The familiar weight of car keys in your hand suddenly feels different after experiencing driving anxiety. What was once a simple daily task – commuting to work, picking up groceries, or visiting friends – can become a complex emotional challenge.
In British Columbia, thousands of individuals navigate this experience each year, particularly after car accidents. The good news? You can get help!
What Is Driving Anxiety
Driving anxiety is an intense fear response that goes far beyond everyday driving concerns. It can manifest as overwhelming anxiety symptoms, both physical and emotional, from panic attacks and racing thoughts to dizziness, nausea, and difficulty concentrating.
Without proper support, this anxiety often extends beyond your time on the road, impacting your social connections, career opportunities, and overall sense of independence.
What we’re seeing is an intense fear response that significantly impacts a person’s ability to drive or even contemplate getting behind the wheel,” explains Pareen Sehat, MC, RCC, leading trauma specialist at Well Beings Counselling. “This anxiety creates real physiological and emotional responses that can feel overwhelming.”
How Does It Affect Daily Life?
For many British Columbians, fear of driving manifests through physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, or trembling hands when approaching their vehicle. These physical reactions often accompany emotional responses such as persistent worry about potential accidents, intrusive thoughts about past driving experiences, or an overwhelming sense of losing control.
Simple tasks like commuting to work or driving children to school become challenging hurdles. Some individuals find themselves:
- Taking longer routes to avoid highways or busy intersections
- Cancelling social plans that require driving
- Limiting career opportunities due to transportation constraints
- Experiencing increased stress when alternative transportation isn’t readily available
What sets these triggers apart from typical driving concerns is their persistent nature and the degree to which they disrupt daily functioning. While most drivers occasionally feel nervous in challenging conditions like heavy storms or dense traffic, driving anxiety creates significant distress even in ideal driving conditions.
| Type of Response | Common Manifestations | Impact on Daily Life |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Symptoms |
| These physical reactions can make it difficult to focus on driving tasks and may intensify feelings of anxiety. |
| Emotional Responses |
| These emotional reactions can lead to increased avoidance behaviour and impact overall confidence. |
| Behavioural Changes |
| These adaptations can significantly restrict personal and professional opportunities. |
Understanding Car Accident Trauma and Mental Health
The psychological impact of a car accident often extends far beyond the initial shock. For many British Columbians, what begins as a natural stress response can develop into more persistent anxiety or trauma-related symptoms and driving phobia. T
“After a car accident, the mind and body create protective responses that can linger long after the physical injuries heal,” notes Pareen Sehat, MC, RCC. “These responses serve as the brain’s way of keeping us safe, even though they may feel overwhelming or disruptive to daily life.”
Common post-accident psychological symptoms include:
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the accident
- Heightened alertness to potential driving dangers
- Sleep disturbances or nightmares
- Physical tension when thinking about driving
- Strong desire to avoid specific routes or driving conditions
While some individuals might focus primarily on healing physical injuries, addressing the psychological impact is equally important for complete recovery. This understanding has led ICBC to include comprehensive mental health support in its coverage, recognizing that emotional well-being plays a decisive role in recovery.
If you’re experiencing any of these reactions following an accident, know that professional support is readily available and covered through ICBC’s Enhanced Care program. You don’t need to wait for symptoms to become severe before seeking help. Early intervention often leads to more effective recovery outcomes.
Available Support Through ICBC Enhanced Care
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Under ICBC’s Enhanced Care program, British Columbians have access to comprehensive mental health support following a motor vehicle accident, regardless of who was at fault. This “no-fault” model ensures everyone receives the care they need to recover physically and emotionally.
Within the first 12 weeks after an accident, you’re entitled to:
- Up to 12 counselling sessions, with coverage of $140 per session
- Direct billing options through registered providers
- Access to care without requiring a doctor’s referral
- Additional coverage if more support is needed beyond the initial period
“The first few months after an accident are crucial for addressing trauma responses,” explains our clinical counselling team. “ICBC’s coverage allows you to focus on your recovery without the added stress of financial concerns.”
If you find yourself needing support beyond the initial 12-week period, don’t worry. Extended coverage is available with proper documentation and support from your healthcare team. The key is starting your ICBC counselling journey early, allowing your therapist to assess your needs and advocate for continued care if necessary.
At Well Beings Counselling, we understand navigating insurance coverage can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with anxiety. Our team is here to help simplify the process, working directly with ICBC to ensure you can focus entirely on your recovery journey.
Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
Recovery from driving anxiety is a journey unique to each person, but research shows several therapeutic approaches consistently help people regain their confidence behind the wheel. At Well Beings Counselling, we integrate various evidence-based methods to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses both the immediate symptoms and underlying causes of driving anxiety.
“Effective treatment for driving anxiety often combines different therapeutic approaches,” shares Pareen Sehat, MC, RCC. “We focus on helping clients understand their anxiety responses while building practical skills for managing these reactions when they arise.”
Key therapeutic approaches include:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
This powerful approach helps process traumatic memories associated with driving experiences. Through bilateral stimulation techniques, EMDR can help reduce the emotional intensity of accident-related memories and build new, more adaptive responses to driving situations.
Somatic Therapy
By focusing on the connection between mind and body, somatic therapy helps you recognize and release physical tension patterns that contribute to driving anxiety. This approach is efficient for addressing the physical symptoms often accompanying driving-related stress.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
This evidence-based approach helps you identify and transform anxious thoughts about driving into more balanced perspectives. CBT provides practical tools for challenging negative thought patterns and developing healthier responses to driving situations. It’s particularly effective for addressing the “what-if” thinking and catastrophic predictions that often fuel driving anxiety.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions
Mindfulness is a powerful mental training practice focusing on the present moment without judgment. It combines breath awareness, body scanning, and thought observation to create a state of calm alertness. Through regular practice, individuals learn to observe their thoughts and feelings without becoming overwhelmed, creating a buffer between stimulus and response.
Key Benefits:
- Reduces anxiety and stress levels
- Improves emotional regulation
- Enhances focus and concentration
- Decreases rumination and overthinking
- Promotes better sleep quality
- Strengthens resilience to challenges
- Boosts self-awareness
- Lowers blood pressure
- Supports better decision-making
What is the difference between driving anxiety and phobia?
While driving anxiety and driving phobia (amaxophobia) share some common features, they differ in important ways. “Understanding this distinction helps us provide more targeted and effective support,” explains Pareen Sehat, MC, RCC, Clinical Director at Well Beings Counselling.
Driving anxiety typically involves:
- Situational nervousness about specific driving scenarios
- Anxiety that fluctuates in intensity
- Ability to drive despite discomfort
- Gradual building of confidence with practice
- Management through coping strategies
Driving phobia, however, presents as:
- Intense, persistent fear of driving
- Immediate anxiety response to driving situations
- Complete or near-complete avoidance of driving
- Panic attacks at the thought of driving
- Need for specialized therapeutic intervention
Both conditions deserve professional support, but treatment approaches may differ based on severity and impact on daily life. The good news is that both respond well to evidence-based treatments, mainly when addressed early.
How can passengers help anxious drivers?
Passengers can play a crucial role in supporting someone experiencing driving anxiety. Our clinical team recommends these supportive strategies:
Before the Drive:
- Ask the driver about their specific concerns
- Validate their feelings without dismissing them
- Offer to help plan the route together
- Agree on helpful ways to communicate during the drive
During the Drive:
- Maintain calm, steady conversation if the driver finds it helpful
- Assist with navigation in a clear, timely manner
- Avoid sudden movements or loud exclamations
- Respect quiet if the driver needs to focus
- Help monitor traffic conditions when requested
Supporting Recovery:
- Celebrate small victories and progress
- Avoid comparing their driving to others
- Maintain patience with their pace of improvement
- Encourage professional support when needed
Building Your Recovery Plan
Creating a sustainable recovery plan involves more than just attending therapy sessions. It’s about building a comprehensive support system and developing practical strategies you can use daily. Let’s explore how you can create a foundation for lasting progress.
“Recovery isn’t just about overcoming anxiety—it’s about rebuilding your relationship with driving in a way that feels empowering and sustainable,” explains our clinical team. “This process takes time, and that’s perfectly normal.”
Essential Components of Your Recovery Journey:
Immediate Coping Strategies
- Practice grounding techniques before entering your vehicle
- Create a calming playlist for your drives
- Keep rescue breathing exercises handy
- Establish a pre-driving routine that helps you feel prepared
Professional Support Team
- Connect with a registered clinical counsellor who understands driving anxiety.
- Consider working with your family doctor for comprehensive care.
- Explore ICBC’s additional support services if needed.
Building Confidence Gradually
- Start with short drives in familiar areas
- Practice during quieter traffic times
- Gradually increase driving duration and complexity
- Celebrate small victories along the way
Remember, healing isn’t linear, and setbacks are a normal recovery process. What matters most is maintaining a compassionate approach to your progress while staying committed to your well-being.
Ready to take the first step? Our team of registered clinical counsellors specializes in helping individuals overcome driving anxiety. We offer in-person locations and online counselling options across British Columbia, working directly with ICBC to ensure seamless coverage for your recovery journey.
Contact us today for a free 15-minute consultation to learn how we can support your path to confident driving. Call 604-305-0104 or schedule your free consultation.
Sources
- Clapp et al. (2011) – Identified three distinct dimensions of problematic driving behavior: exaggerated safety/caution, anxiety-based performance deficits, and hostile/aggressive behaviors
- Taylor & Deane (2000) – Research suggesting driving anxiety is more pervasive than previously recognized
- Pavlidis et al. (2023) – Study finding anxious drivers had heart rates about five beats per minute higher than non-anxious drivers under similar conditions
- Barnard & Chapman (2018) – Research showing driving anxiety predicts anxiety-based performance deficits and exaggerated safety-cautious behaviors
- Nordfjaern & Rundmo (2013) – Study demonstrating correlation between anxiety levels and road traffic behaviors
- Przepiorka et al. (2020) – Research showing positive correlations between anxiety-based performance deficits and exaggerated safety/caution behaviors
- Taylor, Deane & Podd (2007) – Study on fear-related behaviors that may be considered reckless or dangerous among anxious drivers
- Ulleberg (2002) – Research on Norwegian motorists showing anxiety-related driving aggression is functionally detrimental
About Well Beings Counselling
At Well Beings Counselling, we believe in the transformative power of connection and self-compassion. Our therapeutic approach creates a warm, non-judgmental space where clients feel safe exploring their emotions and healing. We help individuals unlock their inherent capacity to grow and thrive across our in-office locations in British Columbia (Vancouver, Kelowna, Coquitlam, Burnaby) and Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa, London, Guelph).
Our highly qualified team includes Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) in BC and Registered Psychotherapists (RP) in Ontario, all holding advanced degrees from accredited institutions. Our practitioners maintain memberships with professional organizations, including the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), Canadian Counseling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), BC College of Social Workers, and Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. We specialize in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and more through a holistic, trauma-informed approach that incorporates mind, body, and nervous system healing.
Meet our team of counsellors and psychotherapists in person across BC and ON, or connect with us online for virtual counselling. Complete our New Client Inquiry form to get matched with a therapist today.
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Pareen Sehat MC, RCC
Pareen’s career began in Behaviour Therapy, this is where she developed a passion for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches. Following a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology she pursued a Master of Counselling. Pareen is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. She specializes in CBT and Lifespan Integrations approaches to anxiety and trauma. She has been published on major online publications such as - Yahoo, MSN, AskMen, PsychCentral, Best Life Online, and more.
