Hi all- I have been relapsing in terms of my fear of driving. Plus I want to become a highway driver and learn to parallel park. Any tips from others with driving OCD?
What scares you and triggers you? Do you have any reason to be scared? I'll share what I can as I deal with this with my job. There's also other users on here with the same or similar issues.
@Wolfram Thank you for asking! Ultimately I am fearful about getting into an accident. Whether because I will forget how to drive, make a mistake, or get lost. I am very scared of doing new drives, city driving, highway driving, and parking, I also have never gotten gas. Overall safety is one of my OCD themes.
Do small drives to a local store, maybe with a friend and make them aware its exposure therapy for you and not to reassure you. Do little by little and confidence will come. Plan your routes too
@Wolfram Thank you! I actually do some driving very regularly. I just lately am more fearful of driving and never learned certain skills.
@jj5678 YouTube videos help. Look at ones that apply to your countries road though
I'm based in the UK and teach people to drive for a living, but if you find a video and anything confuses you, post a link here and a time stamp and I'll see if I can help
@Wolfram That’s so kind, thank you :)
Hi! You're the 1st person I've ever seen who has driving anxiety too! I have it, to the point that I don't even like being in the passenger seat. Being in a car in general sends me into immediate panic, I also have NO reason to be scared, I'm not worried about accidents or anything in particular, it's just the act of being in the vehicle itself that sends me. I found always having the window cracked for some air flow helps. I've noticed the radio/music being on, makes it worse for me, BUT having a podcast, where people are just talking, helps (weird I know). Also when I'm just driving through town, taking different routes helps too, I'm not sure if it's the change of scenery that helps, but for some reason if I drive the same route every time, it triggers me. I also always keep a cold drink on hand.
@Jlinds Thank you for sharing! I’m sorry to hear that you have this issue too. I appreciate your thoughts on how you deal with it.
Random question but have you got adhd? Had a student who had it undiagnosed and he got tested after having similar things. He was one of my best drivers in the end
@Wolfram I do not, but thank you for asking!
@jj5678 Was asking the other user. I don't know why it didn't aim it @ them. The app glitches sometimes 😅
@Wolfram If you were possibly referring to me, I have not been diagnosed with Adhd, but its something my doctor & i are actually exploring! 2 of my kids have it, and from what I'm told, it can run in families.
Haven’t drove by myself for a month now. Ive gone through this before.. any advice or tips that can help
So i’m finally taking lessons after years of avoiding it!! However, it’s taking me a LONG time to get comfortable and learn. Each lesson is expensive and my family is graciously helping me out, but I feel regret every lesson when I know more money is gone and I’m not improving at a rate I like. My OCD/anxiety is def part of the problem. I have a hard time making decisions confidently and quickly and I hesitate out of fear of being reckless and hurting someone. But so much of driving requires confidence and quick-thinking. I fear I may never make it to a point of getting a license. I’ve been getting lessons for weeks now, and I STILL turn too wide and end up in the other lane. How can I drive in huge traffic with this!? I’m going to hit a car just by turning at an intersection!!! Any tips, guys? 🥲 It’s not my teacher’s fault by any means, he’s been patient but also encouraging. He does push me when need be. But I’m still BAD at what I do lol. Regardless of the practice.
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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