There are many reasons why someone with a license might avoid driving. Indeed, many reasons why the freedom of the open road would be less conspicuous to a driver than the reality of the presence of unpredictable drivers on the road, and the sheer responsibility of being in control, leading to a fear that wasn't there during driving lessons.They include negative past experiences with other drivers, a lack of confidence in one’s skills, or even a general anxiety about being in control. These reasons, which have been explored in one of the previous parts of this series, ultimately leave people with a valid license that continually gathers dust in wallets and a lingering feeling of "what if?"
Read moreOvercoming the Fear of Driving: A 5-Part Series on Beating Your Fear of Driving Part 3: Understanding the Interplay between OCD, Negative Thinking, and Fear of Driving
The fear of driving is often isn't just about a specific situation, like merging onto a highway. It can be fueled by a cycle of negativity and obsessive anxieties, often linked to OCD. Thankfully, manifestations of negative thinking, OCD, and their relationship to the fear of driving are not beyond the curative power of our potent therapeutic trio - Hypnosis, NLP, and TLT. But before we consider how these therapies can help, let’s beam some expository light on how the three elements of negative thinking, OCD, and the fear of driving intertwine.
Read moreResolving Anxiety: What Treatments Are Available?
People with anxiety disorders find it a challenge to manage daily activities. As a result, their work life, school work or personal relationships often suffer.
If you experience repeated episodes of intense fear, worry or apprehension and this condition lasts more than 6 months, you need to seek treatment soonest possible.
Early treatment reduces the severity of symptoms associated with anxiety disorders and can help prevent health complications arising from a worsened condition.
Read moreWhat Is Anxiety? Unraveling The Often Misunderstood Emotion
According to The American Psychological Association (APA), anxiety is an emotion whose chief characteristics include feelings of tension, worrisome thoughts, and physical symptoms such as high blood pressure.
It is a condition that could cause fear, recurring intrusive thoughts, apprehension, restlessness, and excessive nervousness. These feelings are usually disproportionate to the actual trigger.
A person suffering from deep anxiety might choose to avoid some situations because of worry. Also, they might display physical symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, trembling, sweating, dizziness and sleeplessness.
Different people experience anxiety in different ways. For some, it might be butterflies in your stomach or a racing heart kind of situation. But for others, they might feel out of control or a disconnect between body and mind. Anxiety symptoms could also include panic attacks, nightmares, or uncontrollable, painful memories.
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