by Dr. Lindsay Kramer, psychotherapist and staff writer at The April Center For Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
www.KickFear.com
www.KickFear.com
Do you or someone you
know have a fear of driving on freeways?
This is not uncommon. We
turn on the morning news, and we inevitably hear about traffic accidents on
freeways. If you are a resident in
Los Angeles or San Diego, California, freeway driving is equivalent to owning a
cell phone—necessary and efficient.
After all, Los Angeles and San Diego are not known for their public
transportation system. So let’s
talk about freeway anxiety and how to master the strength to get behind the
wheel.
A fear of freeway driving can derive from many
different situations. I have
worked with numerous patients that developed a phobia of driving on the freeway
after being in car accidents. This
is particularly true when the accident was not their fault. Fear can develop when we feel a loss of
control over ourselves in a situation.
And being rear-ended or side-swiped out of nowhere can induce extreme
anxiety—especially when later attempting to drive that same freeway where the
accident occurred.
I have also worked with patients whom have
never driven on a freeway and the phobia simply exists due to uncertainty. For these individuals, the terror that
arises when even thinking of driving
on the freeway is debilitating and can result in avoidance to minimize anxious
feelings. Some are able to drive
on local streets; however, many cannot bring themselves to enter the freeway on-ramp
due to the higher rates of speed, plus fear of panic if unable to exit the
freeway should they become too anxious.
Now, obviously, there are ways to travel
without having to drive. However,
it is generally agreed that the most effective and practical means of
transportation is driving (especially in LA and San Diego). It cuts back on travel time, and it
keeps us from relying on those unpredictable bus routes and schedules. We can load our car with a week’s worth
of groceries rather than being limited to what we can carry in our recyclable
bags. We can be independent and
maintain freedom of choice with regard to our destination at all times. Overall, driving just makes life easier,
more pleasant and enjoyable.
Now how do we overcome a phobia of driving on
the freeway? Or even just driving
anxiety in general? First and
foremost, it is essential to understand the nature of the phobia. What happens
when I think about getting behind the wheel and driving on the freeway or
highway? What are the distorted
thoughts that elicit panic?
The next step is seeking out treatment. The only proven method for treating
freeway phobia is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Using specific tools and methods, a trained anxiety
specialist can work with you to gradually desensitize your fear of freeway
driving. In addition, the anxiety doctor will systematically expose you to the feared situation, while working
with you to manage the anxiety.
With driving anxiety treatment, success stories
are consistent when it comes to helping people overcome freeway phobias. It can be so limiting to live in a big
city and not experience the wealth of it due to driving anxiety. I challenge you to take the step to
enrich your life and call The April Center. Let’s help you get your life back!
All the best,
DR. KRAMER
from The April Center For Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
P. S. Don't forget to sign up for our anxiety newsletter on our website's home page where you'll receive free anxiety tips!
____________________________________________________________________________
DR. KRAMER
from The April Center For Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles
P. S. Don't forget to sign up for our anxiety newsletter on our website's home page where you'll receive free anxiety tips!
____________________________________________________________________________
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