by Richard C. Raynard, Ph.D.
Why would anyone drive in the gutter and blow out 4 sets of tires in a year? Or an accountant have to draw a map and take a picture of every new town he drove into? Or an oil truck driver chain himself to his steering wheel? Or a grandmother smuggle a miniature poodle within the large sleeves of her coat when she traveled by air?
It's PANIC - that overwhelming uproar in the body of heart racing, faint, nauseous, dizzy, choking, weak and more. It is the most common emotional disorder and the most hidden at the same time. And one study found that driving phobia was the most common of all phobias!
The explanation: the sensitivities of most phobics can be found in traffic, where you have crowding, no exits, being far from home, in unfamiliar places, high noise levels, being alone, and no one to help you.
Most phobics don't get much credence and cover up after getting little sympathy. "It's just anxiety, get over it," My survey of over 100 phobic clients showed the average time to seek psychological help from the first panic episode was 9 1/2 years!
Helen (pseudo) saw that driving as close to granite curbs and picking up glass, metal and all kinds of trash made no sense. But she felt rushed, crowded and not in control. She realized a blowout put her in worse trouble than before.
Progress was measured in inches as Helen gradually practiced more distance from the curb plus relaxation methods and worry control. Her very first practice was in an empty lot, learning to judge curbside distance, her husband following and encouraging. In a few weeks, using exposure therapy, she was driving normally with little concern.
One last irony: though very common and untreated, it is a well known condition and very treatable!
Get the word out, will you?
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
About Dr. Raynard
Dr. Richard Raynard is a licensed clinical psychologist with 35 years experience resolving a broad range of emotional problems. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist who has specialized in anxiety and phobic disorders since 1980, he has spent the last 35 years fulfilling his life-long desire to explore and define the true purpose of emotions and how people can easily use emotions to create meaning and satisfaction in their lives. Dr. Raynard's series of books on emotions can be found on Amazon.com. His other books include Don't Panic, and Anxiety & Panic Medications.
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