Driving ocd

Hey all! I am really struggling with driving ocd or also known as hit and run ocd. Tonight while driving home from work in the dark, I was passing a car on the side of the road that had their flashers on. I saw them ahead of time so I prepared and got over to the left a little as they were on the right shoulder. Anyways, I was driving on a two lane road. As I started going farther past it, I felt a bump. I looked back but it was hard to see anything because it was dark. Long story short, now I’m struggling with high anxiety with the uncertainty. My rational brain thinks all is ok as there was a car behind me, so I don’t think they would keep going if something were wrong and they would alert me if there was anything to be concerned about. Also I feel like I would know if I hit something. But my what if brain is saying well what if the person in that car got out and walked down a bit to go the bathroom. It’s on a bridge near woods. So now I’m scared as I don’t know what the bump was. I don’t know how to deal with this anymore. I didn’t go back as I know I’m not supposed to and expose myself but the anxiety is too much to handle. What to do? I’m so depressed about this theme! It’s very overwhelming and debilitating 😓😓

Harm OCD

ivrec

Date posted: 1y

The “what if “ thoughts are typical OCD. I think you know logically that the anxiety is all driven by OCD. You are supposed to just let these feelings pass. OCD tells us that we can’t deal anxiety but we can. It does suck and feel bad but you can handle it. There are suggestions on line on calming anxiety. Focus on breathing etc. I hope this helps we have all had to deal with the “what ifs” with OCD so you are not alone.

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y

@ivrec I know how to deal with the anxiety but it’s a matter of accepting the uncertainty. I have done ERP in the past. Sometimes I don’t give into my compulsions and just sit with it and other times I just don’t feel like dealing with it, so I give in so I can get temporary relief. I know it’s the ocd but sometimes it’s hard for me to recognize what’s real. Like when it was dark and I hit a bump. How could I be sure what it was if I couldn’t see or look back? Thank you 😊

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y

I also struggle with this daily, I will sometimes stress so much the day before knowing I have to drive somewhere the next day and how i can get out of doing it. I am new to dealing with this with a therapist and hope we both get some form of relief and therapy soon!

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y

@Anonymous I’m sorry you’re dealing with this! So your fear with driving just started or the therapy just started. It is really tiring. Especially because I drive about an hour to and from work everyday. How often do you have to drive? I drive because I have to but it’s really stressful. I’m upset because I used to love driving and would take rides to actually reflect on my thoughts, get a break etc and now it’s all turned. It makes me really depressed. We aren’t supposed to give in and not look back etc

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y

@Anonymous sorry i’m just now getting back to you! I just now started with a therapist. I have had the driving OCD for quite some time that has progressed to severe. I drive daily, I know we aren’t supposed to look back etc and it gives me nearly panic attacks to try not to do those things or break out in a full on sweat!

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y

@Anonymous No worries! Same. I freak out if I can’t look back. Have you been avoiding that compulsion? I don’t know what to do as I feel like I can’t resist the urge even when no one is walking on the side of the road. I still look back when I hear bumps etc. nothing can be wrong and I imagine things. It’s so exhausting 😭😭 I’m so tired of it. I was so depressed driving home today

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y

@Anonymous I feel you 100% you’re not alone! I have a hard time avoiding the compulsion, I hope down the road im able but honestly right now im not. i’ve accepted that and it’s HARD on me daily. it’s mentally exhausting but i just cling on to this hope that other people are also dealing with this and we can get through it together!

Don’tLoveDra...

Date posted: 1y

“You cannot think your way out of ruminating” Best advice I ever got, HARDEST TO LISTEN TOO but thank you for being vulnerable and brave posting this because for slightly different but similar OCD reasons I can’t drive at all. I feel a little less alone💔

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y

@Don’tLoveDrama-itLovesMe Oh no! I’m really sorry to hear that! Do you mind sharing how old you are and the reason or thoughts that led to this? You definitely aren’t alone. I’m always so scared I’m going to cause an accident with looking back etc. I need to get ahold of this so I can pay attention to what’s ahead

marks

Date posted: 21w

Anybody have hit and run ocd?

Haven’t drove by myself for a month now. Ive gone through this before.. any advice or tips that can help

gg1701

Date posted: 19w

How do I get over this intrusive thought?

Hello, I was driving last night and i hit a bump in the road like felt like a massive pothole but the road i was driving on (i drive on it almost everyday) and i’ve convinced myself that I hit someone or something. I had my mom drive by there again about 20-30 mins later and there was nothing but she said it looked like a hole was filled by rain water. I drove by later that night and didn’t see it so I’ve convinced myself that if something happened, it was cleared out in that time. Is there anything I can do to help myself feel better.

Anonymous

Date posted: 17w

Ocd Driving

Does anyone have hit and run ocd ? Or possibly causing an accident by crossing the middle line and a vechile going into a ditch ?

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Driving ocd

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