I’ve never driven or even had a lesson. Anyone drive? I am on a fairly low dose of AP and believe my motor skills are fine I’m just worried about my anxiety if I were to start driving, I live in a small town and public transport isn’t great.
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Anxiety used to drive me crazy while driving. My anxiety was bad while I didn’t drive…but it was amplified 100x worse when I drove. I don’t drive anymore but I could and may ship my car out to where I live now. I just take the bus and I enjoy it somewhat. But yeah I have no problem driving anymore. I never had a problem til I was 23 years old. Then I had a problem for 2 years but it went away. I used to have to avoid highways, rainy weather, night time, and take my klonopin exactly 30 minutes before I went and drove because of anxiety.
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I drive, hauling 7 ton loads behind me towing 25 foot trailers, I do fine even when my anxiety is really bad, I’m over the top as far as nerves being strained, but I get everywhere safely by not rushing it.
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Yep, I drive almost every day (mainly for basic needs like food and stuff). Once in a while, I’ll drive long distance to another nearby state to catch a concert or a ball game.
Once you learn, it just becomes automatic (like riding a bike). I can’t really drive “manual stick” though. But automatic transmission is easy. The hard part for me is I tend to get lost pretty easily if I drive somewhere new. Can get disorganized trying to hyper-literally follow exact directions.
The better car you drive, the easier also. You want to drive one that accelerates and brakes well. Makes the whole process easier.
You could get “highway hypnosis” so to speak and still get from point A to point B, safely. You don’t have to pay 100% attention at all times ahead of you. You can split your attention 'cause it’s that easy. Although it’s not recommended to talk on cell phones while driving. I notice some drivers don’t even pay that close attention when they’re driving, although I pay extra close attention (always checking blind spots and stuff like that).
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Thanks for the insight, I’ll book some lessons in the new year and see if I can do it
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i have only driven two times in my life, once with a friend and then with my mom’s step father. i was anxious beyond belief when it came to driving. i can’t even attempt to drive since i am so scared.
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I passed the driving test im driving 12 years
Did you pass after you were diagnosed?
@san_pedro
yes I passed it 7 years ago im diagnosed as sza, I have no syptoms 6 years
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I used to drive before I had sz, my parents don’t trust me with the cars anymore. Also it makes them feel good about themselves when I have to come to them for something. Like they feel like they are in control or like they are important/needed.
I get what you mean. My parents are controlling as well. I just keep telling myself they are looking out for me and if I had a son with sz I’d be the same.
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I drove since age 19, diagnosed sza in my early 20’s. I still have my license, still drive. 0 accidents, 1 dui that I contest because it was cannabis and of course it would be in my system up to 3-4 weeks later, but I digress…
I get super paranoid that my car will break down, that people will rear end me, that some pedestrian will run out in front of my car while strung out on drugs…I think it makes me more alert and a safer driver. I got used to the racing heart, the fear, I just drive in a slow, controlled manner. Always obey all laws, even when it’s like using a turn signal when nobody else is around…you never know.
And of course, cops make me paranoid.
I drive because I deserve to: 0 accidents, 1 speeding ticket and 1 dui (in appellate court because I reject the jury’s uninformed decision) across over a decade. I do not intend on getting another dui or speeding ticket. I am too paranoid to do risky driving moves. I take care to obey all laws, since I am sza and the cops who’ve pulled me over and found out all question my ability to drive. I say it’s my right that I earned by being a good driver for over a decade (the speeding ticket and dui happened last year, it was a bad year).
I was even a pizza delivery girl for a few years. I drove paranoid, psychotic, and I wouldn’t do that again. On meds, though, there is no reason why I should be forbidden from driving. I recognize my symptoms and if I get psychotic, I’d put down the keys and lock myself indoors (but I’m med compliant, so that probably won’t happen).
Just obey all laws and don’t be afraid to use that paranoia for good (i.e. checking my mirrors obsessively, looking on the sides of the road for random pedestrians not obeying the crosswalk laws…).
In comparison, my normal friend had 7 wrecks and 2 dui’s and she was allowed to continue driving and nobody has ever questioned her right to drive.
PS I get a good driver discount on my car insurance.
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i have my test coming up on 21st, hope i do ok 
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i started driving this year. i dropped out of high skool before i got to practice driving. imma get my license soon.
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I drive a 2011 scion tc. It can be hard sometimes when I’m hallucinating but I’ve never even had a close call. I also ride a motorcycle.
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I started driving 1978 when I was 17. I drove for two years and then I became schizophrenic and I had no car for the next 4 years. Anyways, I drove off and on through the years until 1990 when my board & care home would not allow anyone to own a car or drive. So I took the bus all over for the next 5 years.
In 1995 I got a car and I have driven since then. So, it’s possible to drive as you can see. It really depends on the individual. I drove for four years while addicted to crack. I drove while psychotic, depressed, paranoid. I’ve driven on some of the most congested highways in California where it was bumper to bumper traffic for an hour while out of my mind. I’ve driven while I was so stressed that I thought I was going to crack. Since 1995 I’ve had about 5 or 6 accidents but only one was my fault and no one was hurt. So I guess I show that it is possible for people with our illness to drive under extreme duress.
I’m not sure if this helps but it may be less stressful to drive in a small town compared to a big city.
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I could never do a job like that. I would always get lost looking for addresses and the pizzas would probably get too cold or something. Maybe it’s easier if you have GPS. I’ve never used GPS before, though.
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I’ve been driving for nearly 20 years without interruption, guess I’ve been lucky in that sense. I drive a lot now and in recent years, about 1500 miles/month. Too much. Something wild is that I drove myself to the hospital during my second psychotic break, in 2003.
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Thanks. Yes live in a small town, a bit of a sleepy hollow, however, a beautiful county/state with beautiful countryside and beaches.
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