For many people, driving across a bridge can be a daunting task, especially if you're prone to getting a scared look over the shoulder as you traverse the high steel structure. While some agencies offer free services for those who are intimidated by bridges, others may not have such luxuries.

In Maryland, for instance, the Bridge Authority no longer provides a service that allows fearful drivers to have someone else drive them across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which is a major thoroughfare with over 80,000 vehicles crossing it every day. This can be especially challenging for individuals who suffer from gephyrophobia, a specific phobia of bridges.

Erin Berman, a clinical psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), notes that phobias are relatively common, affecting approximately 9.1 percent of adults in the United States each year. While exact data on gephyrophobia is difficult to come by, it's clear that many people experience significant anxiety when facing a bridge.

For some, this fear can be so overwhelming that they avoid driving altogether or rely on friends and family members to take the wheel. Others may opt for more unconventional solutions, such as focusing on a specific object in front of them, like a license plate, to distract themselves from their fear.

One woman who has faced her fears is McMahon, a 56-year-old resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland. She recalls a particularly harrowing experience when she was driving with her young niece and daughter across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. As they navigated the steep grade, McMahon's vision began to blur and daylight turned to darkness. Despite her best efforts to calm herself down, she felt her face going numb, her limbs stiffening, and her heart racing.

In a state of panic, McMahon fixated on the license plate in front of her, repeating its letters and numbers as a mantra to distract herself from her fear. Once they reached the flat terrain of Kent Island on the other side of the bridge, she burst into tears, relieved to have made it across safely.

For those who are similarly afflicted with gephyrophobia, there may not be an easy solution, but recognizing that you're not alone in your fear is a good starting point. With practice and perseverance, it's possible to overcome your fears and navigate even the most intimidating bridges with confidence.

Scared look over the shoulder