Does anyone here experience hit and run ocd? If so, do you mind sharing any tips on how to deal with it? I’m struggling! I can’t drive anywhere without it creeping up on me, I try not to drive around for reassurance but I always do and it definitely doesn’t help! I spend the rest of the night trying to remember every detail of my driving and I’m always checking the news I hate it ughhhhh
This was a huge theme for me, and actually the one I've been most able to overcome with ERP, so there's absolutely hope! The key for me is (and this sounds obvious, I know) to stop checking every time you have an unnerving thought. Whether that is mirrors, driving around the block, etc. This is very difficult at first, but it's crucial to remind yourself that every time you check, your brain will just find another way to convince you that something bad happened. Even if you get the short term relief, OCD always finds a way to twist it in a negative manner. Unfortunately, short-term relief does not help -- the key is to postpone checking when you feel the OCD popping up, and there is no "logical" reason to check. Same goes for scrolling through the news -- ultimately, it's not helpful.
@KaiH Thank you so much for replying! I’m so happy you were able to have success with your hit and run ocd! That gives me hope, how did you deal with the thoughts of “ maybe I hit someone” when you stopped checking?
@OCD&ME Sorry I didn't see this reply earlier! For me, when I was able to postpone (or cut out) the checking as much as possible, the distress level went gradually down over time, even if it was higher at first. If this makes sense, the more often you are able to deny OCD what it wants when it is telling you to do something, the more often you have a chance to train your brain that you don't need OCD to keep you safe. I totally still have the intrusive fears while driving, but they subside more quickly now because I have trained my brain that I will not respond to them in the way that OCD wants. A bit of OCD recovery is being stubborn against the commands it gives you and developing a more accepting relationship with manageable risks in everyday life :) don't be discouraged, you can get there. I'm certainly not totally there yet either, but I hope this message helps a bit.
That is exactly how I was. I made my ocd worse because I started to record every time I would drive. It made me feel “safe.” It ended up being a ritual that I was doing. Now it’s hard for me to drive without recording. I’m freaking out right now about my drive home today as well. My therapist tells me to try and think about going two more minutes at a time. So if I had a bad thought, then keep going for two minutes. By that time, my ocd usually subsides a little. Then I go two more minutes and so forth until I get to where I’m going. Playing music helps me sometimes too. Create a playlist of your favorite songs and try to enjoy them while you drive.
@Brad Spencer Thank you so much for replying! I’m sorry that you are having anxiety about your drive home today! You’re not alone I’m right there with you! Thank you for the tip! I normally keep my radio off unless I have someone in the car, you know so I can “hear” if anything happens while I’m driving -but I’m going to take your advice and create a playlist and try it out.. I will also try that 2 minute suggestion, it’s so difficult just getting from A to B 😫
I sing to myself after the oh no did I hit someone thought arises. “It was just a curb” - one of my go to’s. I find I seek reassurance a lot with calling my mom or checking my car/news I try to not do that as my first attempt.
@Anonymous Thank you so much!! I will try that! I understand, I ask my brother all the time for reassurance. It’s so hard not to try and get reassurance
As someone who has driving anxiety I understand. Anytime I drive on the highway I get scared that a piece of road debris is going to fly into my windshield and kill me
I do, I’m actually experiencing it now. I drove past a car and a guy was coming out as I was Turing the curve and I was little too close to the guy. I drove past but the thoughts instantly went to I hit the guy and drove off. Now I’m checking the news to see if anything happened.
I am new to this, and really hope it helps. I have pretty severe driving OCD. It has definitely gotten progressively worse. Every bump in the road I hit, every bicyclist, every-time I have to drive on the highway I constantly worry that I hit someone or caused an accident. Some of the rituals I have been experiencing include driving around the “scene” multiple times, checking my rear view mirror (a lot), checking the local news to see if there were any accidents in the area. I have to have my husband confirm there is no damage on my car... it’s endless. To put it plainly, it is beyond exhausting. It’s also pretty lonely as the majority of people I tell have no clue or just look at me like I have 10 heads. If anyone else goes through this my heart is with you, it’s awful.
I have severe hit and run OCD. not sure who is on this app but wanted to connect with other people with OCD. I always worry I hit someone while driving and have to go back to check and make sure there’s no one on the ground. Anyone else out there dealing with this?
Anyone have HIT AND RUN OCD? If so any pointers to help me?
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