you less anxious.
Cognitive rehearsal to help reinforce learning concepts learned during the session.
Exposure therapy to help you make real-world gains.
Educational approaches that are designed to teach you coping strategies and skills on how to remain more relaxed behind the wheel.

Can CBT and mindfulness work?

For many people, the answer is yes. Much depends on your personal situation, the source of your anxiety and openness to new coping strategies.

CBT can help you to examine your thoughts, including triggers, which are directly linked to your fears. Cognitive rehearsals, guided imagery and affirmations are used for skill-building purposes. They also encourage calm.

Mindfulness approaches, if appropriate, is used as a reinforcer of learning concepts and to create healthier associations with triggers.

Finally, you will be taught how to enter into a more relaxed state before grabbing the car keys and heading to your destination.

What can I expect during therapy?

We’ll explore your fears and assess their origins. We will also unlearn past mental associations that can cause feelings of dread.

Homework assignments are given for self-insight and to build upon progress. The goal is to give you the tools you need to cope with your fears so that you can call upon them should the need arise.

How many sessions will I need?

There’s no cut and dry answer to this question because each person is different. Some folks only need six sessions. Others require more, depending on the intensity of their fears and their progress.

Because anxiety tends to strike people in different ways, we’ll need to assess your unique situation.

Can therapy really help?

Many people have found CBT therapy focused on driving fears to be very helpful in working through the problem. While there are no guarantees, most people find a major difference after taking part in the therapeutic process.

How can I make an appointment?

To contact me to discuss your anxiety challenges and how we might help, call us at 773.234.1350 or send me a confidential note using the online contact form.