Soaring Gas Prices Worsens Fear of Driving

As gas prices rise, it doesn't only effect the price we pay at the pump, but is making it more difficult for people with a fear of driving to overcome their phobia. According to www.fearofdriving.net, there's been a dramatic increase in the number of comments from individuals who are curtailing their driving practice due to high gas prices. The continued avoidance perpetuates and worsens an already difficult situation.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) May 8, 2008 -- The fear of driving can stem from many sources, but one of the major steps in recovering from the debilitating phobia involves frequent practice driving sessions or increasing distance as a means to practice new skills and gradually desensitizing to the fear.

"I've never before had a client comment that they wouldn't practice their driving due to the cost of gas. As much as a fear of driving affects a person's life, it says a lot when the cost of fuel is prohibitive to recovery." says Rich Presta, author of the Driving Fear Program at http://www.DrivingFear.com, one of the foremost authorities on driving anxiety.

As the cost of fuel continues to climb, alternative methods of treatment for driving anxiety may become necessary. Virtual reality training is already in use for other fears and may be also incorporated into the treatment of driving phobia, but it is hard to say if the increased cost of that technique would outweigh the price of gas.

Some programs also focus on mental imagery as a means of replicating driving practice that has been shown to be extremely effective. Nonetheless, real road practice is a requirement for any therapeutic approach to be successful.

At http://www.fearofdriving.net visitors can read articles to aid them in understanding and overcoming their fear of driving, as well as read detailed reviews of self-help programs that can be used to help recover from their phobia.

###