How can I overcome the fear of driving? – Tips from Psychology

Hello friends!

I recently received some questions from the site’s readers about how to overcome their fear of driving. And, also, how to overcome nervousness when taking the test to get a driver’s license. In this text, I will give some psychology tips on how to overcome these difficulties.

Once we learn to drive, driving becomes a simple, automatic, peaceful act. So why are some people afraid? What generates fear?

In principle, the fear of driving is similar to other fears, such as the fear of flying, the fear of elevators or the fear of public speaking. The characteristic present in all these manifestations, of course, is fear.

Fear is defined by the dictionary as: 1 Disturbance resulting from the idea of ​​real or apparent danger or the presence of something strange or dangerous; fright, fright, terror. 2 Apprehension. For psychology, fear is considered a basic emotion that would protect us from a certain harm or threat. On the other hand, psychology also defines fear as specific escape or avoidance behaviors, in which anxiety is the result of threats that are perceived as uncontrollable or unavoidable.

In other words, we can say that fear can be positive, it can really save us from a danger or threat. On the other hand, fear can be paralyzing and exaggerated, reaching points where the person simply cannot leave the house, due to generalized fear.

In the case of fear of driving, we can think of two main causes:

1) An accident or traumatic event that elicited fear and, despite the passage of time, it remains;

2) Thoughts and imaginations of tragedies or disasters related to the use of cars, motorcycles, buses or other means of transport.

How to overcome the fear of driving?

Before we get into this topic, I would also like to talk about the nervousness that can precede the test to get the CNH, the National Driver’s License. Although it is related to the general issue – the fear of driving – nervousness before tests and assessments is a little different. Perhaps it is not specifically due to fear of driving, but to a person’s psychic difficulty in being evaluated.

To treat this nervousness that precedes the test, I suggest two simple and effective techniques that have a positive effect:

1) Relaxation Techniques, such as the Relaxation Exercise

2) Strongly imagine that you have already passed the test and already have your license. The proof act to come would then be just a formality, a diversion – your first time where you could show all the knowledge acquired.

The fear of driving should not be considered a big issue. It is actually also very easy and simple to resolve as long as the affected person seeks help. There are several psychology techniques that can help, but the techniques must be thought of individually.

For some, therapy will be the only and definitive way to overcome fear, which may have come from a real and complicated trauma. For others, one or a few sessions with a psychologist may already be enough to receive more information and better structure the behaviors that precede driving.

For people who are only slightly afraid of driving, but can already drive in certain calmer places, what I suggest is constant training. That is, keep driving, slowly and in quiet places, until you acquire more confidence and pleasure, making the whole process easy and interesting.

For everyone I also suggest these materials:

Kit Overcome the fear of driving

Ebook – The Secrets of the Driving Exam

Fear of Driving – Dr. Olga Tessari

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