Learning to Drive Again After a Mental Health Disorder

Mental health disorders are a leading cause of many medical and psychiatric office visits in the United States. For most mental health sufferers, the complications of depression and anxiety are easily resolved through medication and psychotherapy. For some mental health sufferers, the complications are more complex, often resulting in loss of even the most basic ability to perform daily living activities.

One such activity that is often lost by an individual with a complex mental health complication, is the ability to drive or operate a motor vehicle. In fact, when the mental health complication is quite severe, such as in the case of manic depression, bipolar or severe anxiety, the physician may even take the necessary steps to temporarily remove the individual's rights to drive.

If you, or a loved one, has lost the right to drive an automobile, either by force or by choice, the timing for restoration of the driving privileges must be taken very seriously. While you may feel violated and alienated by your physician it is important to look at the consequences of your mental health condition may have on your driving ability. In many cases, once pondered, you will find that you agree with the physician's decision.

Once your mental health complication is under control, it is important to restore your driving at a relatively slow pace, one that allows you to become familiar with the aspects of driving again. First, you will want to spend some time sitting in the vehicle and become re-acquainted with the dynamics of the interior.

Next, with someone in the vehicle with you, take a drive down a familiar road with relatively few cars. You will want to find a road that has plenty of space, or areas, for pulling over. Because driving can be full of anxious moments, individuals who suffer from mental health complications often find operating a vehicle in heavy traffic can trigger a panic attack and significantly impair your cognitive function.