Feeling afraid of driving after having a baby is not uncommon and can be related to postpartum anxiety, in which it’s common to avoid certain activities or environments that you used to enjoy.
Postpartum anxiety goes beyond normal worry and pours into excessive worry. Normal worry doesn’t hold you back from completing everyday tasks, but anxiety can bring excessive worry that stops you from doing things – like driving.
Your hesitancy to get in the car and drive may be paired with other anxiety symptoms including:
Restlessness
Irritability
Racing or intrusive thoughts
Difficulty sleeping
Physical symptoms like heart palpitations and nausea
It is worth noting there is a specific fear of driving called amaxophobia. It’s thought that as many as 1/10 people will develop a specific phobia in their lives. This can be present in various contexts and not solely related to the postpartum period. It can feel like:
Uncomfortable or unable to be in a vehicle as a passenger
Only able to ride in a vehicle with someone of trust
Okay with public transportation on conditional terms, like the route needing to stay the same
Feeling panicked when getting into or thinking about getting into a vehicle
Avoidance of driving or extreme discomfort while driving
If some of these symptoms resonate with you, reach out to a professional. Driving anxiety can be managed and treated through various strategies, such as exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, and professional support.