Phobia is fear can reach limit Most of a person’s life. It’s more than just feeling nervous or worried;is an intense fear that can cause a person to completely avoid the thing they fear, even if it is harmless stuff.
For example, someone with arachnophobia may panic when seeing a small spider, even if the spider is small and poses no real threat.he fear of flying or to enclosed space They’re some of the most popular phobias, but there are others that are less well-known, like the one this actress suffers from Penelope Cruz.In an interview with Elle magazine on the occasion of the premiere of Ferrari, the actress admitted that she Driving phobia. The translator explained that her fear stemmed from an incident that occurred when she was eight or nine years old. The car hit his sister Monica was right in front of her. “Time stopped at that moment. It was a huge trauma and I saw her unconscious. She was paralyzed in hospital.”he revealed.
The phobia the actress suffered from was called Oxophobia According to the European Automobile Club Foundation, this condition is common, as up to 30% of people with driving licenses in Spain are affected.
What is oxophobia?
The Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE) explains that people with oxophobia, or a fear of driving, can experience anxiety and even panic attacks at the thought of having to drive. This is much more important than what happens when some drivers get nervous in certain situations, such as driving on the highway. curve,on the way narrow or in central city. “This is a disease that must be treated directly by a psychologist”they pointed out.
this symptom Symptoms of phobias include nervousness, anxiety, difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, sweaty hands, or trembling legs and arms. This person truly feels unable to drive.
According to RACE, the people most likely to develop this phobia are those who have had it in the past. traumatic experience Driving-related accidents or run-overs, habitual drivers They quickly begin to feel anxious Then stop driving Two years after getting your license.
How to overcome fear of driving
When faced with irrational fears about driving, it is recommended to see a psychologist for treatment phobia. There are a variety of treatments that can effectively address this problem. Several can be used simultaneously, and a roadmap must be developed by a psychologist.
- exposure therapy: This therapy involves gradually exposing patients to the object of their fear, in this case driving. You can start by practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing while sitting in a parked car. Once you feel comfortable, you can drive short distances in areas with less traffic. Over time, people gradually increase their exposure to more complex driving situations.exist driving improvement course Content taught by RACE or similar entities can give you confidence and help you overcome your fear of driving.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): People with phobias may automatically have negative thoughts, such as “I’m going to have an accident” or “I can’t control the car.” Through this therapy, you will learn to identify these thoughts and question them.For example, you can learn replace These thoughts come with more realistic and positive statements such as “I’ve driven safely before and I can do it again.”
- Systemic desensitization treatment: This technique involves learning to relax while imagining an anxiety-provoking situation, such as entering a highway. When imagining this situation, the person learns to relax deeply. Over time, as you become more comfortable, you can continue to handle real-life situations because you know you are capable of handling it.
- Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Deep breathing exercises can help people relax when they feel anxious while driving. While driving, you can practice mindfulness, focusing on the present moment and body sensations rather than worrying about what might happen.
- supportive care: Psychologists can help people explore the causes of their fears and develop strategies to overcome them. It can also be helpful to join a support group of people with the same problem.
These strategies can be used to deal with Other phobiasalthough each will have specific methods and treatments.
