Fear of Driving

A fear of driving can be a form of agoraphobia, the literal definition of which is a fear of "open spaces." However, they may not just be afraid of open spaces, they can also be afraid of empty roads, the camber of the road, sheer drops and bridges They think if the fear gets very strong, it will translate into action.  

Someone under a great deal of stress caused by work or home life, could have a panic attack any time, anywhere, but it is doubly problematic if they have that attack whilst driving.  They blame the panic attack on the ROAD rather than the real source -  if they had had the panic attack whilst walking in the street, would they have blamed it on the pavement?  Thereafter there is the debilitating fear it will happen again - if they drive on similar roads.

A driving phobia may be brought on by the trauma of being involved in an accident.  That person may then feel incapable of driving.  

Also many non-drivers who rely on family and friends to drive them about, lack the confidence to get behind the wheel, if those drivers are no longer around.

Other people who have a phobia of driving, are still able to drive but with high anxiety throughout and it is not unknown for a driver to end up so rigid with fear, they are unable to continue their journey.   They may be capable of driving on minor roads near where they live/work but are incapable of driving on unknown roads or motorways.  For people without a fear, a journey from A to B will be by the straightest route possible.   For a person with a fear of unknown roads or motorways, the journey could be many times longer, as they avoid every road which makes them fearful.

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