Amaxophobia (also called hamaxophobia) makes you feel anxious or fearful when you drive or ride in a vehicle, such as a car, bus or plane. With it, you have a fear of driving and may also get anxious being a passenger. This fear can interfere with work, socializing and travel.
Although you can manage symptoms of driving anxiety, it often does not go away on its own. Overcoming it usually requires help from a psychologist or other mental health specialist. Common treatments for driving anxiety include cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and virtual reality treatment.
If you have a fear of driving, it is something that you will need to work hard to overcome. For some people, it is simply a matter of getting more experience behind the wheel. For others, the fear can be so bad that they need to get counseling to figure out why they are so afraid and learn how to deal with it.
While driving alone can feel intimidating, you shouldn't let it put you off driving. The sooner you can get behind the wheel the better. If you're feeling anxious, start off with a few shorter trips, during quieter times and build up to busier roads.
It takes the average person about six months to get used to driving, so it might take some time and patience for you to get comfortable with driving. It's okay if it takes you a little longer, too! The average person will drive for about 40 hours within that six months.
Inattention can lead to distraction and impulsivity can lead to poor reactions to other drivers or traffic conditions. Adults with ADHD tend to overestimate their driving abilities, even though they may have poorer driving experiences than their peers.
While driving alone can feel intimidating, you shouldn't let it put you off driving. The sooner you can get behind the wheel the better. If you're feeling anxious, start off with a few shorter trips, during quieter times and build up to busier roads.
It takes the average person about six months to get used to driving, so it might take some time and patience for you to get comfortable with driving. It's okay if it takes you a little longer, too! The average person will drive for about 40 hours within that six months.
Improving your driving skills
We always have to be driving somewhere so it's important to take driving lessons to build confidence. Not only that but you'll find that taking driving lessons to build confidence will help you learn to improve your skills at driving.
Though it is not illegal to drive with anxiety, drivers should do so with caution. Those dealing with it may have severe physical responses like panic attacks, shaking, or even fainting, which can severely inhibit your driving ability and create a dangerous roadway.
Drive a Car With a Manual Transmission
Adults (and children) with ADHD tend to be more productive and focused when an activity is involving and engaging. For some people with ADHD shifting gears manually while driving provides a positive level of stimulation that is helpful in maintaining focus.
Drivers with ADHD experience more severe crashes and are more likely to be killed in a car crash than drivers without ADHD. Adolescents, more than any other age group, are at a high risk for motor vehicle crashes.