Some Advice Needed
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I dont post very often on these forums but ive been a long time lurker!
I was wondering if the PH massive could offer any advice? Ive been suffering some mental health problems recently associated with my driving. I'm currently scared stupid of driving due to the fact that every time i make a journey i think up pictures in my head that ive run over a pedestrian, knocked over a cylist or caused an accident somehow, i then have to trace my route back just to check that everything is OK (which it always is) I dread getting into a car. This could happen up to 10 times in one half hour journey and usualy gets triggered when driving over drains and potholes or if i lose concentration for a few seconds. I have never actually run over anyone or had an accident in my 5 years of driving and I used to travel over 40,000 miles a year up and down the country as part of my job.
Ive seen various doctors, councillors, been on several anxiety and deppression drugs with no affect on the situation. I honestly cant think what could have got me into this state, i used to love driving and would always be happiest behind the wheel of a car or van.
So what do we think? Has anyone experienced anything similar? does anyone have any suggestions to get me back behind the wheel?
Im on the verge of losing my job because of this and to be honest im getting a bit desperate.
I Know this all sounds a bit odd but any help would be greatly apprieciated.
I dont post very often on these forums but ive been a long time lurker!
I was wondering if the PH massive could offer any advice? Ive been suffering some mental health problems recently associated with my driving. I'm currently scared stupid of driving due to the fact that every time i make a journey i think up pictures in my head that ive run over a pedestrian, knocked over a cylist or caused an accident somehow, i then have to trace my route back just to check that everything is OK (which it always is) I dread getting into a car. This could happen up to 10 times in one half hour journey and usualy gets triggered when driving over drains and potholes or if i lose concentration for a few seconds. I have never actually run over anyone or had an accident in my 5 years of driving and I used to travel over 40,000 miles a year up and down the country as part of my job.
Ive seen various doctors, councillors, been on several anxiety and deppression drugs with no affect on the situation. I honestly cant think what could have got me into this state, i used to love driving and would always be happiest behind the wheel of a car or van.
So what do we think? Has anyone experienced anything similar? does anyone have any suggestions to get me back behind the wheel?
Im on the verge of losing my job because of this and to be honest im getting a bit desperate.
I Know this all sounds a bit odd but any help would be greatly apprieciated.
How about trying a really short journey - ie round the block. 2 min drive.
Is it your memory that you cant remember if you hit someone or not? smaller journeys/steps may help. Perhaps take a dictaphone and talk into it aver few mins or seconds that you are at so and so place and not hit anything. By the end of the journey you can play it back.
Hope these dont sound like silly ideas.
Is it your memory that you cant remember if you hit someone or not? smaller journeys/steps may help. Perhaps take a dictaphone and talk into it aver few mins or seconds that you are at so and so place and not hit anything. By the end of the journey you can play it back.
Hope these dont sound like silly ideas.
MiniMeee said:
Hi everyone,
I dont post very often on these forums but ive been a long time lurker!
I was wondering if the PH massive could offer any advice? Ive been suffering some mental health problems recently associated with my driving. I'm currently scared stupid of driving due to the fact that every time i make a journey i think up pictures in my head that ive run over a pedestrian, knocked over a cylist or caused an accident somehow, i then have to trace my route back just to check that everything is OK (which it always is) I dread getting into a car. This could happen up to 10 times in one half hour journey and usualy gets triggered when driving over drains and potholes or if i lose concentration for a few seconds. I have never actually run over anyone or had an accident in my 5 years of driving and I used to travel over 40,000 miles a year up and down the country as part of my job.
Ive seen various doctors, councillors, been on several anxiety and deppression drugs with no affect on the situation. I honestly cant think what could have got me into this state, i used to love driving and would always be happiest behind the wheel of a car or van.
So what do we think? Has anyone experienced anything similar? does anyone have any suggestions to get me back behind the wheel?
Im on the verge of losing my job because of this and to be honest im getting a bit desperate.
I Know this all sounds a bit odd but any help would be greatly apprieciated.
What you have is a premonition.
Try running over a few rabbits to make it come true.
Then you will have no problems.
Seriously, you have to face the irrationality of your fears. There must be some therapy, like Allan Carr uses, that will help you see the reality.
Sounds like a good idea to me!! 
Thank you all very much for your suggestions,
Ive been down the hypnotherepy route and it didnt seem to make much difference unfortunatly.
are IAM and rospa advanced driving courses?
I think it probably would help to actually run over something but finding rabbits to run over aint always that easy! and maybe a bit cruel! Who is this Allan Carr?
Cheers guys
Ive been down the hypnotherepy route and it didnt seem to make much difference unfortunatly.
superlightr said:
Have you tried having a friend in the car with you to see if you feel the same, or try the IAM or Rospa.?
are IAM and rospa advanced driving courses?
bruciebabe said:
What you have is a premonition.
Try running over a few rabbits to make it come true.
Then you will have no problems.
Seriously, you have to face the irrationality of your fears. There must be some therapy, like Allan Carr uses, that will help you see the reality.
I think it probably would help to actually run over something but finding rabbits to run over aint always that easy! and maybe a bit cruel! Who is this Allan Carr?
Cheers guys
MiniMeee said:
Thank you all very much for your suggestions,
Ive been down the hypnotherepy route and it didnt seem to make much difference unfortunatly.
superlightr said:
Have you tried having a friend in the car with you to see if you feel the same, or try the IAM or Rospa.?
are IAM and rospa advanced driving courses?
bruciebabe said:
What you have is a premonition.
Try running over a few rabbits to make it come true.
Then you will have no problems.
Seriously, you have to face the irrationality of your fears. There must be some therapy, like Allan Carr uses, that will help you see the reality.
I think it probably would help to actually run over something but finding rabbits to run over aint always that easy! and maybe a bit cruel! Who is this Allan Carr?
Cheers guys
No I think he was offering to be run over
You could try giving Ride Drive a call, I know they have instructors who are trained to help people who have had accidents or have driving phobias.
www.ridedrive.co.uk/index2.html
www.ridedrive.co.uk/index2.html
Minimee,
You have OCD - obsessive compulsive disorder.
It is treatable.
You need professional help though - so go back to your doctor and tell him this is ruining your life.
On your own you could try driving with a small dictaphone machine recording you as you go along. Give a running commentary on what you do, as in an Advanced Driving Test, then if you feel the need you can play parts of your journey back and hear that there is nothing to worry about.
You know this is irrational - what you need to do is keep reminding yourself that and to prove it to yourself.
Hope that helps.
>> Edited by alexkp on Wednesday 29th June 13:28
You have OCD - obsessive compulsive disorder.
It is treatable.
You need professional help though - so go back to your doctor and tell him this is ruining your life.
On your own you could try driving with a small dictaphone machine recording you as you go along. Give a running commentary on what you do, as in an Advanced Driving Test, then if you feel the need you can play parts of your journey back and hear that there is nothing to worry about.
You know this is irrational - what you need to do is keep reminding yourself that and to prove it to yourself.
Hope that helps.
>> Edited by alexkp on Wednesday 29th June 13:28
This sounds as if something is getting on top of you and this is your heads way of letting out a bit of pressure.
I had similar all consuming worries a few years back, not about driving though.
Work and family issues were getting a bit stressful and suddenly you start really worring about something that you'd normally not worry about or actually enjoy.
It will pass.
I had similar all consuming worries a few years back, not about driving though.
Work and family issues were getting a bit stressful and suddenly you start really worring about something that you'd normally not worry about or actually enjoy.
It will pass.
Thank you agian for all your support and suggestions!
Alexkp, i think you may be right i have wondered wheather it could be some sort of ocd thing. I might try hooking up a Handycam onto the dash to record everything, not sure on the legalities of this though?
I shall definatly be giving Ride Drive a tinkle, from what ive read on website it sounds maybe just what i need.
Given me plenty of ideas this as!
Alexkp, i think you may be right i have wondered wheather it could be some sort of ocd thing. I might try hooking up a Handycam onto the dash to record everything, not sure on the legalities of this though?
I shall definatly be giving Ride Drive a tinkle, from what ive read on website it sounds maybe just what i need.
Given me plenty of ideas this as!
MiniMeee said:
For OCD you should see a behavioural therapist ...
My doctor just seems to put me drugs or councelling, can i go directly to a behavioural therapist?
I am no expert in this area - but I think you should try asking your doctor again, and if not give a local counselling service a call.
With regards to your handycam on the dash - there is nothing illegal in this, but I think you might find it more beneficial to actually give a talking commentary on the journey. That way you are going to remember event and make a concious effort to control your reactions, rather than just record and watch it back - that is not really a solution.
Best of luck - you will get it sorted if you make a concerted effort.
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