Mental Illness & Driving

Will being diagnosed with social anxiety bar me from getting back on the road?

I don't think that would disqualify you. When you're a solo driver there's no one around to talk to and no one around to judge you. Some days you don't even talk to a single person.

What I did see happening is that your training will be more difficult for you. You're under constant judgement and criticism and fear that you'll be booted from training will make your life harder. The instructors are constantly looking at your performance as well as your trainer. So you might have a few problems along the way to becoming a solo driver but I don't think this will stop you if you are determined.

I am on medication so I can get through the classes my main concern is the ODOT questions and having to tell a company that there is an anxiety issue.

I don't think that would disqualify you. When you're a solo driver there's no one around to talk to and no one around to judge you. Some days you don't even talk to a single person.

What I did see happening is that your training will be more difficult for you. You're under constant judgement and criticism and fear that you'll be booted from training will make your life harder. The instructors are constantly looking at your performance as well as your trainer. So you might have a few problems along the way to becoming a solo driver but I don't think this will stop you if you are determined.

As long as the Ohio DOT can't disqualify because of it, I will be good! That damn physical with the mental questions is my most concerning.

The prescription medication you're on has to be reported. They'll have to know what you're taking and why because it will show up in a drug test. You also have to make sure that the prescription you're taking is approved for commercial driving. You can ask any doctor that gives DOT physicals if it would be approved or not. If not, you'll have to have your doctor switch you to something else.

I'm just going to throw this out there - there's a lot of pressure in trucking and you'll often find yourself holding up a lot of angry people while you're trying to maneuver that rig. You have to be able to ignore it. You'll be backing in off of busy streets, pulling wide around corners in busy intersections, and doing all kinds of other stuff that's going to bring a lot of attention to you.

I have a book that's free to read online called Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving and it has a lot of stories in there from my time on the road. Some of them are about times when I had no choice but to have part of an interstate closed down to get out of a predicament or the police had to close down all of the streets around City Hall in downtown Phoenix so I could get backed in - things like that. Have a look through my book and you'll see how much pressure there can be in trucking. I just wanted you to be aware of that.

Any one know of a company that will give me a chance even with coming off disability? I explain things but i don't seem to have any luck. I really wanna get back on the road but seem to be hitting a wall here. I need a refresher too so that makes it even harder, I could really use some suggestions. Thanx

Giovanni, you just need to apply where ever you can. Someone will take you on. Being on disability and now coming off it won't be a huge thing..it will just take a company that will listen and understand where you are at in your life. All it takes is one company...and all it takes is for you to find it. If you have a driving background, and don't have tickets, or abandoned truck issues, or any of that stuff that scares em off, I can see you going right back into trucking. You didn't say how long its been, and that will tell you whether you will need to go thru a refresher school, or just go out with one of their drivers for a bit. Either way..if its what you want go for it !! You can pm me if you want to. But my advise is to just start sending out apps and see who calls. Good Luck !!

The prescription medication you're on has to be reported. They'll have to know what you're taking and why because it will show up in a drug test. You also have to make sure that the prescription you're taking is approved for commercial driving. You can ask any doctor that gives DOT physicals if it would be approved or not. If not, you'll have to have your doctor switch you to something else.

I'm just going to throw this out there - there's a lot of pressure in trucking and you'll often find yourself holding up a lot of angry people while you're trying to maneuver that rig. You have to be able to ignore it. You'll be backing in off of busy streets, pulling wide around corners in busy intersections, and doing all kinds of other stuff that's going to bring a lot of attention to you.

I have a book that's free to read online called Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving and it has a lot of stories in there from my time on the road. Some of them are about times when I had no choice but to have part of an interstate closed down to get out of a predicament or the police had to close down all of the streets around City Hall in downtown Phoenix so I could get backed in - things like that. Have a look through my book and you'll see how much pressure there can be in trucking. I just wanted you to be aware of that.

Thank you, Brett. I have my own share of anxiety issues, as well. The bad side, as you pointed out, is that many drivers will get ticked off at the trucker. Plus, the anxiety of making difficult backing maneuvers, and the like. The good side of trucking is that the driver is by himself - not like being in an office where he may experience dozens of uncomfortable or unpleasant face-to-face interactions every day. That's what got me out of the office and into trucking.

After 9 years, I traded the cubicle for a rolling closet...and never looked back...I'd have lost my sanity, and been one of those "gone postal" people they show on tv....I hated the office politics...loved my job...hated the politics.

The prescription medication you're on has to be reported. They'll have to know what you're taking and why because it will show up in a drug test. You also have to make sure that the prescription you're taking is approved for commercial driving. You can ask any doctor that gives DOT physicals if it would be approved or not. If not, you'll have to have your doctor switch you to something else.

I'm just going to throw this out there - there's a lot of pressure in trucking and you'll often find yourself holding up a lot of angry people while you're trying to maneuver that rig. You have to be able to ignore it. You'll be backing in off of busy streets, pulling wide around corners in busy intersections, and doing all kinds of other stuff that's going to bring a lot of attention to you.

I have a book that's free to read online called Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving and it has a lot of stories in there from my time on the road. Some of them are about times when I had no choice but to have part of an interstate closed down to get out of a predicament or the police had to close down all of the streets around City Hall in downtown Phoenix so I could get backed in - things like that. Have a look through my book and you'll see how much pressure there can be in trucking. I just wanted you to be aware of that.

Thank you, Brett. I have my own share of anxiety issues, as well. The bad side, as you pointed out, is that many drivers will get ticked off at the trucker. Plus, the anxiety of making difficult backing maneuvers, and the like. The good side of trucking is that the driver is by himself - not like being in an office where he may experience dozens of uncomfortable or unpleasant face-to-face interactions every day. That's what got me out of the office and into trucking.

Well I might have gotten Lucky! CR England says they will take me, they are aware of all issues, all meds. Scary thing is im hearing a lot of bad **** about them, Just praying it goes smoothly. I spoke to Dr Hendrix @ CR England personally and all I need is a letter from my DR that says its safe to drive. Crossing fingers!