Driving OCD

[lilly246]

Does anyone have any tips for getting rid of OCD compulsions when driving? I constantly find myself checking and making sure no one is in the road. I try to take routes with very little pedestrians because my OCD flares up when there are busy streets. I tend to turn back around and make sure nothing happened on my drive. It is super tough driving anywhere without lots of anxiety and constant checking. Any suggestions would help!

[Hershy49]

25 tips for Ocd Treatment iocdf.org/expert-opinions/2...

[3BirdLover]

I have that flare up also. It was really bad a few years ago but it has gotten a lot better.

When it happens for me it is crucial to remember my OCD tools that I can pull out of my head:

Did I actually FEEL something? No.

*Remember that “feelings” don’t mean it’s true.

*”maybe, maybe not” is so important for me. Sit with my uncertainty.

*Do not go back to check. It will only make it worse. No matter what, do not do it. It will get easier.” Sit and wait.

”I have a brain disorder. OCD is trying to trick me. Tell the ocd to hit the road…. It is not welcome here.”

* “OCD is a bully”!!

And more….. keep your tips on index cards in your car so you have them handy. Pretty soon they will get imprinted in your mind and you can recall them.

I hope this helps. It extremely hard, however in time you will find it will help you.

[lilly246 in reply to 3BirdLover]

I'm glad it has gotten better for you! Thank you so much for sharing these tips. Yes it is really hard when I'm in the moment and it is so easy just to check and have the anxiety subside, which I know fuels the problem. I'm going to make the index cards and keep them in the car!

[3BirdLover in reply to lilly246]

I’m so glad to help. Yes I know we’ll the relief checking does, but it will come back next time. The more you can resist the better you will get. 😍

[Eli_E]

I found giving myself shorter time limits helps. For instance, if I have a 30 minute drive to work and my goal is to not check, I'm going to end up checking because it is so habitual and 30 minutes is a long time to focus on just that. However, if I say for the length of this song, or for the next 5 min I'm going to not check, I find it a lot easier to focus and not do it (or a least cut down on the checking). Then when my short interval is done, I set another one immediately after or wait a few minutes and then set another reason. For whatever reason, I find setting multiple shorter time goals to works better for me than just telling myself I'm not going to check on my drive.

[lilly246 in reply to Eli_E]

Thank you for sharing that tip! I'll definitely give that a try. My biggest challenge will be to not drive back around after the short interval, but I think having a short distraction where I can't look back will definitely help curb the obsessive thoughts. I need to just focus on what's in front of me and not constantly check my mirrors. I like the idea of timing it based on a song too.

[PurpleWings-e]

I really struggle with this also. While I don’t have a solution exactly, I appreciate seeing that someone else is in the same boat. Any time there is a rattle or gravel hits my windshield I get nervous. I’m more comfortable with routine routes but have difficulty driving into busy areas or cities, particularly with a passenger. If it’s just me I know that I can take alternative routes in the spur of the moment but if I’m driving my partner I get nervous what they’re thinking. I’ve found it helpful to have an iced drink in my cup holder because the noise is somehow comforting in a distracting way. Maybe that helps? Sorry I’m not of much help but I’m right here with ya!

[lilly246 in reply to PurpleWings-e]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I can relate to the gravel hitting my windshield and I also try to always use routine routes so I know what to expect. It's definitely nice to find the little things that are comforting. For me it is sometimes comforting to keep my windows down so I don't feel as trapped in my car with my nerves. I'll try out the iced drink in the cupholder, I'm willing to try anything that has worked for others to see what coping mechanisms help out best.