If You Live With ADHD, You Might Struggle With This Common Driving Issue

Before getting in your car, take note of how you’re feeling.

Are you tired? Are you distracted because of an argument with your partner? This way, you can decide if you have the faculties to safely operate your car. And this is true for anyone — not just those with ADHD, said Cronenwett.

“Any number of things influence somebody’s risk more than just the strict presence or absence of a label,” he said.

If you don’t feel focused enough to drive, don’t do it. 

“I think we can all agree that distracted drivers, or inattentive drivers, are at risk for having car crashes, and they should certainly be very, very careful in their own driving habits,” said Cronenwett.

Once again, people can be distracted because they’re tired, because of stressful social situations or even from depression and anxiety, he added.

“So, any type of inattentive or distracted driving puts somebody at risk,” he said.

If you don’t have an ADHD diagnosis and want one, Morrison said it could be a good idea to find a doctor or therapist in the field who has an understanding of ADHD and can help you learn more about how your brain works so you can efficiently and safely move through the world.

For people who can’t get diagnosed because of a lack of insurance coverage, long appointment wait times or for whatever reason, Morrison recommends mindfulness as a way to combat distractions.

“Be aware of your body in space and your breath for a few minutes at a time, and let thoughts move in and out … you’re just experiencing what it’s like to be in your body at that moment in time. [It] can be really helpful because it gives your brain a chance to run around off its leash, if you will, and it also gives you practice being present without distracting yourself and without stimulation,” Morrison noted.

“And when you’re driving, it can be boring — so, basically you’re practicing getting bored,” she said.

It can also be helpful to train your brain to move slower, said Morrison — “because the ADHD brain wants to go fast and it wants to be efficient, even though, arguably, it can be very inefficient at times.” Instead of rushing to prep food or unpack your groceries, take your time while doing it, said Morrison.

“[This] can be helpful just to help your body become more comfortable with that inefficiency or that slowness,” Morrison noted.

“Your body and brain want to move fast, and that’s not always the safest option when driving, so you’re literally helping your body to practice being slow and inefficient, to just get used to that discomfort,” she said.

When you’re driving, Morrison said it’s a good idea to avoid audiobooks or music that you hyper-focus on, and instead turn on options that hold your attention, but don’t totally distract you from the road.

And it goes without saying, you should not be looking at your phone while driving (this goes for everyone — ADHD or not), said Morrison.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.