Could my OCD be making it difficult for me to learn to drive?

Question

I have blank attacks where I can't do what the instructor says, or I 'don't comprehend' what they are talking about, or I can't carry out the instructions they give because they dont seem right, or when they say two contradicting things, I can't sort out which one to do and when. I often obsess about accidents and other drivers, and road safety or lack of it.

Answer 1

Everything you listed is exactly the same thing most learner drivers feel. I don't have OCD and I always get "blank attacks". I always think some of the instructions don't seem right and sometimes dangerous and I am very worried about road safety. I've had about 35 hours learning to drive and some of the roads still cause me to freeze up and mess up. I very much doubt you're OCD has anything to do with it. (unless you won't get in the car without kissing each wheel three times!) LOL

Answer 2

The OCD is not causing your difficulty in learning or processing the information that your instructors say.

If you are obsessing about accidents and you fear other drivers and road safety, that could more likely be related to OCD, but to be diagnosed as such, you would need to meet more criteria.

Not understanding what your instructor says, trying to figure out contradicting info and sorting out which to do sounds like it could be an attention issue (I have Attention Deficit Disorder and that sounds like me!).

Do you find this happens in all classes or just one specific class? The issue could definitely be a problem with the way a particular instructor presents information.

Regarding the blank attacks, do you experience them more when you are extremely stressed? If you are in class, do you blank out if you are extremely confused? (THAT can be stressful!)

If you could offer any more information, I am certainly not a psychologist or therapist, but I might be able to point you in a direction.

Another idea is if your program has a student services office that you could talk to. Maybe some special allowances could be made to help you with the difficulties you've been having.

Re: learning to drive, you really should be relaxed. Before you get on the road, you can close your eyes and visualize yourself with other drivers and ENVISION that you are relaxed and confident that you will make the right choice. When you drive with others, you can practice in your head what you would do and the choices that you would make if you were driving.

Letting go of obsessions is NOT easy. Again, if you provide more info, it would be easier to give suggestions or to point you to an info source.

GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 3

Maybe. Maybe not. I don't have OCD. But I used to obsess about accidents and all the traffic on the road too. I would sit in the car with my instructor and not hear a word he said! It was scary. I stopped taking lessons for two years for that reason. I have my license now and I've been driving for a few years. You're fears are normal and may have very little to do with your disorder. (Although the OCD may not be helping either!). Keep taking your lessons. The only way to learn how to drive is to get behind wheel, get on the road, and drive! If I can get over that huge fear, I'm sure you can try to do it too! Good luck to you, dear!

Answer 4

If you can not make simple decisions under a controled situation, then how in the world will your be able to make complex split second decisions under the extream pressure you will encounter during a potential accident situation.

Maybe you are not mature enough at this time to learn how to drive. Not everyone is ready at the same time. Don't be pressured by others or yourself to do this now. Your life and lives of others are on the line when you drive. Step back, take a breath and try this again in 6-months or so.

Answer 5

Find a female instructor - the two of you will find it easier to communicate. It might take you longer to learn than some other people, but keep at it. Look at all the idiots who can drive - you can do it too! I found with learning to drive that I had to learn everything - it was all new to me and it wasn't something where I could use my common sense. As you get more knowledgable and confident you will worry less about safety and accidents because you will learn what to do. Best of luck, and keep at it.

Answer 6

i've got had OCD with the aid of fact i became 4. it is my ritual at nighttime, examine below the beds and turn on the lighting fixtures to learn no person is there. yet I also have a topic the place i'm getting a paranoia on no longer touch an merchandise or shifting it. i've got tried homeopathy, it did no longer paintings on my case. yet quiet down drops look to paintings properly :) stable success along with your OCD, i'm hoping it seems for the main suitable on your case. yet sure, you do have a reasonable subject there. Phyciatry can no longer paintings the two, speaking approximately it by no potential particularly helps.

Answer 7

May need to take time out for a while and consider whether or not trying to learn really is the best option.

Do you have a counsellor/therapist with whom you can talk this through?

Answer 8

Yes it can affect your driving, when you drive you should be able to have a clear head and relax. When your obsessing about things and wondering what if? then it makes it really hard to drive.

Answer 9

change your instructor.

And don't use your condition as an excuse for not being able to ccoordinate your hands, feet and brain. It took me hours to suss it all out. And I only had the argument of being left handed, and slightly dim.

Answer 10

it very well could...i have OCD too and i know that it can be a major pain in the butt. it doesnt have affect on me when im driving really but i can def. see how and where it could take effect.