I've been driving for almost 10 years

I've been driving for almost 10 years. Recently I have developed a fear of driving, and I don't understand why. How can I help myself overcome the fear? I can't make specific recommendations without talking with you personally and obtaining more information about your fear. But I'll mention some possibilities which you can pursue or discard as you deem appropriate. If a client came to me with a similar problem, I'd want to know more about the circumstances surrounding the development of the fear, as those might influence the treatment. Even though you don't understand why your fear has developed, I'd recommend spending some time trying to examine possible causes. One benefit of consulting with a therapist is that someone else can often provide a different perspective than our own.

1. Friends or family, of course, can also serve that purpose.
2. Sometimes we don't notice something about ourselves or our circumstances, or make certain connections, until someone else points us in the right direction.

1. For instance, could your fear have developed after you or someone you know had a car accident? Or perhaps you could have reached the age that someone else (such as an older relative) was when he or she was in an accident, and be unconsciously harboring the fear that you will suffer a similar fate? Another possibility might be that your eyesight has changed, making it more difficult to see while you're driving, or that your reaction time has slowed, or that you have been experiencing dizziness or other symptoms that affect your ability to drive.
2. If you're experiencing any physical symptoms or changes, I'd recommend your seeing a physician for a medical evaluation or eye exam.
3. I also would want to know what, exactly, it is about driving you're afraid of.

Is it all or any kind of driving? Driving while alone? Driving at night? Driving on busy streets? You could also try to desensitize yourself to your fear(s) by gradually exposing yourself to the feared activity, step by step in small increments, until you feel you've conquered it. (In such approaches it helps to use relaxation techniques to calm oneself before and, if necessary, after each step and to make sure the steps are small enough that any anxiety is manageable. ) I hope this gives you some avenues and options to consider for self-help. But do consider seeking professional help if your problem continues. There's no shame in using a professional's skills and input when warranted. Good luck.
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