COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY CASE STUDIES FEAR OF DRIVING The fear of driving, also known as driving phobia or driving anxiety, is a hyperbolic fear of driving or being in the seat of a passenger. This condition is more associated with women than men, and it starts majorly in the teen years. Most times, driving phobia is triggered by a road accident that is potentially life threatening. Something like a minor fender-bender can cause the buildup of solid, negative associations with anything that has to do with driving. For example, one may become way too worried or overcome by fear after a car crash. People who experience driving phobia have repetitious thought most of the time; like "what if the car in front of me should swerve?" or "I am going to crash". Thoughts like these can have negative …show more content…
Imaginal exposure has to do with presenting germane cues in imagery and describing the specifics of a set of events or an event. In vivo exposure can be used as behavioral experiments and homework tasks so as to minimize avoidance and raise the opportunity to educe mastery through making follow-ups that no real danger comes to life. In this case study, imaginal exposure was used during sessions, as well as anxiety management techniques and cognitive restructuring. Also, in vivo assignments was given to patients, in which the patients were expected to deal with certain issues on a regular basis without the help of the therapist; for instance, self-exposure to cars, returning to the scene of the accident and other cues that could provoke their anxiety. In vivo exposure was not given during treatment sessions (for instance, the therapist accompanying the patient while driving a vehicle). This was discouraged because of insurance and safety reasons. Treatment was given to patients in one hour sessions, weekly in most