Vehophobia, better known as the fear of driving, is a real condition that can severely impact a person’s independence. People with vehophobia may have been involved in an auto accident that resulted in serious injuries or death. It’s also possible to develop a clinical aversion to driving by witnessing or hearing about catastrophic crashes.
Whatever the reason, being unable to drive — or in some cases even ride as a passenger — can make it difficult to attend school, hold down a job, or take care of basic tasks like going to the grocery store. Vehophobia can leave a person feeling isolated and depressed. Fortunately, there’s hope.
Is Vehophobia A Fear Of Car Crashes?
All phobias are a type of anxiety disorder. According to the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition” (DSM-5), vehophobia is included in the group known as “specific phobia.”
Vehophobia is more than just a phobia of car crashes. Concerns about an accident can cause someone to develop this condition, but so can a general fear of being behind the wheel or losing control while driving. Some of the symptoms of vehophobia include:
- Anxiety related to driving or being in a vehicle
- Panic attacks, including rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea
- Avoidance, walking, or taking public transportation, even when it’s inconvenient
- Frequent negative obsessive thinking about accidents or an inability to get out of a car in an emergency
- An inability to focus on driving because of intrusive thoughts
Fear of driving can be a complex issue. Someone who experiences panic attacks related to other factors could develop vehophobia because they’re worried about having a panic attack while driving. A lack of confidence in their driving skills could also cause vehophobia.
People with driving PTSD can also develop this phobia. Driving PTSD may arise after involvement in a serious accident. The individual might have flashbacks and develop anxiety that’s specifically related to operating or being in a vehicle.
Treatment For Vehophobia
Vehophobia is rare, as are true phobias in general — only around 10% of people in the U.S. meet the diagnostic criteria for a specific phobia. Fortunately, the fear of driving and other phobias can be overcome with support and the right medical treatments.
Treatment begins with the correct diagnosis. If you experience any of the symptoms of vehophobia, speak with your medical provider. They’ll ask you to fill out a questionnaire that’s designed to diagnose phobias. Treatment may include a combination of psychotherapy techniques and medications.
Psychotherapy can help people develop the coping skills they need to recover emotionally and mentally after a life-changing accident involving catastrophic injuries. Medications can directly treat some of the symptoms related to vehophobia, such as depression and anxiety.
If you suspect you have vehophobia, seek medical support as soon as possible. One phobia can create a host of additional problems. For example, the fear of driving can lead to the fear of leaving home (agoraphobia), and staying home all the time could lead to a fear of people (anthropophobia).
Early treatment may decrease the severity of vehophobia and prevent further harm to your mental health.
Contact A Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer At De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers For Legal Help
The financial strain of vehophobia can be devastating. The condition may prevent a person from working, and the costs of treatment can quickly add up. If you or someone you care about has developed a fear of driving or being in a vehicle after surviving a car or truck accident, they may be entitled to financial compensation.
Consulting a knowledgeable Las Vegas personal injury attorney is the best way to learn about your rights. Although vehophobia is rare, it can be devastating for those affected. Fortunately, it and other phobias are treatable. You don’t have to let a fear of driving take over your life.
Call De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Las Vegas Office
1149 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV. 89104
(702) 718-3632
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Summerlin Office
410 S Rampart Blvd, Ste 480 Las Vegas, NV. 89145
(702) 297-6373
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Henderson Office
9555 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV. 89123
(702) 997-4264
