Is it normal to have these thoughts when driving?

[Flamingoflop]

I have been a driver for over 20 years. I often drive and don't think about it however recently I have been increasingly having thoughts like 'it would be so easy just to turn the wheel and crash into that tree etc'. I am not suicidal or depressed but my mind keeps focussing on how easy it would be to crash lately. I was wondering if this is normal and everyone has these thoughts from time to time when driving?

i think it's normal to wonder what that would be like, would you survive, how bad would it be. Same as "if" you jumped off a big building or did something lewd or started a pointless row. Doesn't mean you want any of it to happen, but humans are curious about whatIfs.

Are you sure you’re not feeling low or worrying about something?

I get those thoughts when driving but only when I’m struggling with depression and everything is getting a bit much.

Yeah completely normal I have them all the time not just driving like just in general like throwing the baby down the stairs or stabbing some or pushing someone down the stairs. Obviously I'd never act on it. I spoke to my therapist about it once and she said its completely normal everyone has these thoughts just some more then others

Sounds like intrusive thoughts. Sometimes it can actually be a fear. Like standing on a bridge and thinking I could just jump and I'd be dead, you don't want to do it but your brain processes how easy it would be to do probably as part of basic understanding of mortality.

They’re called intrusive thoughts. They’re normal depending on the degree to which they impact your life. If they start becoming louder or more worrying or start interfering with how you live your daily life, you should talk to someone.

I do it all the time and not just when driving, it's perfectly normal.

To an extent yes. Same way I always wonder what it would be like to fall from the sky when I'm on a plane. Not that I'd ever want to try!!

Yes, intrusive thoughts. I have them a lot with many things including driving. The key is to not give them any power and let them float past like clouds.. they’re just thoughts, they’re not reality

I bought myself a new laptop and every single time I am having a cup of tea while using it, I find myself thinking about pouring the cup over the keyboard. I know in my own head that it's weird and I have no idea why I am thinking about doing it.

It's called the call of the void, it's a known psychological phenomenon and nothing to worry about. If you get it a lot and struggle to divert your mind then it could be a sign of some deeper conflicts that you need to work through.

https://owenscounseling.com/call-of-the-void/

The imp of the perverse! Fine as long as it doesn’t become overwhelming

Thanks all that is very reassuring. I have been experiencing a lot of stress lately so could be linked but reassured to see it is a common experience.

Came on to post this. It’s a well known phenomenon - the French call it “L’appel du vide”, which is where the “call of the void” comes from.

https://www.healthline.com/health/call-of-the-void#:~:text=The%20call%20of%20the%20void%20(in%20French%2C%20l'appel,to%20do%20with%20suicidal%20ideation.

Intrusive thoughts. I have them all the time, it blew my mind talking to my DH and realising that errr, no not everyone has them.

I have them about driving, stepping into oncoming traffic, pushing someone or myself under a train, dangling myself off a motorway bridge...I am pretty confident I never would, I just have this curious, reckless, impulsive side.

It's normal for a lot of people; it's a type of intrusive thought and doesn't necessarily reflect one's outlook on life.

I have therapy for OCD and was shown the below to show how common intrusive thoughts are.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/274512377/Ocd-Normal-Intrusions

I have many times and I have absolutely no suicide ideation.

yep normal

Yes, I've always had them. I'm a very sensible, trundle-y driver.

Occasionally, I wouldn't think it is an issue. I sometimes wonder what it would be like if I just kept driving onwards for miles and miles, and didn't go home. I have no intention of ever doing that, it is just a random thought.

I wonder what constitutes a "disgusting sex act" on the third page!

Our gym has a open area in the middle which you could jump down to the pool from (and likely die or be paralysed from). I frequently think about that - even though I have no intention of doing it.

Really glad you posted this as I have these thoughts and often wondered if anyone else does. Every time I fly I think, what would happen if the plane lost engine power etc. I'm not scared of flying but it's more just wondering ......

I get it on train platforms. I thinks its fine -

I get this all the time - what if I drove at speed into this lorry coming at me, what if I swerved into that cyclist, what if threw the dog out of the car window, that sort of thing. It looks horrendous written down, but when I had counselling for anxiety a while back I was assured these type of thoughts are very common, albeit very upsetting for the person thinking them.

Disclaimer - I have no intention of doing any of the above, I am a very law abiding person.

I have always had them. The first one I ever remember was thinking about standing up and screaming during assembly at primary school. I am a conformist and a people-pleaser so I have never reacted to any of these thoughts. When I first told DH about them 30+ years ago he thought I was bonkers.