Hi Julie, here are some comments for you from the community:
Tania
Can totally relate to Julie's nervousness. I got back driving 2 years after my stroke and 4 years on I still get nervous sometimes in city traffic. But I just stick to the road rules and take it easy. If I start to have anxiety, I find a safe place to pull over and run through some relaxation techniques. I've now driven from Adelaide to Alice Springs to raise funds for the Stroke Foundation, drove to a tourism conference from Barossa to Port Lincoln and regularly drive into Adelaide for business meetings. I live in the Barossa Valley. So, Julie - you can do it. Just take it one step at a time and you'll regain your confidence in no time.
Clive
I was like that when returning to driving, I spent weeks just building confidence while driving locally. The independence it brought was amazing, then driving further each time
Basia
🚗🚙 Any form of anxiety & driving following a stroke is completely normal. Time is the key & when you are ready. Sit in the vehicle when alone & just familiarise yourself with everything first. Frequent small steps will be the biggest achievements you can make. I would suggest driving to familiar places locally on a daily basis. Start with quieter times away from peak traffic ie. 11am & gradually build this up to driving of an evening. Also increase the distances and complexity of driving ie. quieter streets first then progress to roundabouts, busier intersections then to multi lane roads when completely ready.
Don’t be afraid to pull over, step out of the vehicle & take a moment before proceeding again. Take a family member or friend & the handbrake is always available for a passenger if ever in an emergency situation. Music may also be calming but ensure that your choice is not distracting. Being able to plan your journey & fulfilling this is a huge achievement even if it is just to your local club or church. Being able to drive is the best form of independence. Best wishes 🚗🚙
Cheryl
Omgoodness that’s me totally...I still don’t have my license back. I didn’t realise that I had to have doctors approval and I drove down my road and found it really difficult to work out depth perception on another level again. It completely freaked me out. I told my doctor and she said...you can’t drive yet and you’re definitely not ready. That was a couple of months ago and she is deciding whether or not I’m fit to drive next week. I feel exactly the same as Julie because I am prone to panic attacks while driving anyway. I had a stroke in early July this year and I have invisible injuries to my brain.
Vanessa
Dad would have had to re-sit the driving test but as he was already 84 at the time of his stroke, he felt that it was best he no longer drove, so he has a taxi card or myself or my sister take him and mum wherever they need to go. With English being his second language and the rules significantly changing since he got his license, there was no way he would have passed anyway, plus it was close to $400 for the test.
Jasmine
I was restricted to 10km radius when i started i think i had that for like a yr or 2. Then brought a car i felt safe in driving long distance and qualified for open no more restrictions and now im off to echuca friday 5hrs away. I just take all day to get up and if i can stay i will. Rural roads arent scary like traffic but, u can always get lessons. X
Catherine
I was the same, still am not confident driving places I’m not familiar with. Take it slow and have a plan for if you do get stuck somewhere.
Leasha
The only real way she’ll get over the fear is by continuing to practice locally, and then just jumping head first into it.
I was terrified to use the highway at first when I got back on the road, and if I’m honest I’m still not 100% comfortable driving on it, but I just threw myself at the challenge, took a deep breath & did it.
Other than that she could practice driving at night when it’s less busy.
Linda
Panic attacks and staying focused are the two big struggles I had when I was back driving again. Slowly confidence has returned but I wont drive too far on my own.
Colin
at your own time and pace, no shame in stopping somewhere should it get too much and sit in a park or BBQ area and watch the world go by until you feel right to go again, don't be rushed
Chris
Yes it's happened to me. Mine was caused by a car accident and I had counselling. Was taught to do deep breathing and tell myself " you got this " I am better now. Sometimes I feel like one could start so I turn up the radio and sing. Works for me. Good luck. It's not the best thing to deal with.
Suzie
When I was returning to driving I had an OT assessment with a driving instructor included. I don’t drive further than 45 mins or in the late afternoon or night . Usually I know when I shouldn’t drive and that’s why I was cleared to drive .