There are many reasons why someone with a license might avoid driving. Indeed, many reasons why the freedom of the open road would be less conspicuous to a driver than the reality of the presence of unpredictable drivers on the road, and the sheer responsibility of being in control, leading to a fear that wasn't there during driving lessons.They include negative past experiences with other drivers, a lack of confidence in one’s skills, or even a general anxiety about being in control. These reasons, which have been explored in one of the previous parts of this series, ultimately leave people with a valid license that continually gathers dust in wallets and a lingering feeling of "what if?"
Read moreOvercoming the Fear of Driving: A 5-Part Series on Beating Your Fear of Driving Part 3: Understanding the Interplay between OCD, Negative Thinking, and Fear of Driving
The fear of driving is often isn't just about a specific situation, like merging onto a highway. It can be fueled by a cycle of negativity and obsessive anxieties, often linked to OCD. Thankfully, manifestations of negative thinking, OCD, and their relationship to the fear of driving are not beyond the curative power of our potent therapeutic trio - Hypnosis, NLP, and TLT. But before we consider how these therapies can help, let’s beam some expository light on how the three elements of negative thinking, OCD, and the fear of driving intertwine.
Read moreOvercoming the Fear of Driving: A 5-Part Series on Beating Your Fear of Driving Part 2: Confronting Phobic Responses: Harnessing Hypnosis, NLP, and Time Line Therapy® for Fear of Driving
Does the thought of merging into traffic trigger a fight-or-flight response that rivals a Hollywood car chase? You're not alone. Millions face a fear of driving, a phobia that can screech to a halt any dreams of independence. A fear of driving throws a wrench into daily life, limiting independence, career options, and even social activities. Many with this anxiety, often rooted in past negative experiences, a general fear of losing control, or a likely claustrophobia triggered by the enclosed space of a car.
Read moreAlcohol Addiction and Dependency. (Article 5 of 5.)
Research has shown that many people use alcohol to escape from stress and anxiety. In fact, it is well known that alcohol actually causes more stress in the short and long term. Although alcohol has the power to calm you down and make you feel more relaxed in the moment, it is medically classified as a depressant, because it slows down your brain, and changes the way you think, feel and act. Studies have indicated that alcohol may act as a negative enforcer to increase stress and anxiety. However, alcohol can also be a positive enforcer that eliminates unpleasant experiences or bad memories for a short time.
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