PSY A 23 – Driving Anxiety

Driving anxiety, also known as amaxophobia, is the fear of cars or driving in traffic. Drivers in particular suffer from this, and sometimes passengers as well. The fear refers to threatening imagined situations on the road, such as on the highway or when driving on unknown routes. Thoughts revolve around catastrophes; there is a fear of causing an accident, injuring or killing others. Sufferers react with violent physical symptoms when attempting to seek out such situations despite their fear. Therefore, they avoid the threatening situations. Eventually, even very innocuous situations are viewed with fear, such as residential streets, and driving is stopped altogether. Total avoidance leads to a loss of mobility, quality of life, and self- confidence. These severe forms of driving anxiety are also called driving phobia and are to be regarded as a disease with a corresponding need for therapy. The chip is intended to support therapy and help overcome driving anxiety.