Driving With Ptsd/Fear Of Driving

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can develop after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event, such as a car accident. It is natural to experience fear after being in a car accident the next time you drive or are in a vehicle. 

However, when the fear does not subside and becomes overwhelming, with flashbacks, nightmares, and other such symptoms, then it becomes necessary to seek professional treatment. With the right mental health treatment plan, it is possible to overcome PTSD, where you can feel comfortable driving again. 

What Is Vehophobia?

Vehophobia is the intense fear of driving a vehicle. It is often triggered after being in a very bad car crash. It can also be caused after seeing someone else get into a car accident with serious injuries. Some people may also develop this condition as a learned behavior, such as if a parent or loved one drives scared or fearful about driving. In some cases, it can be triggered as a side effect of other anxiety disorders.

It is worth mentioning someone with vehophobia only has a fear of driving. People with this condition are often fine as passengers and have no fear or symptoms of their condition. 

What Is Dystychiphobia?

Dystychiphobia is a mental health disorder where someone has a fear of accidents. People tend to feel anxious and uneasy when they see or think about an accident occurring in a specific place. People with this condition have often experienced a traumatic accident previously, such as a car accident. They can also develop this condition from witnessing a close family member or friend sustain serious injuries or even death from an accident.  

What Is Amaxophobia?

Amaxophobia is similar to vehophobia but also includes the fear of being a passenger in a vehicle. With this condition, people can become fearful and anxious, whether behind the wheel or riding as a passenger. The fear can also spread to other forms of transportation, including buses, trains, and planes. 

What Should I Do If I Develop One Of These Conditions After A Car Accident?

Each of these conditions is treated with a personalized mental health treatment plan. So, if you develop one of these conditions after a car accident, it is essential to seek mental health treatment, just like you would medical treatment for physical injuries. Depending on the severity of the condition, it could take several months or longer before you are able to overcome your condition and be able to drive or ride in a vehicle again.

You should also consult with an experienced auto accident attorney as soon as possible following the car accident. You are entitled to compensatory damages from the responsible party to cover the costs of your mental health treatment. You can also seek other damages, such as pain and suffering, medical expenses for physical injuries, and lost wages from work. 

How Can Mental Health Treatment Help?

Mental health treatment programs offer a wide range of evidence-based and holistic therapeutic methodologies to help people overcome driving PTSD, vehophobia, dystychiphobia, and amaxophobia. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, involves one-on-one sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist to work through the trauma and develop effective coping mechanisms.

CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) can also be used. These specialized forms of psychotherapy help individuals learn more about the underlying causes of their fear and help them learn how to change negative thought patterns into positive ones to overcome their fears. 

In addition, participating in group therapy can help people learn from their peers who have also experienced traumatic car accidents. Group sessions also allow individuals to develop an extended support network and create a sense of community, which are essential to recovery from the fear of driving.

Holistic therapies, such as meditation, yoga, and art therapy, are equally beneficial, as they allow individuals to learn various techniques for alleviating stress and anxiety while also being able to express their fear of driving non-verbally to confront it and overcome it. 

Driving Tips To Overcome The Fear Of Driving

In addition to seeking professional mental health treatment for the fear of driving, there are several driving tips one can use as they start to drive again, such as:

• Complete a defensive driving course: Brushing up on defensive driving skills can sometimes help address fears related to driving. The course could help people feel more in control of their driving, allowing them to feel more confident in their driving abilities while alleviating fear.
• Maintain a safe following distance when driving: Having plenty of space between you and the vehicles in front of you can help alleviate some of the fears of driving. It gives you ample space and time to stop quickly should there be any issues with the vehicles in front of you.
• Do some relaxation techniques before, during, and after: Before heading out, use your holistic therapy training with breathing exercises and other techniques to help you remain calm. When stopped at a red light or stuck in traffic, do some deep breathing exercises to help alleviate any anxiety or stress that is building. Once you get to your destination, do some more relaxation techniques to let go of any built-up tension or fear. 
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times: Get into the habit of checking your side and rearview mirror periodically to get a sense of where other vehicles are in relation to yours. This also allows you to formulate an escape plan should you need to move out of the way quickly if the vehicles in front of you crash.
• Pull over and stop in a safe location if you feel overwhelmed: It is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed the first few times after addressing your fears through therapy. Simply find a safe spot to pull over, where you can do some relaxation techniques and calm down before continuing on your way. 
• Avoid all distractions: As you start to become more comfortable, it can be tempting to adopt habits like eating, drinking, applying makeup, or even texting or talking while driving. These distractions take your eyes off the road, which could result in an accident, and retrigger your fears. So, it is better to put the phone down and avoid anything that distracts you from the road. 

Get Help With Your Car Accident Injury Claim In Las Vegas Today

When you are injured in an accident due to another’s negligence, dealing with insurance companies to get the compensation you deserve can be overwhelming. At Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, our Las Vegas auto accident attorneys provide the support and guidance you need. Our legal experts work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, freeing you up to concentrate on your healing and recovery.