Anticipatory ocd over driving

Iiii am horribly, terribly afraid of driving. I'm almost 19, and getting my license - or really even getting in a car and driving myself - has eluded me for quite some time. There are a lot of unknowns, and it's very hard to reconcile with; even on familiar routes, every drive's gonna be different, there are gonna be different people on the road than there were on a successful drive (and obviously I can't trust other people, because I never know what could happen), there might be construction or a wreck or some other hindrance in the road. It's tough to process, over and over, that I can't read the future, let alone control it to circumvent any Possible woes. I've never experienced a severe wreck or anything to justify this fear, the worst I've done is mix up the brake and gas once in an empty lot (nothing and nobody harmed aside from some fear on my end, just a scratch on the car!) yet I'm Petrified of causing an accident, hurting myself or especially someone else, and incurring debts a college student like myself can't pay off. Even so, not having my license is.. frustrating! It's easier and more comfortable to avoid practicing and actually getting there, but at the same time it's hard and disappointing because I have no independence in the way of going to work, shopping, or seeing my friends or partner. It's a real back and forth conundrum of "Phew, at least I can't drive" -> "Oh no I can't drive" -> "Oh no I have to drive", rinse and repeat. I'm headed off to college now, really running out of time (I've booked an instructor for myself and may end up in a position to test this week.. I leave Friday 😟) and more antsy than ever. Anybody else ever feel/felt this way?

Lola3

Date posted: 9d

Do you want to drive? If you truly are afraid and don't want to drive you don't have to, but the question is weather or not you want to. If you want to than you already know. ERP. Anything could happen. Whatever the worst case scenario is, there's always a possibility. You need to push through the anxiety and the fears you have and get to the core root of your beliefs and why you have them... usually leading to another fear and then you work through that. Keep pushing through and continue to stay motivated. Your fears are normal and apart OCD and will kick all our asses half the time! A tip is just to use these fears as fuel for your motivation to practise and become a great driver, which in turn reduces the risk of accidents. Now that scary scenario, even if only a little, the chances of an accident is reduced. Hope you feel better and good luck :)

sophea

Date posted: 9d

I'm 18 and just got my license a couple months ago! You got this!

Leaf Slug

Date posted: 9d

Sameeeee. I also am super afraid of driving. I avoid practicing all the time and am scared so often of getting in a car crash and especially of running someone over. I got my permit a while back (it’s expired now, I also failed the driving test). But ever since I paid attention to driving I get anxious even when I’m not the one driving. Like turning onto a road where the other side has no stop sign or light always gets me. I see the cars approaching and even though I know there’s plenty of time to turn I’ll think to myself “what if I go too slow and crash?” “What if they suddenly go faster?” “What if I estimated wrong and we crash?” “What if I go too fast and hit something while trying to avoid a crash?” It’s all probably fine but the pedals are so sensitive I really worry that I’ll just make one mistake and ruin a life. So yeah you are 100% not alone in this.

Tayloremipsum

Date posted: 9d

To any responses: 1. Thank you! I didn't respond this morning before seeing my instructor because I was a bit occupied but it was nice to hear from other people :) the insight, positivity, and relativity respectively were all good to hear in their own right!! 2. I drove and, as expected, didn't get close to causing any harm or even doing much of anything wrong! If all goes well I'll get my license this Thursday 🙏 still quite scary but I know the only solution is simply to do it so!!

Chibee

Date posted: 21w

taking me really long to learn to drive…

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.

bokang

Date posted: 18w

Is this OCD or just...me?

I'm really struggling to figure out where my OCD ends and where I begin. I’m scared of most things—not in a panicky way, but in a deep, cautious, worst-case-scenario kind of way. Example: I haaaaaaaaate my spectacles. I’d love to do Lasik, or even just wear contacts, but the idea terrifies me. I’ve heard about the tiniest risk of blindness or infection, and once that thought is in my head, it takes over. I picture the worst, and then I don’t act. TRIGGER Also Lasik involves cutting TRIGGER which petrifies me. I’m stuck between wanting change and being too afraid to make it. The same goes with wanting to travel but being scared I'll be trafficked or someone will plant something in my bag & I'll get arrested overseas. No amount of praying will fix it. Does anyone else feel like their OCD makes them freeze in everyday decisions? Like you can’t tell if you're just being practical or if it's the OCD gripping the steering wheel again? Maybe it's just me. Maybe it's not OCD but my personality, that's what I'm trying to figure out.

Mid-life adults with OCD

Stacey353

Date posted: 17w

Does anyone else have driving OCD?

It’s like I drive a little ways on the main road and then something in my head says danger turn around and I do! I don’t k ow what’s dangerous though. I feel like I’ll never get past this and I’m so frustrated

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond

Anticipatory ocd over driving

Related posts

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Be a part of the largest OCD Community