Driving phobia: Difference between revisions

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The fear of driving can be severe enough to be considered a phobia.^[1] It is often great enough that people will avoid driving at all costs, and instead find someone to drive them or use public transportation, regardless of how inconvenient or expensive. There is no Latin term for this fear, though it is comparable to hodophobia, the fear of traveling.^{[citation needed]}

A fear of driving may escalate to a phobia during difficult driving situations, such as freeway driving or congested traffic.^[2]

Symptoms

People with a fear of driving may experience trembling, sweating, accelerated pulse, loss of sense of reality, and thoughts of losing control while driving, even in situations that are reasonably safe.^{[unreliable medical source?]}^[3] This fear will cause many to avoid driving, create excuses to not drive, or even refuse to get a driver's license for years.^{[citation needed]}

Those with with associated posttraumatic stress disorder may experience [[intrusive thoughts\\ or dreams of the original accident—both when driving and not—lack of emotional responsiveness. and irritibility.^[4]

Causes

There are three major categories of driving phobia, distinguished by their onset.^{[citation needed]}

The first and most common cause of a fear of driving is traffic accidents. These situations cause PTSD Driving Phobia, where the fear develops in response to a traumatic event.^{[unreliable medical source?]}^[5] Usually, situations like these trigger a fear of driving in only specific situations related to the original cause, though it also can trigger a fear of driving entirely.^{[unreliable medical source?]}^[6]

The second most common form is driving phobia as a specific phobia. Because driving does involve some danger and the possibility of a collision, there does exist some fear or caution in many rational people. However, for some the fear of crashing, losing control over the car, being criticized or being in a dangerous situation will cause panic.^{[unreliable medical source?]}^[1] It is classified as a phobia when the anxiety does not rationally reflect the amount of danger.^{[citation needed]}

The least common categorie is an extension of agorophobia,^{[unreliable medical source?]}^[1] the anxiety of being in crowds or public places. One manifestation of Agorophobia is the inability to travel long distances away from home. When driving, an agorophobe may feel that he is putting himself into a fearful situation, and Driving Phobia may develop.^{[citation needed]}

Treatment

The most common treatment for serious cases is behavior therapy, or simply visiting a psychiatrist, though more research needs to be done on the effectiveness of this method.^[7]

Several other self-help treatments exist, mainly involving exposure therapy and relaxation techniques while driving. Additional driving training and practice with a certified teacher also help many to become more confident and less likely to suffer from anxiety.^{[citation needed]}

One of the emerging methods of treating this fear is through the use of virtual therapy.^[8]

With repeated exposure, all of the subjects displayed significantly less variance from normal in heart rate acceleration, depression readings, subjective distress, depression ratings, and post-traumatic stress disorder ratings.^{[unreliable medical source?]}^[6]

Associated conditions

"Those who present with a fear of driving often describe features consistent with various anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, and social phobia.^{[unreliable medical source?]}^[1]

Epidemiology

Because driving is an inherently dangerous activity, almost everyone will experience driving anxiety to some extent, though not necessarily to the degree of a phobia.^{[citation needed]}
25% - 33% of people involved in a crash that resulted in a referral to a hospital experience this situational fear of driving.^[4]
The majority of those with a fear of driving rate themselves as safer drivers than average, though less relaxed.^{[unreliable medical source?]}^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^{[unreliable medical source?]} Taylor JE, Deane FP, Podd JV (2000). "Determining the focus of driving fears". J Anxiety Disord. 14 (5): 453–70. PMID 11095540.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ ^{[unreliable medical source?]} Mathew RJ, Weinman ML, Semchuk KM, Levin BL (1982). "Driving phobia in the city of Houston: a pilot study". Am J Psychiatry. 139 (8): 1049–51. PMID 7091430. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ ^{[unreliable medical source?]} Driving Anxiety Explored. http://www.fear-of-driving.org/ Fear of Driving. Accessed 18 April 2012.
^ ^a ^b Beck JG, Coffey SF (2007). "Assessment and treatment of PTSD after a motor vehicle collision: Empirical findings and clinical observations". Prof Psychol Res Pr. 38 (6): 629–639. PMC 2396820. PMID 18509507. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
^ ^{[unreliable medical source?]}Types of Road Fear. http://www.driving-phobia.co.uk/types-road-anxiety.htm Ride Drive 30-Jan-2011. Accessed 18 April 2012
^ ^a ^b ^{[unreliable medical source?]} Walshe DG, Lewis EJ, Kim SI, O'Sullivan K, Wiederhold BK (2003). "Exploring the use of computer games and virtual reality in exposure therapy for fear of driving following a motor vehicle accident" (PDF). Cyberpsychol Behav. 6 (3): 329–34. doi:10.1089/109493103322011641. PMID 12855091. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Lauer, G. "The Treatment of Driving Phobia". International Journal of Psychology 27.3 (1992): 469-469
^ Wiederhold B, Wiederhold M. Fear of Driving. Washington, DC, American Psychological Association, 2005. doi:10.1037/10858-013

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Orphan|date=April 2012}}
-The '''fear of driving''' can be severe enough to be considered a phobia.<ref name="determining">{{MEDRS}} {{cite journal |author=Taylor JE, Deane FP, Podd JV |title=Determining the focus of driving fears |journal=J Anxiety Disord |volume=14 |issue=5 |pages=453–70 |year=2000 |pmid=11095540 }}</ref> It is often great enough that people will avoid driving at all costs, and instead find someone to drive them or use public transportation, regardless of how inconvenient or expensive. There is no Latin term for this fear, though it is comparable to [[hodophobia]], the fear of traveling.{{cn}}
+The '''fear of driving''' can be severe enough to be considered a phobia.<ref name="determining">{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}} {{cite journal |author=Taylor JE, Deane FP, Podd JV |title=Determining the focus of driving fears |journal=J Anxiety Disord |volume=14 |issue=5 |pages=453–70 |year=2000 |pmid=11095540 }}</ref> It is often great enough that people will avoid driving at all costs, and instead find someone to drive them or use public transportation, regardless of how inconvenient or expensive. There is no Latin term for this fear, though it is comparable to [[hodophobia]], the fear of traveling.{{cn|date=April 2012}}
-A fear of driving may escalate to a phobia during difficult driving situations, such as freeway driving or congested traffic.<ref name="houston">{{MEDRS}} {{cite journal |author=Mathew RJ, Weinman ML, Semchuk KM, Levin BL |title=Driving phobia in the city of Houston: a pilot study |journal=Am J Psychiatry |volume=139 |issue=8 |pages=1049–51 |year=1982 |month=August |pmid=7091430 }}</ref>
+A fear of driving may escalate to a phobia during difficult driving situations, such as freeway driving or congested traffic.<ref name="houston">{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}} {{cite journal |author=Mathew RJ, Weinman ML, Semchuk KM, Levin BL |title=Driving phobia in the city of Houston: a pilot study |journal=Am J Psychiatry |volume=139 |issue=8 |pages=1049–51 |year=1982 |month=August |pmid=7091430 }}</ref>
 ==Symptoms==
-People with a fear of driving may experience trembling, sweating, accelerated pulse, loss of sense of reality, and thoughts of losing control while driving, even in situations that are reasonably safe.{{MEDRS}}<ref>{{MEDRS}} Driving Anxiety Explored. http://www.fear-of-driving.org/ Fear of Driving. Accessed 18 April 2012.</ref> This fear will cause many to avoid driving, create excuses to not drive, or even refuse to get a driver's license for years.{{cn}}
+People with a fear of driving may experience trembling, sweating, accelerated pulse, loss of sense of reality, and thoughts of losing control while driving, even in situations that are reasonably safe.{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}}<ref>{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}} Driving Anxiety Explored. http://www.fear-of-driving.org/ Fear of Driving. Accessed 18 April 2012.</ref> This fear will cause many to avoid driving, create excuses to not drive, or even refuse to get a driver's license for years.{{cn|date=April 2012}}
 Those with with associated [[posttraumatic stress disorder]] may experience [[intrusive thoughts\\ or dreams of the original accident—both when driving and not—lack of emotional responsiveness. and irritibility.<ref name="assessment">{{cite journal |author=Beck JG, Coffey SF |title=Assessment and treatment of PTSD after a motor vehicle collision: Empirical findings and clinical observations |journal=Prof Psychol Res Pr |volume=38 |issue=6 |pages=629–639 |year=2007 |month=December |pmid=18509507 |pmc=2396820}} </ref>
 ==Causes==
-There are three major categories of driving phobia, distinguished by their onset.{{cn}}
+There are three major categories of driving phobia, distinguished by their onset.{{cn|date=April 2012}}
-The first and most common cause of a fear of driving is traffic accidents. These situations cause [[PTSD]] Driving Phobia, where the fear develops in response to a traumatic event.{{MEDRS}}<ref>{{MEDRS}}Types of Road Fear. http://www.driving-phobia.co.uk/types-road-anxiety.htm Ride Drive 30-Jan-2011. Accessed 18 April 2012</ref> Usually, situations like these trigger a fear of driving in only specific situations related to the original cause, though it also can trigger a fear of driving entirely.{{MEDRS}}<ref name="videogame">{{MEDRS}} {{cite journal |author=Walshe DG, Lewis EJ, Kim SI, O'Sullivan K, Wiederhold BK |title=Exploring the use of computer games and virtual reality in exposure therapy for fear of driving following a motor vehicle accident |journal=Cyberpsychol Behav |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=329–34 |year=2003 |month=June |pmid=12855091 |doi=10.1089/109493103322011641 |url= http://vrphobia.com/library/print/driving.pdf |format= PDF}}</ref>
+The first and most common cause of a fear of driving is traffic accidents. These situations cause [[PTSD]] Driving Phobia, where the fear develops in response to a traumatic event.{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}}<ref>{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}}Types of Road Fear. http://www.driving-phobia.co.uk/types-road-anxiety.htm Ride Drive 30-Jan-2011. Accessed 18 April 2012</ref> Usually, situations like these trigger a fear of driving in only specific situations related to the original cause, though it also can trigger a fear of driving entirely.{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}}<ref name="videogame">{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}} {{cite journal |author=Walshe DG, Lewis EJ, Kim SI, O'Sullivan K, Wiederhold BK |title=Exploring the use of computer games and virtual reality in exposure therapy for fear of driving following a motor vehicle accident |journal=Cyberpsychol Behav |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=329–34 |year=2003 |month=June |pmid=12855091 |doi=10.1089/109493103322011641 |url= http://vrphobia.com/library/print/driving.pdf |format= PDF}}</ref>
-The second most common form is driving phobia as a [[specific phobia]]. Because driving does involve some danger and the possibility of a collision, there does exist some fear or caution in many rational people. However, for some the fear of crashing, losing control over the car, being criticized or being in a dangerous situation will cause panic.{{MEDRS}}<ref name="determining" /> It is classified as a phobia when the anxiety does not rationally reflect the amount of danger.{{cn}}
+The second most common form is driving phobia as a [[specific phobia]]. Because driving does involve some danger and the possibility of a collision, there does exist some fear or caution in many rational people. However, for some the fear of crashing, losing control over the car, being criticized or being in a dangerous situation will cause panic.{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}}<ref name="determining" /> It is classified as a phobia when the anxiety does not rationally reflect the amount of danger.{{cn|date=April 2012}}
-The least common categorie is an extension of [[agorophobia]],{{MEDRS}}<ref name="determining" /> the anxiety of being in crowds or public places. One manifestation of Agorophobia is the inability to travel long distances away from home. When driving, an agorophobe may feel that he is putting himself into a fearful situation, and Driving Phobia may develop.{{cn}}
+The least common categorie is an extension of [[agorophobia]],{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}}<ref name="determining" /> the anxiety of being in crowds or public places. One manifestation of Agorophobia is the inability to travel long distances away from home. When driving, an agorophobe may feel that he is putting himself into a fearful situation, and Driving Phobia may develop.{{cn|date=April 2012}}
 ==Treatment==
 The most common treatment for serious cases is [[behavior therapy]], or simply visiting a psychiatrist, though more research needs to be done on the effectiveness of this method.<ref>Lauer, G. "The Treatment of Driving Phobia". ''International Journal of Psychology'' 27.3 (1992): 469-469</ref>
-Several other self-help treatments exist, mainly involving [[exposure therapy]] and [[relaxation technique]]s while driving. Additional driving training and practice with a certified teacher also help many to become more confident and less likely to suffer from anxiety.{{cn}}
+Several other self-help treatments exist, mainly involving [[exposure therapy]] and [[relaxation technique]]s while driving. Additional driving training and practice with a certified teacher also help many to become more confident and less likely to suffer from anxiety.{{cn|date=April 2012}}
 One of the emerging methods of treating this fear is through the use of [[virtual therapy]].<ref>Wiederhold B, Wiederhold M. ''Fear of Driving''. Washington, DC, ''American Psychological Association'', 2005. {{doi|10.1037/10858-013}}</ref>
-With repeated exposure, all of the subjects displayed significantly less variance from normal in heart rate acceleration, depression readings, subjective distress, depression ratings, and post-traumatic stress disorder ratings.{{MEDRS}}<ref name="videogame" />
+With repeated exposure, all of the subjects displayed significantly less variance from normal in heart rate acceleration, depression readings, subjective distress, depression ratings, and post-traumatic stress disorder ratings.{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}}<ref name="videogame" />
 ==Associated conditions==
-"Those who present with a fear of driving often describe features consistent with various anxiety disorders, including [[panic disorder]], [[agoraphobia]], [[specific phobia]], and [[Social anxiety disorder|social phobia]].{{MEDRS}}<ref name="determining" />
+"Those who present with a fear of driving often describe features consistent with various anxiety disorders, including [[panic disorder]], [[agoraphobia]], [[specific phobia]], and [[Social anxiety disorder|social phobia]].{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}}<ref name="determining" />
 ==Epidemiology==
-* Because driving is an inherently dangerous activity, almost everyone will experience driving anxiety to some extent, though not necessarily to the degree of a phobia.{{cn}}
+* Because driving is an inherently dangerous activity, almost everyone will experience driving anxiety to some extent, though not necessarily to the degree of a phobia.{{cn|date=April 2012}}
 * 25% - 33% of people involved in a crash that resulted in a referral to a hospital experience this situational fear of driving.<ref name="assessment" />
-* The majority of those with a fear of driving rate themselves as safer drivers than average, though less relaxed.{{MEDRS}}<ref name="determining" />
+* The majority of those with a fear of driving rate themselves as safer drivers than average, though less relaxed.{{MEDRS|date=April 2012}}<ref name="determining" />
 ==References==