I’m often asked if I can drive or not due to my schizoaffective disorder. The answer for me is yes, but it’s a bit more complicated as a broader topic than that. Come for a drive with me while I share my thoughts and experiences with driving and psychosis.
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Some states will take your license away which is unfair
Hi, hope you are doing well today, Lauren. Unfortunately, the problem about ppl on internet is that they will comment on things they don't know or don't understand. The experiences you shared with us lately were really personal, and therefore intimate and unique. I don't have schizoaffective disorder, but when I'm struggling with my mental health, I take my car and drive. It's so relaxing to me.
I personally think you shouldn't explain yourself to the internet. I was worried when you told us you drove in psychosis, of course it was scary! I can imagine how scary it was for Rob. But I totally agree with you. It seems so simple to say you should'nt be aloud to have your license. Fortunately it's not how we deal with mental healthy disorders. But I think we have to talk more about this. I love your vision on it, that there is no right answer, actually. Because the experience is different for different people.
Take care, thank you for opening yourself more to us lately. I appreciate it and hope you feel understood and supported here, too. Xx❤
My son has schizo effective disorder he has license but he won’t drive he on the injection
I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder 4 years ago when I was a teenager. I've just recently started driving lessons so this video jumps in at a perfect time in my life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSfpSOBD30U …nice wears Waldo/running of alpha Romeos shirt… What are qualifying questions? https://youtu.be/PtDuUieRiLI?t=17 l've had problems with gluttony. Unconscionable generalizes the edge of Occam's razor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvDhYpS3q-w
“Maybe I shouldn’t have”. No you shouldn’t have. You focus on keeping your family safe, how about drivers?
Just curious… what do you order from starbucks?
I don't drive. I never learned. I'm deathly afraid of cars. But also having bipolar disorder I'm afraid of driving while manic or psychotic. I do when I'm in those states often take off walking, sometimes late at night without a phone, and just randomly lose myself. I think it's safest if I bring a phone or do it during the day. But I get what you mean about flow states.
Honestly, if your doctor isn't concerned enough to put you on restriction, than you should still be able to drive. If your condition is considered managed/controlled by your health care provider there is no reason you shouldn't drive if you feel able to. Now, that also means you are responsible for the consequences if something happens and you do choose to drive when you are too impaired to drive.
I take around 14 different medications for mental and physical health conditions. I take the majority of them at night, because the biggest symptom from most of them is drowsiness/slowed reaction time/decreased alertness. But I have an emergency medication for anxiety, gabapentin (for nerve pain), and a medication to control muscle spasms/muscle rigidity. Those are multiple doses a day meds (3-4 times per day) if I take them as prescribed. Sometimes, I have to make the choice to skip those medications if I have to drive. I also have narcolepsy and have NEVER been on driving restriction because it is well managed. Now, I do know it is on me to make smart choices about when I am too impaired to drive (I have had to pull over and sleep before).
Having a condition that SOMETIMES makes you too impaired to drive is not a reason to have your license taken away.
It's like saying a type 1 diabetic shouldn't have a license in case their blood sugar gets low
When I see you checking your blind spots by actually turning your head, it makes me think you are far down the list of whose safe driving ability we should question 🙄.
I think you’re pretty 💟 Your husband is very lucky 😇
I am so glad you are able to drive. I am also glad you discussed this topic. Society has put out such a conflicting stance….you should be responsible (IE elimination of asylum system) but there is the flip side of restrictions in society (like not having a license). We are still people and being ultra aware of symptom management with a mental illness is the only way to navigate.
Your boyfriend is so lucky to have you.
Thanks Lauren.🎉
These messages are always helpful, astute and insightful.
😊
Love the comparison to awareness around drinking alcohol and driving. 💯
The idea that there are people who believe those struggling with mental illness shouldn't be allowed to have a driver's license is scary. These people actually want our rights taken away because we have illnesses, and that's horrific. While I understand that some people with severe mental illness can't drive for one reason or another (I can't drive because of how severe my anxiety is, for example), the idea of an actual law taking our rights away is disgusting.
Great video as usual, though! Car rides are super calming to me too (unless the road is really busy or something, then I can get nervous), especially rides through rural areas. I never thought actually driving could be calming for someone too, since the idea scares me so much.
Try taking vitamin D.
Thank you for sharing so much with us. I admire you a lot, you have educated me so much. I would like to see a video about the things you are proud of yourself, you are such a strong and intelligent woman. I love your point of view and how generous you are with us sharing your experience.❤
lauren, one curiosity that I have:
do you deal with any cognitive symptoms or declining?
Hi there. I also have schizoaffective disorder. I know not one drug well suited for everyone. But my antipsychotic is Invega. It is a shot you take once month or every 3 months or even every 6 months. I am located in the United States. So, I am not sure if it is available in Canada. I take it because I have less side effects from this medication than others I have tired. The best part is not having to worry about taking medication at a sorting time in the day. Just an appointment date set on the calendar.
I love you so so much I feel like I understand a little bit of what you have been through and I just think you are so strong for doing what your doing
Try lithium orotate
I think the Jews invented psychiatry to study gentiles and keep them from true healing to profit by. 😢
I believe the biggest mistake was believing the lie of the diagnosis becoming obsessed with it by intellectualizing and analyzing it. The primary focus is over intellectualizing this matter for pride and ego.
Whatever problem you think you have is really a form of self hatred because God didn’t create you to obsess over your alleged imperfections.
Accepting the weakness you believe you have and asking forgiveness from Jesus Christ asking Him into your life is the best thing to do along with reading the New Testament. Demonic entities may be blocking access to certain parts of the brain, etc.
Thank you for your honesty. Great channel.
Hi thank you for your videos. I have schizoaffective disorder. Iv really scared myself driving recently. I have been struggling a bit today and your videos just just make me feel less alone. So thank you ❤️
Some people who have schizophrenia can drive. Some people shouldn't drive.
I know a man who thought that the government was following him. He looked backwards as much as forewards while driving and wrecked a couple of cars.
A couple of friends have schizophrenia and they are good drivers. I feel fine driving with them. It really depends on the person.
I do something similar, and just circle a lake and check out the multi million dollar mansions the are on the water. I usually get a beverage too, but it's an energy drink.
❤❤❤❤❤
This kind of driving sounds like a stim. I understand completely!
I have some similar issues to schizophrenia, and I find what you said about driving also applies to a long list of other things including weapons/tools, chemicals, cooking, and the list goes on. Having a good support system is how it is all manageable.
Everyone thinks it's just pot that fucks with psychosis but caffeine fucks with it too. I think it's mainly when ur going off the mess but still lol
Do you have a bdsm style relation with your boyfriend? You keep giving clues that point to that, for me personally. It's not our business, but just curious :> Thanks for the vid once again.
Doesnt seem at all schizophrenic
Mrs Melanie the bitcoin trader is legit and her method works like magic I keep on earning every single week with her new strategy
thank you for playing Vampire Weekend; I love that song
While I wouldn’t know about “allowed” my 13 year partner and father of my 3 kids did it a LOT (against my wishes he took my car in the middle of the night) but while he was in (adderall) induced psychosis for many years he definitely drove a LOT. That was the thing to actually bring him back to “reality” if that makes sense. and he somehow managed to never get pulled over (aside from one time) at least after many nights of not sleeping! I don’t know if it’s just me but I do not like driving when I don’t sleep. Definitely not at all saying this is a positive thing to do! (Unfortunately he is dead now) not due to driving but due to a sudden heart attack at the age of 35. my 3 kids unfortunately had to be there when it happened. And had to deal with knowing he was driving while not exactly himself when he was doing it. So now it’s harder for me to explain to them exactly “when” your “ok” to drive or not ok to drive.
Boasting that you drive a car under the influence of drugs in which every manufacturer warns against it is at least imprudent.
It's like giving evidence to an insurance company in the event of an accident.
I was just diagnosed with schizophrenia (at 49) and I can completely relate to this. I know when I feel well enough to drive (arguably, I know😂), and I avoid driving when I don’t feel like I can handle it (when I’m in active psychosis). My thoughts on driving are this: your driving record/history should be the reason to keep or revoke your license, not a mental illness. Any individual can choose to drink and drive, use a substance and drive, or drive while upset, possibly causing an accident. I agree that there is gray area involved depending on the individual’s level of incapacitation from their mental illness. In general, I believe that if someone feels comfortable while driving, they should still be allowed to do so. For me personally, I know I am going to be much more careful every time before I get behind the wheel because I know I have an extra challenge to deal with.
Have you talked to a lawyer before posting this? All sounds legit but might still count as incriminating yourself…
Honestly, I think people should mind their own goddamn business. On a more positive note, my OCD brain totally gets the counter-clockwise-only vibe!