Driving anxiety can make an ordinary journey feel much bigger than the distance involved.
You may still drive, but only on familiar roads. Perhaps you avoid dual carriageways, large roundabouts or travelling at busy times. You might feel comfortable with somebody beside you and very different when you are driving alone.
For some people, the worry is about losing control of the car. For others, it is the thought of feeling panicky, becoming trapped in traffic or getting somewhere and then being unable to drive home.
Even before the journey begins, you may already be imagining other drivers pulling out, traffic building up or something going wrong.
This can be exhausting, particularly when driving used to feel quite ordinary.
How driving anxiety can begin
Sometimes there is a clear starting point.
You may have been involved in an accident, had a near miss or experienced a frightening physical sensation while driving. Afterwards, you become much more alert to anything that could signal danger.
Another driver approaching a junction catches your attention immediately. You watch every car waiting to pull out and feel prepared for somebody to cut across you.
That alertness may have made sense after what happened. The difficulty comes when every journey continues to feel as though another incident is about to occur.
Driving anxiety can also develop after:
- a long break from driving
- illness or a period of poor health
- a panic attack in the car
- becoming lost on an unfamiliar route
- driving during a stressful period
- a difficult lesson or test
- losing confidence as a passenger
- a major change such as moving to a new area
There isn’t always one event to explain it.
Which journeys have become difficult?
Driving anxiety is different for everybody.
You may feel anxious about:
- motorways or dual carriageways
- bridges or tunnels
- large roundabouts
- narrow roads
- traffic queues
- driving at night
- unfamiliar routes
- travelling far from home
- driving alone
- having passengers in the car
- being judged by impatient drivers
- feeling unable to stop or turn around
- experiencing physical symptoms at the wheel
Some people continue driving but plan every journey in great detail. Others gradually reduce where they go until only a small number of routes feel manageable.
We begin with your experience and the freedom you would like to regain.
“What if I can’t get back?”
Sometimes getting to the destination isn’t the only concern.
You may worry about how you will feel when it is time to return, particularly if you are driving alone. That can make the whole outing feel uncertain before you have even left home.
You might turn down a trip because the return journey will be after dark, during busy traffic or at a time when you expect to feel tired.
We can include both parts of the journey in our work. Being able to imagine arriving somewhere is useful; feeling confident that you can make decisions about the journey home matters too.
When anxiety makes you watch everybody else
Safe driving requires attention, but anxiety can turn that attention into constant scanning.
You watch side roads, mirrors and the behaviour of every other driver. A car moving slightly forward can feel like evidence that it is about to pull out.
This can leave you tense, tired and less able to concentrate on the journey as a whole.
Our aim isn’t to make you careless or ignore genuine hazards. It is to help you use your attention appropriately without treating every possibility as though it is already happening.
How hypnotherapy may help
Hypnotherapy can help relieve anxiety connected with driving.
We begin by discussing the journeys you find difficult, what you notice in your body and mind, and what you currently do to feel safer.
During hypnosis, I may use relaxation, imagery and mental rehearsal of driving while you are safely seated in the therapy room or at home during an online appointment.
We might rehearse:
- getting into the car and settling before you begin
- joining a busier road
- approaching a roundabout
- waiting in traffic
- noticing another driver without assuming what they will do
- continuing after a small mistake
- making a journey alone
- arriving and knowing you can deal with the return journey
The imagined journey doesn’t have to be empty and perfect. Other vehicles may be present, traffic may slow and somebody may behave impatiently.
We can focus on you responding safely and steadily when ordinary driving situations occur.
Hypnosis doesn’t replace driving skills
If a long break, an accident or a loss of confidence has affected your driving skills, time with a calm and appropriately qualified driving instructor may be valuable.
A refresher lesson can help you practise road positioning, motorway driving, parking or anything else that has begun to feel uncertain.
Hypnotherapy can support the anxiety and confidence around driving. An instructor can assess and develop the practical skills.
The two forms of support can work alongside each other where appropriate.
Returning to the road gradually
The useful step is rarely to go from avoiding a road completely to attempting the longest and busiest journey you can imagine.
You may begin with a familiar route, travel at a quieter time or drive a little further than usual. As confidence grows, the next step can build on what you have already done.
We can discuss what feels realistic and safe.
The aim is progress that matters to you, whether that means driving independently to work, visiting somebody, using a dual carriageway or simply having more choice over where you go.
Safety must come first
If dizziness, faintness, visual disturbance, chest symptoms, blackouts or another physical problem affects your driving, stop safely and seek medical advice.
Please don’t assume that a new or unexplained symptom is caused by anxiety.
Medication, medical conditions, eyesight and tiredness can also affect driving. Follow the advice of your GP, pharmacist, optician and the DVLA where relevant.
Never listen to hypnosis, sleep or closed-eye relaxation recordings while driving, cycling or operating machinery.
Decisions about driving must always be based on your health, ability, the law and road safety.
When another form of support may be needed
Driving anxiety can sometimes form part of panic disorder, trauma symptoms or a more significant phobia.
A GP or NHS Talking Therapies can help with assessment and established psychological treatment. If another service should be involved, I’ll explain that during our initial conversation.
Hypnotherapy can be used as complementary support where it is appropriate.
What happens at the initial consultation?
We’ll talk about:
- when the driving anxiety began
- the roads and situations you avoid
- what you fear may happen
- any physical symptoms
- whether practical driving confidence is part of the problem
- the journeys you would like to make
- any support or treatment you already receive
You can ask me about hypnosis and how I would approach the sessions.
There is no driving during the appointment. The consultation takes place at my Hayle practice or online.
Would you like to feel more comfortable driving?
Tell me which journeys have become difficult and what you would like to be able to do.
I’ll explain whether my approach seems suitable and whether practical driving support or medical advice should form part of the plan.
Appointments are available in Hayle, Cornwall, and online.