Dissociation and Driving?

General Dissociation

How do you guys deal with dissociation when driving? Does it prevent you from driving? Can you still drive while dissociating? Do you need to pull over or wait to drive? I’d love to hear!

I’ve noticed my dissociation can get pretty intense where I cannot go drive or drive atm cuz it gets too hard to focus. Other times I need to extra focus or pull over to be able to feel okay to drive again. Was wondering if anyone else dealt with this??

in Dissociationby Bell_a_b

100%

15d

-namedoesntmatter

15d

For me I put on fun songs to listen to, that I know the words to so I can put energy into that. I also check my posture a lot and bring my head back up "full attwntion" and lift my chin. And mentally tell us "I'm driving now. No one else needs to be here. I'm driving"

It's helps somewhat.

pink-wonderland

14d

This is exactly what I do to stay present while driving

LurkHolmes

15d

I personally came to the unanimous decision to get rid of my drivers license for dissociation reasons as I have no controller over when or where.

[deleted]

15d

I legally can't drive bc of mine so maybe it depends on how strong it is??

Consistent-Citron513

15d

I can usually drive with no problem. If I feel more dissociated than normal, I'll put on music to help me focus.

crabofthewoods

15d

I don’t drive dissociated. I play music that helps me focus, pumps me up & is familiar to me. I also plan my route wayyy before I get in the road, sometimes inputting it into my maps app.

I also like to get have a special drink on hand that’s usually caffeinated or has boba in it. It’s like a reward 😏

totallysurpriseme

15d

I have DID and I have to coax some parts to drive. One part talks the entire time saying how much they hate to drive, but I personally love it. I actually think that’s pretty funny.

ughhhh_username

14d

I'd come out of dissociating, and I'd be at home and would freak out. I think that was the scariest thing with my dissociations. I don't know what happened. All I would know is I was somehow home and I drove myself there.

DiceyPisces

15d

Half the time I’m in my head or just like a passenger on a joyride. Dissociation was an subconscious survival mode for me. For which I’m grateful. It’s all I know. Main goal survival. And to protect me, in every way. So I do trust it’ll be fine.

Also I’m 53 and have been dealing with it forever.

cigarettespoons

15d

It’s taking me YEARS to get my license because I can’t drive when I’m really dissociated and I spend most of my time really dissociated, it’s very frustrating

unfkwttble

14d

Same I get made fun of for being the only one left that hasn’t gotten their license out of almodt every one I know but I feel physically and mentally incapable, I’ve already been in an accident and forget I’m driving literally every single time it really is frustrating man

cigarettespoons

13d

I really feel your pain, I have so much shame around not being able to drive, and people don’t understand that the reason I’m taking so long to get my license is because I’m trying to keep other road users safe, but they hear “I can’t drive” and automatically think you’re just lazy

funfacilitator_1

14d

Driving has been a big precursor/trigger to my episodes. I have “come to” in so many random places, sometimes with parking tickets on my windshield, sometimes with hand write notes, and sometimes with dents. I will not know it’s happening until it’s already happened, so I try to really focus on grounding techniques or talk to a friend on the phone. It doesn’t stop me from driving, but I probably shouldn’t.

Dad_Bod_The_God

13d

If I start to feel an episode coming on while I’m driving, I’ve gotten in the habit of rolling the window down and letting the wind beat the hell out of my face. May not work as well if you drive through mostly slow areas, but I rarely go anywhere that requires low speed limits as I mostly just drive to work. My wife likes to do the bulk of the driving when we’re together and I’m more than happy to ride along.