[fdsotr]

Can a person with schizoaffective disorder and depression swings, taking meds, safely drive a car?

[Victoria'smom]

I don't see why not.

[Sometimes psychotic]

Yes usually....sometimes you'll get hallucinations In The road if you're unmedicated but with meds it should be fine.......

[neodoering]

It probably depends on how strong the side effects of your meds are. I've had meds that made me dizzy, and I sure as hell didn't drive under those meds. Other meds made me throw up fairly frequently; can you picture yourself suddenly hurling all over your windshield, or onto the person in the driver's seat?

Only you know what kind of side effects you have, and how strong they are. As for your SZA, what symptoms do you experience? I have an imaginary girlfriend who sometimes finds it quite funny to get me to not look both ways when crossing against the traffic light. Almost been hit, several times now. If you have symptoms like that, my answer would be, "hell no, don't drive while SZA."

[fdsotr]

Thank you for replying. My 30 year old step-son is the one with this illness. He says he doesn't have visual hallucinations but he hears voices. Wouldn't that affect safe driving? He really needs the freedom driving allows but not if he can't stay focused. Is this a problem for other sufferers?

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by fdsotr

Thank you for replying. My 30 year old step-son is the one with this illness. He says he doesn't have visual hallucinations but he hears voices. Wouldn't that affect safe driving? He really needs the freedom driving allows but not if he can't stay focused. Is this a problem for other sufferers?

It would be roughly like talking to someone else in the car, people do it all the time.

When very symptomatic I don't drive. I consider it driving under the influence. But when not symptomatic I would trust myself driving more than anyone else I know.

[Tsunamisurfer]

I have found that Seroquel and some strong anxiolytics when I had just come out of hospital made it harder to stay focused and aware of distances and slowed down my reaction times, so I didn't drive when on those. But most of my meds don't affect me badly and I drive without a problem. I avoid driving in heavy traffic because I find it stressful and not sustainable if I'm to avoid another episode of psychosis. That isn't because I'm not capable - it's just a personal preference to manage my anxiety and stress.

[fdsotr]

Thanks to all of you for your input.