How can I get over my anxiety or fear of driving on highways?

have you try driving with someone you truly trust? If not try it. You will feel more comfortable doing it maybe not at first try but you'll get a hang of it :) You can do it :)

it takes patience, and drive to want to be able to do something like that . No one else can have the urge to want it but you.

Hi, i am a psychology student, i dont have first hand experience but if your anxiety and/or fear of the highway is serious then try to look at Systematic desensitization. Its a behavioural technique used to treat fears and anxieties. It is a very good technique and can take from 4 to 6 lessons to completely rid the anxiety. If it is serious, it can take up to 12 lessons but its a very good technique.

I can get over my anxiety or fear of driving on highways by slowly taking a step further. For example the first time you'll go on a not so busy highway, and then you take a step further and go on a busier highway, and then you take another step further etc.

You have to face your fear. If you're 16 and you're at that age to get a permit, do it. Even if you're scared, afraid, or you just don't want to, just do it. And if you're over 16 and you don't have your permit, driver's license, etc., just do it. I know you'll succeed.

Consider taking a driving course, even if you're legally licensed, to gain skills and confidence.

Well its not easy getting over such.things easily so I suggest you to be calm while driving but in your favorite song and just go ahead with it! Don't worry if it doesn't happen.. Try and you shall succeed

Practice in small towns (: And have a friend with you, or maybe even your parent! Parents are supposed to be the best comforters (:

I honestly think that you should take someone with you, play your favorite song as you drive and just breath :) You can do it! I know that it can be super hard to get over a fear but just have faith in yourself! YOU CAN DO IT!! :)

Drive with a trained driver for your times on the highway. Otherwise just try and avoid the highway if it's very serious.

when i first got my drivers license i was so scared to even drive in my suburb. what i did was i started out on country roads, and over the next few weeks would move to more populated areas, then on to highways. the first time i drove on a highway i had someone with me who was more confident, told me tricks on how to drive safely.

I think a combination of things: first I think it's important to learn what drives your fear. Why are you scared? Did something particular happen or is it in certain situations? This can be useful information. Also, trying is key I guess. Go take a short drive at quiet times at first, with someone you trust next to you and build it up from there.

drown out the sound of the other cars by having you radio on! it always helps me. Also just breathe through it. I know it seems hard with all of the cars going a pretty decently fast speed around you, but just remember some people are just as nervous as you! cool air towards the throat and neck also help!

You could practice. At first a small part of a highway, with your close friends or parents. Then you can take bigger steps and drive a little longer. You don't have to feel safe, but defenitely not anxious

You can get over your anxiety, and or feal of driving on highways through exposure therapy. This means you put yourself in the situation, a very mild and safe situation, and work your way up to get through your fear.

Continue to drive on highways until you no longer have the fear of anxiety, you do it so much that you get used to it and become a better driver.

Have someone you trust ride with you untill you feel better about doing it by yourself than try doing it alone

Well Driving is related with dealing to emotions. Emotions need to be dealt. When you are in control you can control your life as well your steering as per the need. So I guess you need to keep calm and to focus on the Upcoming as well going with someone will always make you feel Secure and safe and Relaxed. Try to listen to Smoothening Music!

It would be a good idea to have someone in the car with you for positive support. This would help you to stay calm.

You need to conquer your fears try driving on like short highways and working your way up but don't go alone. have someone with you

Practice is the only way. It can take time, and maybe starting on a highway when traffic is very light, and building up to heavier traffic, but like anything else in life to overcome your anxiety and fear you must conquer it by doing.

Learn how to drive on highways. Then go on highways when there is a traffic jam so you could even walk. The more often you realize how to drive on highways the less fearful you will be.

Since highways have a minimum speed needed, you can get over your fear of it with baby steps: First, you can try going with that minimum speed in a street that you know and that isn't always filled with cars. Then, you can try to drive with that same speed on a street that has more cars, so you have to pay attention to other drivers and not only yourself. Going on crowded streets that have a lot of movement will help you to be prepared for any trip that involves highways. You can also put some music that makes you relax, or go with a friend that you feel confortable with, so you can be less nervous while driving. Good luck :)

There are many ways in which you could get over your anxiety and fear of driving on highways. Two routes that are popular amongst psychotherapy would be CBT(cognitive behavioral therapy) and ERP(exposure and response therapy). With the Cbt you will learn to shift your thoughts from anxiety provoking to less anxiety provoking. With ERP, you could expose yourself to the fear on a heirarchy. Meaning you could start by experiencing your fear at a low level, to eventually achieving your highest level of anxiety. For example you could start by sitting in the back seat of a car and viewing the highway and sitting with the negative feelings. Then next time you could sit in the passenger and sit with the anxious feelings. Then drive on the highway for one exit, then two, three, up to the point that the anxiety lowers when confronted with your fear. Two popular ways, both recommended to do with a therapist.

Walk around more often, perhaps try to walk more natural routes through forests or parks and avoid walking around at night.

They say that you are supposed to gradually expose yourself to the situation in which you feel fear or anxiety, whether or not they would work for you is up to you.

You can start by taking small steps and then take the courage to going on the highway. I completely understand your anxiety over driving on the highways, but remember take small steps.

The best way to get past an anxiety or fear is to expose yourself to it. You will likely want to do this in stages of increasing difficulty. I'd suggest starting with a driving instructor who can coach you while you drive. Another starting point could be to find a section of highway near you that has a couple of on-ramps that are close together. You could practice coming on and off the highway without having to spend too long on the highway itself, so you have a chance to recover before you try again.

A lot of people say that slowly acclimatising yourself to the fear is a good idea. So perhaps start off with asking someone else to drive you along the highway until you feel comfortable with that? Then start by taking a short trip yourself, with someone beside you who can take over if you get anxious? Then try making a short journey alone? These are just some ideas I have, but I can't give you advice on your situation, because only you know what is right for you!

Perhaps this fear comes from the phobia of dying on the highway, so I very direct way of proceeding with the anxiety is to address your fear of death first and foremost. And maybe try to remember that accidents are very rare unless there is alcohol involved.