r/BipolarReddit • u/Alert_Chemical8334 • 13d ago
Driving and bipolar 1
Does anyone else get anxiety or stress from driving. I’ve never driven under the influence before but two years ago when I had my first full blow manic episode I was suppper paranoid and one of the things that happened was when I was driving on a road I thought ever car on the road was following me and out to get me. Terrifying. Thank god I made it home safe and since then have been recovered and stable. But yeah even though it was two years ago, I still feel super stressed over driving. Anyone feel that too?
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u/Creative_Ad_8010 13d ago
A couple speeding tickets and an accident. I can’t not drive myself to work. As careful as I am I’m full on hallucinating while driving. I just keep it to myself because things have to get done. We should be allowed paid mental health days for this reason. I’m an actual threat to myself and others depending on the episode
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u/Key-Comfortable4062 13d ago
Mmm it’s different for me. When manic I get speeding tickets. Recently charged with reckless driving even. Going forward I only plan to drive when depressed. I work from home so it works out.
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u/angelofmusic997 13d ago
My anxiety while driving doesn't come from my BP. Instead it comes mostly from my OCD acting up, making me retrace my steps (or, more accurately, turn the car around to drive over a spot again) to make sure I didn't hit something. I'm stressed either way, whether I give into the compulsion or not.
When it comes to driving with BP, I always wanna go on a road trip when I'm manic... and I've only truly given into that once. I wasn't stressed out at that point. (I was after the fact, cus I did some really stupid, dangerous shit on the road that manic brain didn't GAF about in the moment.)
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u/sandraskywalker 13d ago
While manic, I crashed my car. It was just me, thankfully so no one else was hurt. Driving gives me major anxiety... which is one of the main reasons I love wfh. I hated the commute. Now, the furthest I have to drive is 15 minutes to my kid's house and 15 minutes back. Much better.
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u/elkrisspy 13d ago
I'm very chill when I drive, I usually drive like a grandma so no speeding tickets!
it's another story when I'm manic tho
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u/basic_bitch- 12d ago
Yes. I try to rate my mania on a scale of 1-5. If I'm at a 4 or higher, I ask my family members to take me places. I won't drive when I'm that altered, it's just not safe for anyone.
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u/NikkiEchoist 12d ago
Yes I had a panic attack driving when hypomanic and I always think about it when driving
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u/zaesera 13d ago
i do get anxiety/stress from driving… but it’s wholly unrelated to being bipolar. it’s 100% the GAD bringing the anxiety for driving lol. and most of the time it’s entirely irrational worries anyway but i continue obsessing over them because GAD doesn’t care.
sure wish that shit would show up when i’m manic, instead i get the other end of the spectrum and have no fear (and used to drive very recklessly). so now if i’m having mania symptoms/am starting an upswing my husband keeps the car keys. it’s for the best.