ADHD and Driving
ByWhen people are considering taking medication for ADD or ADHD, they often feel that it is really optional, and there are no major consequences if they don’t actually take the medicine.
Research is clearly showing that when people with ADD/ADHD get behind the wheel – there is a serious increase in risk for tickets, accidents and injuries.
I recently had the opportunity to interview a leading researcher in ADHD and driving – named: Dr. Daniel Cox. He is on a mission to help people to know the dangers – as his research clearly shows that when drivers are taking their medication, the risks of accidents and death are much lower.
To watch this interview, visit ADHD and Driving.
This is a very important interview for saftey being the wheel. I suggest that you watch it, and forward it to friends and family who may benefit from this information.
Best,
Dr. Kenny
p.s. ADHD TV is a video podcast on ADHD. Why not sign up to receive updates automatically via iTunes? On the top right of www.ADHD.TV, you can click on a link on the top right corner to watch a video on how to do it easily
Technorati Tags: ADHD, ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder, Driving, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Concerta, Adderall XR
Very interesting. I explain to patients with ADD what they can and cannot expect from stimulant medication. I almost always begin by addressing the difference between “focus” with a little “f” and “Focus” with a big “F.” The former involves how well you stay with a clearly chosen task once you have chosen and begun it. The latter is entirely different. It involves who you are, what matters to you, and what you have chosen to do. It’s about how you develop your executive functioning.
Medicine is useful but not sufficient on its own for Focus. It will not organize you unless you specifically choose to use improved focus for the purpose of choosing what to focus on. Stimulant medication can be wonderful for pure task performance, but it will not be helpful unless the individual has become a connoisseur of his or her own attention and motivation.
Fascinating interview!
I did not need validation that ADHD and driving do not mix. as I chronicle in my book, “Dear Mary: My Life with ADHD,” some of my most intense daydreaming occurred when I was motoring down the road. Impulsive decisions also led to some unfortunate events.
I never took meds for ADHD because I did not find out about it until I was 44 years old. I am interested in seeing if meds help others who struggle with ADHd and driving.
I was diagnosed with moderately severe ADHD at age 46. I decided to go on meds – it took about two years to find a good combination for me (Adderall and Trezadone). It makes a BIG difference.
One is in my driving. The Phd. who diagnosed me commented that I had an unusual driving record – i.e. no accidents (except for a totaled Subaru spin out on ice, but that’s another story). What makes the difference is how much calmer I am. No more steering wheel pounding because I couldn’t remember whether I needed to go north or south, better retention of directions, and the biggest difference … Far less energy to drive, as I have the ability to focus on the drive and am not spending so much energy struggling to stay on track.
its good information about ADD and driving.last time my friend told me about this article and he watched the interview so i also want to know about this ADD and driving so i visited this blog and read this article carefully so i liked it very much. so as per the article Dr. Daniel Cox is on a mission to help people to know the dangers – as his research clearly shows that when drivers are taking their medication, the risks of accidents and death are much lower.so its interesting so i would like to say thank to u to give this useful information so i would also like to appreciate to your efforts.
What I find really peculiar is that I take Adderall (immediate release) and the pharmacists ALWAYS sticks one of those labels on my Rx bottle that says “Warning may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery”….The complete opposite is true—My ability to drive WITHOUT the medication is where the impairment is. I know that I need to take my medic ation to concentrate on driving so I don’t injure myself or others. I’ve never understood why they label the medication like that.