ocd and driving

[followJesus1811]

hi everyone.

i had OCD while driving years ago. i fear hitting someone. i drive super carefully. never take my eye off the road. any bump i go over i get super scared. i keep checking to make sure i did not hit anything.

i thought i was over this. lately, it has come back...

been praying for wisdom and self-control over my thoughts.

anyone deal with this? and how did it improve?

 

[frank1234]

hi; I probably have not had exactly this OCD, but the root cause of this OCD is just like any other OCD(which is fear and anxiety). I think probably it's a good idea to face the fear that you have about the specifics of driving straight on; in this way you are dealing with the root cause of the OCD problem and then you can gradually become de-sensitized of it. God bless you.

 

[gracealone]

Yes,
I feel your pain. I've stuggled on and off with difficulty driving for many years. Generally I'm always afraid of losing control of the car but I can also get panic attacks when driving over 35 mph or on expressways. I even get them sometimes when my husband is driving in heavy freeway traffic. I'm working on it but so far I'm only able to drive to a few places like my folks, my daughters, our church, close stores etc.
I also think there are several things that have played into this fear. When I was a gradeschooler my bus driver ran over and killed a 5 year old boy when I was on the bus. Then an older relative also ran over and killed a little boy. Then when I was in drivers Ed. and already scared half to death my mom would give out the following words of caution; "always remember that a car is like a loaded weapon!" Yeah... that wasn't something I needed to hear but she meant well. Probably my brothers may have needed to hear that but it kind of freaked me out.
I'll pray for you in your efforts to keep on driving and I'd appreciate your prayers for me. Exposure to it is what's key to helping the both of us.
God Bless,
Mitzi
and yes... OCD really stinks at times.

hi everyone.

i had OCD while driving years ago. i fear hitting someone. i drive super carefully. never take my eye off the road. any bump i go over i get super scared. i keep checking to make sure i did not hit anything.

i thought i was over this. lately, it has come back...

been praying for wisdom and self-control over my thoughts.

anyone deal with this? and how did it improve?

 

[followJesus1811]

thanks guys!