According to a study carried out by the National Institute of Medical Health, almost 10% of the population suffers from some type of phobia. One such phobia is getting behind the wheel and driving on the freeway. It scares people, to the extent that some are ready to take longer routes just to avoid driving next to large trucks and SUVs!
While the situation may seem overwhelming each time you think about it, it’s not without its cure. In this blog, we’ll discuss the effectiveness of hypnosis in treating driving phobias!
What Causes a Fear of Driving?
A fear of driving is generally exhibited in people who suffer from other mental or physical illnesses as well. For example, people who experience occasional panic attacks also have a phobia of driving. But in their case, it can’t really be called a phobia because having a panic attack while behind the while can put your life in danger, so it’s understandable.
Then there are people whose fear of driving stems from performance anxiety. Such individuals might have gotten their license, but choose to drive less due to a lack of confidence. The thought of driving poorly and be judged by others or becoming a source of hindrance to other drivers makes them afraid of getting behind the wheel.
Now let’s go over some fears that incline more towards the irrational side:
- Fear of Fatalities:This is the exaggerated fear in which a person underestimates their driving ability and of those around them. They can’t help fear crashing into a pedestrian and car each time they’re in the driving seat.
- Driving to New Areas:These people are comfortable with driving, as long as it’s on familiar routes. Beyond that, there’s the exaggerated fear of running out of gas, getting lost, or getting stuck in traffic.
- Bad Experiences: This doesn’t necessarily include those involved in car crashes. It can even be people who have gotten caught in a storm or been at the receiving end of road rage.
How Hypnotherapy Helps
Hypnotherapy seeks to address irrational thoughts rooted within the subconscious. Some people find it hard to divorce the past which causes bad experiences to imbed within the unconscious and later develop into behavioral habits.
Hypnotherapy uses techniques that bring about a fundamental change within the person’s thinking patterns. It brings people into a state of extreme concentration and relaxation. Here, it becomes easier to suggest positive thoughts; thoughts that go onto replace existing irrational fears.
Living with car-driving phobias can make life difficult—but it doesn’t have to be that way. Rekha Shrivastava is a certified hypnotist at Blossom Hypnosis who employs self-confidence strategies and helps clients get rid of phobias. Contact us today for more information!
Rekha also offers Skype sessions to clients not residing in Rochester, NY.
Sources:
https://www.dailysabah.com/health/2016/01/07/driving-phobia-can-be-treated-through-hypnosis
https://hypnosis.edu/articles/driving-anxiety
https://www.drivingpeace.com/fear-of-driving-on-highways-and-bridges/#.XTrWOPIzYps
https://www.rtor.org/2019/01/22/top-10-things-about-freeway-phobia/
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