Clinical hypnotherapist explains driving anxiety causes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 18:31 · Archive

Driving anxiety affects people differently, from specific situations like motorways to general journeys, with symptoms including tension, racing heart and dizziness.

Cambridgeshire-based clinical hypnotherapist Dan Regan explains how driving anxiety affects people in different ways. For some, the anxiety is limited to particular situations such as joining fast roads, overtaking, busy roads or driving somewhere unfamiliar. Others may become anxious about almost any journey, whilst some are comfortable driving themselves but become very anxious as passengers when someone else is in control.

The anxiety itself varies considerably between individuals. Some experience a constant feeling of tension or unease, whilst others report a racing heart, shaking, dizziness or feeling hot. If someone has experienced a panic attack whilst driving, they can become worried about it happening again.

According to Regan, anxiety often begins long before getting into the car. People may start worrying about a journey hours or even days in advance, imagining difficult parts and wondering how they will feel. By the time they actually enter the car, they have already spent considerable time practising feeling anxious about the journey, which can lead to avoidance behaviour.

Regan notes that driving can become more uncomfortable as evenings draw in, with darker roads, headlight glare, wet weather and reduced visibility all contributing to increased difficulty compared to summer journeys.

How it is being reported

• Clinical hypnotherapist explains why driving can make people feel anxiousCambridgeshire-based clinical hypnotherapist Dan Regan explains why driving can make people feel anxious.Ely Standard · 18 Oct, 18:00
• Clinical hypnotherapist explains why driving can make people feel anxiousCambridgeshire-based clinical hypnotherapist Dan Regan explains why driving can make people feel anxious.Cambs Times · 18 Oct, 18:00

In this story: Dan Regan · Cambridgeshire · Ely

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