"Putting the breaks on" - Fear of driving

One of the most essential things that we need for our day-to-day lives is the use of a car. We need a vehicle for a variety of different purposes: going to see friends, going to work, doing the shopping etc. It can therefore be a very scary thing when you have a fear of getting in your car, as it can seem that you are cut off from the activities that matter to you the most; and this makes driving anxieties one of the most prevalent phobias of our time.

There are many different reasons why people develop anxiety or a phobia around driving; some reasons could be:

• Being scared of failing the practical driving test.
• Not being a confident driver. I.e. forgetting that they are a good/safe driver.
• Worried about other drivers - either causing them injury, or being injured by their recklessness.
• Fear of becoming involved in an accident.
• Fear of the destination - not wanting to go to that specific place.
• The weather - driving in ice, snow or thick fog.
• Not having driven for a while and having to go back on the road.

Hypnosis is an absolutely invaluable tool in allowing yourself to break this unhelpful thinking, and giving you the confidence and ability to get behind the wheel again. Hypnosis offers the opportunity to break the patterns of unhelpful thinking that is holding you down.

The process induces a positive relaxed state of mind, which will allow you to rediscover that inner confidence that you have. This is done with gentle and encouraging techniques such as positive affirmations, stress management, and systematic desensitisation (gradually exposing you to your anxieties in a safe and controlled manner). These are very sophisticated and powerful techniques that can be offered within a session. They can be very effective and when they are transposed onto a CD/MP3 so your confidence can evolve after the session. You will then gain additional benefits and continue to be supported throughout your hypnotic experience.

Hypnosis has the benefits of creating a safe environment in which you can explore your own personal issues and come to terms with them; therefore, making hypnosis one of the most effective treatments when it comes to treating driving related anxieties and other phobias.

This can allow you to regain confidence on the road, remember all those specific teachings that you have learnt and put them into a safe practice. By accomplishing this you will have dispelled the anxiety that has held you back. By bringing your inner confidence to the surface, you will instinctively regain control of your anxiety, putting you back in the driving seat.