How to get over my severe fear of driving?

Hi. First, I am so sorry to hear that this has been your experience. It's hard to feel those physical reactions in your body. Feeling out of control of your body reactions with something like driving, can enhance anxiety and make it hard to focus in other parts of your day too. Once those physical reactions become associated with driving, it can feel harder and harder to get them to stop. I am glad you reached out to ask this question. To manage this, is a process. I would encourage you to work with a therapist who has an understanding of trauma, as the reaction you are feeling in your body is resulting from an internal trauma experience. Are you aware of any particular trauma that connects with this? Sometimes it is obvious (like a car accident), sometimes it is not so obvious (like a connection with something that happened to someone you loved, for example). Working with a trauma therapist will help you to assess and address the brain response that's leading to this reaction, and over time, you can train your brain to rewire this. Brainspotting is a technique that I use with some clients who have experienced trauma, and it is helpful. You can find our more about brainspotting at brainspotting.com. Another option is EMDR (eye movement and de-sensitivation therapy), which I do not do, but therapists who are trained in EMDR are typically trauma informed and they list this as part of their credentials and speciality. As far as things that you may be able to begin to implement on your own, you could begin with the following, but only if it feels safe for you to do.: Talk to yourself with compassion: For example, "It's okay that this is hard for me. My brain is just worried about protecting me. I'm glad I have a brain that wants to protect me. I'm a capable person, and I am allowed to feel scared" Set a small incremental goal, each day/week, and only expect to work towards that one small goal that day/week: For example, "I'm going to get in the car today/this week" "Today/this week I'm going to turn the car on and put my foot on the pedal" "Today, I am just going to drive to the end of my block" "Today/this week I am going to ask a friend to sit in the car with me..." Celebrate every small incremental movement you make. Every single one of them matters, because every single one of them adds up together, to help move you towards your ultimate goal of driving. Take your time and offer yourself some love, patience and compassion.