Driver anxiety
For those who feel nervous behind the wheel, rest assured there are ways to ease your fears
Driving can be one of life’s most liberating and empowering joys, but for those that feel anxious about getting behind the wheel, personal mobility can be a nightmare.
Anxiety affects people in different ways and for various reasons, and while many Australians perform their daily commute on auto pilot, for some it’s a nerve-racking experience.
WHY DO YOU FEEL THIS WAY?
Clinical psychologist Catherine Madigan, who runs a specialised anxiety clinic based in Melbourne called Anxiety Australia, says it’s important to find the root cause of the anxiety before trying to find possible solutions.
“Some people are just worried about having a panic attack in a car. They don’t want to be trapped on the West Gate Bridge, or don’t like driving through tunnels, or being at intersections. They have a trapped feeling, so become scared of suffering a panic attack more than actually being scared of driving,” she explains.
“But some people are very worried about the actual driving – that they are going to have an accident.”
Whether it’s because of lingering side-effects after a crash that left your cage rattled, or a general nervous feeling about being behind the wheel, there are several ways to get over driving anxiety.
OVERCOMING YOUR NERVES
Catherine recommends gradual exposure to driving, and to do it in situations that are less anxiety-inducing, such as with a trusted and helpful instructor, or in light traffic rather than rush hour. Then, increase the difficulty as your confidence grows.
“There are particular things that can make you anxious, like merging, or just going at high speeds on the highway, for example,” she adds. “Some people may benefit from having brush-up driving lessons with someone who is good with anxious drivers. “People need to do what we call progressive or graded exposure with driving. If they lack confidence in certain driving scenarios, they need to practise. “If you are anxious about driving, it would make sense to drive at times when the road isn’t as crowded.” Central to banishing driving anxiety is building
up confidence in measured and controlled environments. Defensive driving courses are great for this.
All drivers are encouraged to take part in a defensive driving course, but those dealing with driving anxiety will particularly benefit to develop their skills safely and away from traffic with a trained professional.
ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL!
Catherine acknowledges that having an instructor in the passenger seat could add pressure for some anxious drivers.
“It’s important to find out what is helpful, and discovering what makes them feel more secure,” she says.
“Generally, for people that are anxious, I would say to confront a situation you don’t like, to make it as easy on yourself as possible.”
So, if you are suffering from driving anxiety, it’s important to identify the root cause, and build up skills and confidence in a comfortable way.
Speaking to a psychologist, or making use of organisation such as Beyondblue and The Anxiety Recovery Centre, is also highly encouraged.