Overcoming Driving Anxiety: How to Deal with Intrusive Thoughts

S No.

do not index

ready to publish

backlinks

https://telegra.ph/More-On-Driving-Anxiety---Scared-While-Driving-05-05https://uchatoo.com/post/491271_https-www-being-app-blog-overcoming-driving-anxiety-how-to-deal-with-intrusive-t.htmlhttps://blogfreely.net/fenderopen91/panic-attack-symptomshttps://squareblogs.net/fearbrace34/stress-got-you-inside-the-edgehttps://postheaven.net/denspain51/anxiety-self-help-books-what-an-individual-before-you-purchasehttps://zenwriting.net/formatsex97/use-your-imagination-to-ease-feelings-of-hysteriahttps://lundbergschwa.livejournal.com/profilehttps://writeablog.net/mindniece08/learn-the-main-points-anxiety-attack-is-a-crippling-force

content score ss

# of words

1300

publish date

Apr 2, 2022

✨POV✨: it's like the minute the keys are in the ignition, everything around feels like a distant concept except for thoughts in our head going: can I even drive?

Look at your driver's license.

See - this means you can drive.

So obviously it's something else that's the underlying problem here.

It's the thing going on in our minds that's got us losing control before we even hit the second gear.

Our thoughts.

But these are more than just thoughts - these are borderline disturbing thoughts that are contributing to our driving phobia.

But did you know these are intrusive thoughts stem from anxiety?

Driving anxiety and other symptoms of anxiety disorders 🥶

So there are two ways to look at this.

If you're anxious to drive - that's valid.

It's normal to have driving-related anxiety.

Like, if you have relevant experience driving, you already know the anxiety that comes with other drivers and road rage.

There are a lot of feelings of stress and worry at every intersection and highway during rush hour - which doesn't necessarily reflect a negative impact on our ability to drive or think.

Buuut, if those anxious thoughts were obsessive thoughts or unwanted thoughts about, say, running over someone or driving past the red light and crashing onto - you'd probably avoid driving.

You can't seem to stop intrusive thoughts from turning into something you obsess about.

It basically starts affecting your mental health.

This is can be indicative of an anxiety disorder.

How to tell?

Well, for starters the classic driving anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorder symptoms are intrusive thoughts.

This is also a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a type of anxiety disorder.

Another symptom for those who experience anxiety before or while driving is flashbacks that cloud judgment and trigger anxiety.

Your intrusive thoughts may remind you of a previous road or car incident (maybe involving you or a family member) that the mere thought of it fills you with numbing fear and stress.

This can be indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder.

This isn't just fear or feelings of worry that one can accept and continue driving.

These thoughts of fear can then develop a pattern of absent-mindedness which can be pretty tough to shake off. And at times this can even lead to panic attacks. (Panic attacks also indicate a mental health disorder.)

So regardless of where your driving-related anxiety disorders (or anxiety symptoms) stem from, these obsessive thoughts (or junk thoughts, hehe) need to stop getting in the way of us and our car and our plans and yes - our mental health.

Getting rid of driving anxiety for your mental health 🥰

Now we know what could be behind our intrusive thoughts - we know we definitely don't want to completely avoid driving out of our persistent driving anxiety.

But we also want to stop experiencing intrusive thoughts that have the potential to even lead to a panic attack.

So, how do we get rid of these intrusive thoughts?

The recommended way to unlearn our fear patterns and intrusive thought processes is with the help of a therapist or mental health professional.

Whatever the intrusive thoughts or unwanted thoughts are - our driving anxiety can be overcome with the help of a tool called cognitive behavioral therapy.

This tool basically helps us to be aware of our negative thoughts or intrusive thoughts and replace them with what the reality is.

Then there are other DIY ways to handle the unwelcome thought or disturbing thought process that comes with driving anxiety.

⌚️ Prep yourself

It's not so easy to drive around especially longer or new routes with this driving anxiety we live with.

This is why it's on us to take charge of these intrusive thoughts to overcome them.

How?

First by accepting the fact that these are mere intrusive thoughts stemming from anxiety and not what the reality is.

🌬 Remember this breathing relaxation technique: 5 ~ 3 ~ 7

(This helps boost endorphins which are chemicals that calm our mind and body!)

Breathe in and count to 5.

Hold it in and count to 3.

Then, release to the count of 7.

🚏 Map the route

Even if it's a known route, turn on the GPS.

This will help as reassurance that can shut down those intrusive thoughts.

Think just a step ahead - the next traffic stop, the next turn.

This can also be a way to snap you back to reality from what those intrusive thoughts are telling you.

🚘 Drive around familiar blocks

Over and over again.

Or if you have trusted a friend with how your intrusive thoughts give you driving anxiety - make it a fun drive with them. For comfort.

To conclude 🤗

Your intrusive thought does not mean you are a "bad person" for thinking it.

It just means that our thoughts need to process anxiety differently.

We need to talk to ourselves differently to develop patience and self-compassion while dealing with these anxious thoughts.

So, regardless of what the intrusive thought may be, the first step toward overcoming the control it has on us is by accepting intrusive thoughts as they are.

While one way to do that is with the guidance of a therapist, you could also give being a shot. It is the world's first-of-a-kind self-therapy app. Check out their mini therapies on anxiety designed by mental health specialists! (This can be one of the types of relaxation techniques!)

Challenge your intrusive thoughts - it might surprise you!

You can read Overcoming Driving Anxiety: How to Deal with Intrusive Thoughts to know more!

Disclaimer

Self-therapy is not a substitute for professional treatment of anxiety or any kind of mental health disorder. Regardless of what's contributing to your mental illness - intrusive thoughts, stress, or panic attack - the nearest mental health professional is just a google search away!