Driving Anxiety And Driving Exposure (Podcast Ep 315)

Driving anxiety affects millions of people, making what should be routine trips feel overwhelming. In this episode, I break down how exposure therapy really works for driving anxiety - and why most people misunderstand it. Learn why the FEELING is the exposure, not the driving itself. Discover how you can work on driving anxiety without even getting in a car using interoceptive and imaginal exposures. I explain why pulling over when anxious isn't "failing" at exposure, what true avoidance actually looks like, and why the distance you drive matters less than what you learn from each experience. Whether you experience anxiety just holding your car keys, sitting in your driveway, or on the highway, this episode offers practical strategies based on empirically supported approaches to anxiety disorders. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to driving anxiety 02:45 Different types of driving anxiety 08:30 Is driving your only anxiety trigger? 12:15 The feeling is the exposure, not the driving 16:40 Ways to practice without driving 21:10 What isn't avoidance 26:35 The learning component 31:20 Small steps count 🔗 FOR SHOW NOTES ON THIS EPISODE: https://theanxioustruth.com/315 DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a replacement for professional mental health treatment. If you're struggling with severe anxiety, please consult with a qualified mental health professional. -- 🎓 ANXIETY COURSES AND WORKSHOPS https://learn.theanxioustruth.com 📚 MY BOOKS: https://theanxioustruth.com/books 🔗 ALL MY SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER LINKS: https://theanxioustruth.com/links 💜 SUPPORT MY WORK - BOOKS, WORKSHOPS, COURSES, AND MERCHANDISE: https://theanxioustruth.com/support ℹ️ WHO AM I? https://theanxioustruth.com/about ❓ WANT TO ASK ME A QUESTION? https://theanxioustruth.com/ask/ 🎵 Music Used on My Podcast: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission) https://bendrakemusic.com