This is a topic I have wanted to touch on for a
long time. There are so many people that deal
with this fear on a day to day basis. Hodophobia is the fear of travelling. Unable to
travel out, take vacations, or just drive to
another city a few miles away.
The physical symptoms that come with the fear of
travelling and anxiety in combination can be
overwhelming, and frustrating, making it
impossible to travel anywhere, or do normal
everyday activities or daily tasks.
I would like to begin by talking about a fear that I
had, which was personally very hard, was the fear
of travelling by car or "travel anxiety". The
thought of being to far away from home was
terrifying for me. The second I was a certain
distance away from familiar territory, I lost it. All
the physical symptoms would come, shortness of
breath, feelings of loss of reality, sweaty palms,
racing heart, upset stomach. I would just feel
horrible until I reached my destination.
Once I reached my destination, and became
familiar, and relaxed where I was, the anxiety
would begin to loosen it's grip and I would begin
to feel better. But, not completely. The panic and
anxiety was always just seconds away at any
given time. Please know that any trip I could not
do alone, or I would really be overwhelmed with
fear and panic. I always had to be accompanied
by someone.
This is just a horrible feeling. I was scared, but at
the same time so disappointed, and frustrated
that I was feeling this way, and everyone else was
ok. I was scared, and worried of the fact that I
wasn't going to be able to live a normal life for
myself. I remember thinking, "How in
the world am I going to be able to go to places I've never been before, take for example, victoria island in lagos or
my dream of going to the U.S, when I feel so crazy?" I may
never be able to see anything the world has to
offer, except for this kaduna which I kinda find boring.
I learned that there is a
way to overcome this! I want to
share with you some tiny steps you can do that
may help you with your fears of travelling.
1. Once you leave home, you need to remember
your safe place. Remember that you were fine
there, and nothing has changed from that point
to where you are now.
2. If you are not driving, relax, kick your feet up
and enjoy the scenery. Set your mind free of any
negative thoughts, and look around at the
positive.
3. Always have a relaxation tape or cd with you so
you can play it at anytime. You should also have
with you a breathing technique. At the first sign
of any tension, listen and breath.
4. Try to recognise and to affirm to
yourself that it is just a behaviour. Yes, it is a very
uncomfortable and very inconvenient one but it
is, nevertheless, just a learned behaviour.
And what you have learned you can un-learn!
There is little value in wasting time and money
trying to discover the original cause of your fear
of car travel. This may satisfy your (or your
therapist’s) curiosity but it is not particularly
relevant to getting rid of the condition.
Now, as with all phobias, examine how you do it.
Yes, of course you don’t do it deliberately but you
do do it – even though the process occurs
automatically.
It is your brain, your body, and your emotions
that are involved – so you do it.
5. Personally, prayer helped me tremendously!
Whenever I feel discouraged or scared, I pray. For
some, this is not an option, but for many it is. No
matter who you believe in, carry a prayer with
you at all times.
Thanks for reading

You can share your views and ways in which to overcome it

Hmmm

Thanks for such an insightful read. Though my fear is slightly different as it is a fear of driving on the highway/freeway, I can relate to all the symptomps you mentioned. My fear developed after a traumatic birth experience.I went to see a psychologist but it didn't help. So I agree with you that the therapist will only use the info to satisfy their curiosity.