Introduction

Tachophobia is also known as fear of speed or doing an activity too fast. This is quite a common fear and can have a negative impact on a person's daily life and the people around them. The person might be aware that the fear is irrational but still may be unable to control the fear while facing a situation. But this is manageable by continuous efforts from the individual's side with the help of a therapist.

Definition of Tachophobia

Tachophobia is the intense fear of speed. This can be related 

• To driving fast
• Anxiety related to travelling in fast-moving transport as a passenger or
• Being on a fast ride like a roller coaster
• Moving or walking at a high pace

Tachophobia is of Greek origin, ‘tachos’ means speed, and ‘phobia’ means fear.

Someone with tachophobia may find it virtually impossible to travel in a car, a boat, an airplane, a train, or virtually, any form of transportation that moves relatively fast. They can get scared of watching objects or an image or video that moves fast.

Their tachophobia may be deeply rooted in a lack of sense of control as they feel fast-moving objects are chaotic and unpredictable.

Anyone with this disorder may find day-to-day life to be quite difficult as they have to make decisions about their job, relocation, or home by giving preference to this condition.

Causes

The reasons behind this fear can be psychological, genetic, or environmental factors.

Psychological factors

Traumatic experiences or accidents involving speed or driving. It can be witnessing or experiencing an accident or other speed-related incidents. Also, associated with the fear of losing control while driving. Anxiety disorders or phobias related to control, safety, or specific driving situations (e.g. highways, tunnels).

Biological factors

Heredity or Genetics: Individuals with a personal or family history of anxiety phobias are common and it can be related to fear of speed. Also, Brain chemistry can be analyzed, during the diagnosis of tachophobia-related symptoms.

Symptoms 

As in the case of people with any type of phobia, someone with tachophobia expects to experience very intrusive anxiety when they are faced with their fear. The symptoms of tachophobia on sudden exposure to situations with speed can be physical symptoms or emotional symptoms or both can also be expected.

The person may avoid travel thinking about the train or other mode of transport with speed i.e. extreme avoidance of swift movement.

Unexpected exposure of a phobic person to race or action movies causes physical symptoms that include:

• Breathlessness
• Tachycardia (Increased heart rate)
• Dizziness
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Sweating and trembling 

These physical symptoms can make the caretaker aware of the abnormal behavior and they could help the patient to seek proper therapy for relieving the symptoms as well as treating the cause of fear.

Diagnosis of Tachophobia

There are no specific diagnostic methods for Tachophobia as such. Neurological tests can be done to know the changes in brain chemistry when a person is placed in a situation involving speed.

The diagnosis is made by mental health professionals such as psychiatrists or psychologists by comprehensive psychological evaluation. The diagnosis is based on multiple factors such as medical history,  family history of anxiety, and other symptoms. The Diagnostic criteria follow the diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5).

Treatment options

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is the best mode of treatment and is found to be effective. This includes Cognitive behavioural therapy, Exposure therapy, Hypnotherapy, and other supportive techniques like yoga and exercise.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT)

To challenge and reframe the situations related to the cause of fear. In this mode of treatment, therapists try to know the reason behind the fear and train the patient to manage the scenario step by step.

This includes identifying these negative thoughts and beliefs about speed, followed by minimal exposure to speed-related situations, relaxation techniques, and developing coping strategies for the management of anxiety about speed. So cognitive therapy is about gradually tackling the fear and overcoming the situations.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy begins with minimal exposure to speed such as riding a car followed by increased intensity of speed. Anxiety is managed by practising relaxation techniques.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy includes guided meditations and visualization sessions also empowering the person to face situations involving speed. 

Medications

Anti-anxiety medications help in preventing panic attacks related to anxiety. These medications are prescription drugs and are taken on a regular basis or as per the doctor's consultation. Anti-Anxiety medications include Benzodiazepines, Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin, among many others.

Beta-blockers help to reduce the symptoms of tachophobia like hypertension and tachycardia.

Coping strategies

• Relaxation techniques: Deep breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation help manage tachycardia, and improve overall wellbeing
• Gradual exposure to triggers can be initiated by virtual scenarios of speed similar to the exposure therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is found to be effective in people with anxiety disorders like tachophobia. The most followed technique of Dialectical behavioural therapy is “half-smile.” Also, support groups can help to cope with the fear effectively

Prognosis

Impact on daily life

The patient, with good support, through medications and by developing other skills for managing the fear, the rate of occurrence or effect of this fear can be under control. 

Long-term recovery possibilities: The recovery period may vary from a few months to a few years. This mainly depends upon several factors like 

• The type of anxiety disorder
• The therapy the person is undergoing
• The follow-up sessions the person is attending and
• The patient should never try to discontinue the therapy, or medication even though, the symptoms are subsiding

Prevention

Early intervention for anxiety disorders can only be made when the person, himself, or the people with them are patient enough to address the issue. Also giving importance to a healthy lifestyle including, 7 to 8 hours of sleep, following healthy food habits, and regular exercise. Most importantly connect with friends and family, and avoid having an isolated life.

Education and awareness campaigns should focus on the importance of mental wellness being as important as one's physical health.

FAQs

What is tachophobia?

It's the fear of speed, which can be related to swift driving,r travel, or moving at a fast pace.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms may vary 

• From extreme avoidance of daily life situations with speed
• Hesitations to travel in fast-moving transport

What are the causes of tachophobia?

The causes include any past experiences and genetic or environmental conditions. For instance, a person with a family history of mental illness or anxiety disorders has more chance of developing this condition.

What are the treatment options?

The treatment options include cognitive behavioural therapy, antianxiety, or antidepressant drugs which are to be taken after clinician consultation. Relaxation techniques and lifestyle modifications are also part of the process.

What are the side effects of the antidepressants?

Prolonged usage of any medication can result in few side effects.

This can vary from nausea, balance issues, dry mouth, etc. It also depends upon the type of drug, dosage, and duration.

How to prevent the condition?

There are limitations for us to prevent it from occurring. But it's possible to prevent the situation from getting severe.

Can tachophobia be cured completely?

The coping mechanisms, medications, and lifestyle modifications help you to overcome the fear and reduce the frequency and episodes of tachophobia. All these support the person to lead a quality life without the thought of fear about speed.

Summary

Tachophobia is an irrational fear of speed. Mostly this will be related to anxiety disorders. The causes can be related to bad experiences like surviving or facing an accident or at times, genetic factors. Tachophobia can make a person's life difficult by fear of even travelling on public transport.

The condition can be treated with lifestyle modifications and medications for anxiety which may help in reducing the symptoms.

Tachophobia or any other fears affecting the daily life of a person should be diagnosed with the help of a psychiatrist or psychologist. Awareness regarding the hesitations about seeking help for such conditions should also be given to make a healthy society for a better future.