Being involved in a serious car accident can have lasting effects that go beyond physical injury. Your mental well-being can suffer too — leading to driving anxiety or even a fear of driving. These are real conditions that stem from the trauma of an accident. If you notice a sudden fear of driving or experience driving anxiety, don’t dismiss these feelings. You may be able to collect damages to help you overcome the trauma.
The aftermath of a car accident and your mental health
There are certain diagnosable mental health conditions you could experience after the trauma of a car accident.
Amaxophobia is a fear of driving, but it can also mean you get anxious even as a passenger in a vehicle. In extreme cases, even the thought of being in a vehicle can cause anxiety. This condition can make it hard for people to work, travel, and even perform everyday tasks like running errands or going out to dinner.
The anxiety is a result of the fear of being injured or killed in a car accident, which may develop as a result of being in an accident or seeing a loved one injured or killed in an accident themselves.
With a wide variety of symptoms, people with amaxophobia can experience chills, dizziness, excessive sweating, racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, nausea or indigestion, and trembling or shaking. Most medical professionals will refer you to a psychologist for a diagnosis if you have symptoms like these that are directly connected to thoughts of driving or being in a car.
Vehophobia is an intense and often debilitating fear of driving, but it usually only occurs in certain situations rather than every time you’re in the car. Symptoms are similar to amaxophobia, with panic attacks, extreme anxiety, and a deep sense of dread being the most common experience with vehophobia.
Some people only experience symptoms when they’re driving along the same route where a previous accident occurred. Others have issues at high speeds or when they’re a passenger rather than the driver. Whatever the trigger, the intense anxiety can make it challenging to drive or even ride in a car.
How to get over the fear of driving
Many people with fears related to driving may keep it to themselves or not even connect their anxiety with being in a car. However, conditions like these can benefit from treatment.
For some, exposure therapy can help people overcome driving anxiety. This treatment option is done under the supervision of a mental health professional. You’ll learn techniques to help you stay calm first. You’ll then utilize those skills while being exposed to specific situations involving vehicles that usually trigger your symptoms. This can include looking at images, sitting in a car, or actually driving it. Sometimes virtual reality is used to provide exposure in a safe environment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is another treatment option that could help you overcome driving anxiety. It’s especially helpful because it teaches you to change your perception about driving or being in a car. For example, instead of looking at past trauma from the perspective of how you or someone else got hurt, you look at it as something you survived and overcame. Using a variety of tools to reevaluate how you look at the situation that triggered your fear of driving, you may be able to train your brain to approach cars and driving with less anxiety.
Along with these treatment processes, you may also be prescribed anti-anxiety medications to help you manage your symptoms and make driving possible.
Legal support for all car accident injuries
If you develop a sudden fear of driving after an accident, the impact can severely compromise your quality of life. Panic attacks can be debilitating, and you may struggle with leaving your home for everyday activities. Even if properly diagnosed, treatment can be a lengthy, costly process, and it may take time before you’re able to return to your everyday life.
You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Contact the legal team at Watson Injury Law to understand your options for collecting compensation for your condition. Our dedicated team can help you get the damages you deserve to pay for any accident-related medical expenses — whether injuries are physical, like a broken bone, or connected to your mental health. Schedule a free consultation now to get the customized support you need to find peace of mind.