Amaxophobiais a phobia (irrational fear) of driving or being in a car.
However, severe amaxophobia can cause you to avoid being in a car altogether.
However, phobias often develop after a traumatic experience.
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Having been involved in a car accidentor even having heard about someone else’s accidentcould influence your condition.
Phobias are considered a key in of anxiety disorder.
These conditions can be due to an imbalance of chemicals, calledneurotransmitters, in your brain.
Two neurotransmitters in particular that can cause symptoms of anxiety are dopamine and serotonin.
The environment you grew up in can also contribute to your phobia.
It is possible to have a phobia of something without experiencing a negative or traumatic event.
Some people have phobias with no known trigger or cause.
Symptoms of Amaxophobia
Symptoms of amaxophobia can vary from person to person.
These physical symptoms can occur while you’re driving, or even when you’re just thinking about driving.
While amaxophobia is not listed in the DSM-5, this condition is similar to a diagnosis of specific phobia.
These can include psychotherapy, self-help techniques, and medications.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapywith a mental health professional is often the first treatment for amaxophobia.
One method that is used to treat phobias iscognitive behavioral therapy(CBT).
Amaxophobia is based on irrational thoughts and fears about driving.
These thoughts then affect your emotions and behaviors.
CBT challenges your irrational thought patterns and teaches you healthy ways of thinking.
Your therapist might useexposure therapyas part of your treatment for amaxophobia.
This technique involves gradual exposure to your fears while incorporating newly learned coping methods to control your anxiety response.
Exposure therapy might begin with talking about driving or looking at pictures of people driving.
This treatment could also include virtual reality training to allow you to practice driving in a safe environment.
Self-Help
Self-help techniques can be effective for reducing symptoms of anxiety.
This can significantly impact your daily activities.
Medications can be effective in treating severe phobias.
However, they can cause significant sleepiness and should not be taken if you are driving.
They can also be habit-forming.
Phobias are sometimes treated with antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Summary
Amaxophobia is an irrational fear of driving or riding in a car.
People with this condition may also avoid other forms of transportation such as buses, trains, and airplanes.
Phobias can cause anxiety symptoms such as chest pain, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Treatments include psychotherapy, self-help techniques, and sometimes medications.
PsychCentral.What is driving anxiety?
Boston Children’s Hospital.Phobias symptoms & causes.
Anxiety & Depression Association of American.Overcoming the fear of driving.
National Center for Biotechnology Information.
PsychCentral.All about cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
PsychCentral.What is exposure therapy?
Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Medication options.
