ESA

Thank you.

ESA50
Question 11

DRIVING is 'classed' as a more complex task!!

I am 53 and have held a licence since 1981.
I do not have a partner.

Whilst I do drive fairly regularly where to and who with varies and even then have had major anxiety attacks and have had several experiences which have left me very agitated and I get confused and make mistakes. Luckily so far nothing drastic thankfully.

I can sometimes drive short distances to FAMILIAR places (I could walk but prefer not to) I might meet someone that I don't wish to talk to because of my depression/anxiety. Bearing in mind familiar means to see my GP, collect my medication, visit my elderly and infirm parents (about 1-2 times a week at the most) (and a couple of other local places on my own, if not on my own my child/children accompany me. I say familiar because I have lived in the same village for more than half my life.

What would class as local I am talking up to 5 miles. My parents, GP, chemist and a Tesco Express and a couple of other places are no more if that than a mile from me. I go to a supermarket 1-2 times a fortnight and I am accompanied.

Above is familiar places now I deal with driving to UNFAMILIAR places that includes local places. I would not and will not go anywhere that is unfamiliar or I do not know where I am going unaccompanied. My child/children or someone else always accompanies me.


The car came with a built-in Sat Nav but even after over 3 years I have not been able to master how to use it even after many attempts at trying to learn and/or been shown how to use it.

I am asking all this about driving as obviously this is not a new task to me however I would not even contemplate to begin to learn now.

I ask this under Question 11 because of problems I have with 'more complex tasks', such as using and topping up my mobile phone, using complicated things on the computer, setting an automatic timer for cooking times on/off on my oven, setting boiler on/off times and changing the time twice a year, using my microwave for more complicated uses, playing a DVD in a player. My washing machine, I only use 2 programmes and that consists of pressing one button for on, one button for start and turning a dial for a programme.

So sorry about all this under one question.

Thank you so much

That's okay

Just reading your reply has set of my anxiety but thank you anyway.

To be honest I thought you may say that about driving, but when you are the only person in the house who drives, can't afford taxis, and buses do not run that often the last bus is at 7pm and one day of the week no buses run at all, what am I suppose to do. I don't want to have to rely on other people.

Thank you.

I have a number of different physical and mental illnesses, and even if I write sentence about each in the relevant sections, I over spill.