amaxophobia is a psychological disorder characterized by excessive and irrational fear of driving a vehicle In other cases, anxiety takes over the idea of running someone over, crashing the car, letting it die, etc.

In addition, individuals who suffer from this type of phobia also tend to be afraid of enclosed places. Because of excessive fear, some may not use seat belts, due to fear of being trapped inside the car should an accident happen.

According to Abramet (Brazilian Association of Traffic Medicine) about two million Brazilians cannot drive their vehicles because of fear and anxiety that they feel behind the wheel.

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Therefore, like other phobias, amaxophobia can impair the patient's quality of life.

Causes

The exact causes of amaxophobia are uncertain, but, according to experts, the disorder can arise as a result of negative experiences with driving, so traumatic situations, such as being in a car accident or witnessing an accident in person, can be a major factor in the development of the phobia.

Furthermore, stress caused by traffic implications, such as traffic jams, can also have an influence, because the brain absorbs the situation as a stimulus to develop panic.

How to identify amaxophobia

Most often, people with amaxophobia constantly seek perfection and become sensitive to criticism for fear of rejection. The most common symptoms that may arise include:

• Dry mouth;
• Sweating,
• Muscle tension;
• Increased heart rate;
• Headaches;
• Agitation;
• Tingling;
• Vertigo;
• Trembling at the thought of driving or being in a vehicle.

Treatment

In general, to treat any type of phobia, psychotherapy is indicated. Through sessions with a therapist, the individual understands how to better deal with the condition, until it is no longer a phobia.

Yet another alternative is to talk about fears in specialized groups for people who are already skilled but need help.

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