It has been 6 months since I was rear ended and I am doing better now than I was , I still have migraine headaches, but my neurologist has been treating them and I think I have been improving. My dizzy spells are not quite as frequent although I still have them. I find I cant exert myself physically like I used to , I have to pace my self. The one thing I find I am having a great deal of anxiety with is driving. In fact since my accident I have not hardly drove a car at all. Primarily because of the topomax, but also because my vertigo. The antivert has helped a lot with the dizzy spells. But I find I get a real case of nerves when I have to drive now , I always considered myself to be a good driver but now the idea of getting behind the steering wheel really causes me to have serious anxiety. I have not really discussed this with my doctor. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks so much.

I have some anxiety when I drive, not as much as you describe. I realized quickly my response to stimuli threw everything off and adjusted my driving.

People probably get impatient but I feel better to take a little extra time than risk an accident.

"the idea of getting behind the steering wheel really causes me to have serious anxiety"
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Confused IT Guy: I can well relate. I also was rear-ended ... 3+ years ago ... and I find that my anxiety/PTSD re: driving --- as well as even riding in a car --- is still something major that I struggle with daily.

The prospect of either driving or riding at high-speeds, e.g. over 35 mph, on busy 4-lane highways, and on the interstate roadways, is just not something that I can feel comfortable doing.

Particularly, given the exponential growth/proliferation of the use of Smart Phones in these past 3 years!! Aiyeeah! What a setup for disaster.

(The at-fault driver, who rear-ended me, was talking on his Blue Tooth cellular phone at the time! Imagine all these people nowadays talking on face-to-face videophones while driving!! Arrghhh!)

I know it is something I need to come to terms with but I find myself having a moment and it takes a lot to cope with it. I don't like being rushed and you are right the 4 lane roads cause me to get very anxious on. Honestly I am not sure what to do , because that is a serious road block to my being able to return to work as my employment is a very long commute from home. I am just very worried. I genuinely and seriously dread having to drive more than a mile or two away from home and even then its like you said I am not very comfortable driving more than 35 or 40 mph.

IT,

Do you have any areas where you can drive with light traffic loads? Getting back into the discipline with minimal traffic can be a way to ease back.

Do you have a rehab driving clinic in your area? Driving rehab therapists can be helpful.

I do not drive just any day. I have to pick my good days. I also consider the traffic and other conditions. I try to avoid commute times.

If you can, try going to your job earlier that the commute rush.

Either way, it is important to understand when your focus is good and bad.

MY biggest concern is the welfare of others.

I learned that I do better is a car with lots of feed back to the driver. I can not drive my wife's car. I lose track of the fact that I am driving. I am too easily distracted. The power steering gave out and I was able to drive it home 120 miles because it had steering feedback. She could not handle the manual steering. It worked fine for me. I needed the effort.

I have a 4x4 Isuzu Rodeo that keeps my focus on driving. I have the automatic transmission disconnected so I have to shift it by hand. Modern electronic shift automatic transmissions have a disconnect that allows them to be manually shifted. It is the 'get home' mode.

It can be some tough decisions. I went for two years without driving at all. I even sold my car. Now, I drive only a few thousand miles a year.

Be safe.

My best to you all.

Even without PCS, I wouldn't drive. Too expensive to have a car, and a likelihood of being wiped out in a random accident.

Not a matter of being scared, but cautious and realistic.

I've done public transit for my entire life.

Some people might be in isolated areas, which would make it tough, though...

Much appreciation to you & yours, Mark. And for all your time, energy, good will, excellent info and good work on here. Kudos!.
Sincerely,
Theta

I haven't driven since my accident {1-25-2012]. I can't process that quickly. Have you have had a neurophycological examination? They can help you see if you are ready. You can have a driving assessment also?

Hi IT,
A lot of comments about driving here. Im thinking more about the fact you are suffering from distorted thoughts. When we have an accident, a place, a smell, something that reminds us of the accident, can trigger a panic attack (fight or flight mode).
This is completely natural. The thoughts and feelings you are experiencing are totally to be expected.

Accept it. Accept the fact you have changed.

What you do about the change is up to you, but you are different now and will never be the same again.

From tomorrow you have the choice of wether you drive or not.

If you do decide to drive tomorrow and you become anxious - allow yourself to feel the panic. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU PRACTICE THIS ON A QUIET ROAD. When the panic happens pull over, it will not kill you because it is a feeling.

Then in the safe environment of your parked car, let the anxiety come over you and feel it pass. It will pass because it is a feeling triggered by a surge of chemicals. Then drive some more. Eventually your fight or flight feeling will change. Your body will not respond the same way to driving anymore because new synapses in your brain will form telling you that driving is safe.

If however you are suffering flashbacks, heart palpitations to the point where you are in pain, shaking etc you may do well to seek help from a mental health professional who can assess you for PTSD.

Good luck. It must be your decision, don't let anyone tell you what you must do or not do.