Its not uncommon for us to occasionally have irrational fears around things we once found ordinary. Fortunately this is one of the more easily treatable syndromes. But it is important to do the work early. People have a tendancy to reiforce and fortify their arguments against those around them that try to pursuade them that "its all in their head".
---- The Question: ----
How can i get over the fear of being hit by a drunk driver when i'm driving?
---- My Answer: ----
Fear is a natural self-protective emotion that keeps us safe from dangerous situations. Fear of heights keeps you from casually walking along edges of cliffs. Fear of spiders and snakes keeps you from putting yourself in harms way by sticking your hand in dark holes you can't see into.
Fear is also based on past experience. If you were in the past hit by or lost a loved one to a drunk driver, then it is perfectly understandable that you may have developed the kind of fear you are describing, and dread of being back in a vulnerable position behind the wheel on the road.
The best way to overcome fear based on past experience is to 1) finish your grief work around the trauma in the past, and 2) educate yourself about the true statistics and chances of this kind of event happening again.
Once you have cried over, and ultimately accepted the awful truth of the terrible events you experienced around this from your own past, you can look more rationally at the chances of such a thing happening again. In the end, you will probably come to the conclusion that life is a gift, and to fully experience this gift you must take reasonable chances and not allow anyone or anything to paralyze you with fear.
When you are ready to try again, find someone who is understanding of what you've been through and supportive and respectful of your feelings and limits. Have this person accompany you on short trips, and talk about what the experience felt like afterward. Continue your grief work if necessary. Repeat until your comfort level with driving returns to an acceptable level.
Fear is also based on past experience. If you were in the past hit by or lost a loved one to a drunk driver, then it is perfectly understandable that you may have developed the kind of fear you are describing, and dread of being back in a vulnerable position behind the wheel on the road.
The best way to overcome fear based on past experience is to 1) finish your grief work around the trauma in the past, and 2) educate yourself about the true statistics and chances of this kind of event happening again.
Once you have cried over, and ultimately accepted the awful truth of the terrible events you experienced around this from your own past, you can look more rationally at the chances of such a thing happening again. In the end, you will probably come to the conclusion that life is a gift, and to fully experience this gift you must take reasonable chances and not allow anyone or anything to paralyze you with fear.
When you are ready to try again, find someone who is understanding of what you've been through and supportive and respectful of your feelings and limits. Have this person accompany you on short trips, and talk about what the experience felt like afterward. Continue your grief work if necessary. Repeat until your comfort level with driving returns to an acceptable level.
[ Original thread: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090626201010AAtpXtd& ]
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