Why You Need To Read This If You Are Driving Under Depression

With the shocking death of famed comedian, Robin Williams, in the news, there are countless stories, tweets, and posts about depression. Depression is a serious mental disorder that strikes countless north americans, but often goes unreported given the stigma that surrounds it. Moreover, depression can impact many areas of one's life, especially if one takes medication for it.

But does depression effect one's ability to drive? It is important to note that depression is not just a feeling of prolonged sadness, but, according to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the definitive, if not contentious, manual for mental disorders), involves at least five of the following nine states:

• Irritability most if not everyday
• Decreased interest in pleasure
• Significant weight change or change of appetite
• Change in sleeping patterns: insomnia or hypersomnia
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Guilt or worthlessness: feelings of worthlessness and/or prolonged guilt
• Concentration: diminished ability to think, concentrate, and make decisions
• Suicidality: Thoughts of suicide and/or having a suicidal plan

These symptoms of depression reveal significant problem areas for drivers who suffer from depression: 

• Irritability that is often a large part of depression will cause a driver to be restless, aggressive, and perhaps even prone to road rage
• The change in sleeping patterns can cause one to be drowsy behind the wheel or over tired and unable to think and react to emergent road conditions
• Fatigue and loss of energy, as well as diminished concentration, will retard cognitive-motor functioning needed to respond to emergent road condition

If one is taking medication for depression, the complications for driving can increase. According to a report by St. Joseph's Health Care of London, Ontario, it is critical that physician feels your medications are stable and that one is on maintenance doses. And any dosage readjustment should initially be carefully monitored by a physician to observe any evidence of side-effects, such as drowsiness that can impair one's ability to drive.  

Given the complications of driving while taking medication for depression, St. Joseph's advises having a comprehensive evaluation by a physician before getting behind the wheel that includes:

• Review of medical history and medications
• Functional ability
• Vision
• Reaction time
• Behind the wheel evaluation

If you or someone you know is having difficulty driving due to depression, a driver evaluation may be critical. It's better to have a driver rehabilitation specialist provide you with a comprehensive evaluation than to suffer from a harmful or fatal accident.