Son driving

[Dreamer2027]

My son passed his Driving test recently and to do with the way I am I wish he hadn't. I do have Anxiety and depression. I'm hating that he's driving and could be in a crash it is taking over my life. I do suffer from Depression. I am very sad in life, I cry every day, I wake up feeling miserable in the mornings I do not take anti depressants as a gp once told me they aren't Happy Pills but I'm now drowning in fear that my son will be in a crash. Would I be unreasonable to try to seek help from another gp? I can't talk to any family or friends though about this. I can't tell my gp my Anxiety is through the roof and I'm drowning in fear and crying that my son will be in a crash? This is no happy way to live. Any advice help support from mumsnetters appreciated.

Oh you sound like things have really got on top of you. Of course you should go and see your GP and as soon as possible. Antidepressants are a tool to help you manage your emotions when they are overwhelming and debilitating. They work best when combined with therapy.

go see your GP, ask for help, you deserve to be happier than this.

I think it’s a natural reaction. We worry for our kids. My son has been driving for few years now, and I still get anxious.

Can you out simple strategies in place such as ask him to text you when he arrives at his destination. Make sure his car had plenty of fuel in it, and is well maintained. Also, have you got breakdown cover?

I agree with a previous poster OP, get yourself to your doctor a.s.a.p. preferably not the one you saw before, who was obviously a real misery guts, as so many people call them 'happy pill's, simply because they make you feel happy again, when you've been miserable.

I have been on anti depressants for two thirds of my life, they just keep me on an even keel, but even if I'm weaned off of them slowly, after a few months I go downhill. So please don't be scared to take them. They will, I'm sure, make you feel much better, and more able to cope with your fears about your DS being a new driver.

I think at this stage with his driving, I would be asking him not to take more than one friend out in his car with him, and ideally only to drive alone. However, the fact is, we can't wrap our kids in cotton wool, we have to let them learn to take care of themselves, and I feel sure that with some anti depressants you will find this much easier, and not worry so much.

Definitely go back to the GP.
And it might be worth setting some ground rules with your son for driving at first - eg, he drives alone or with one sensible friend, and daylight hours only. These are sensible rules for any new driver.

It's not a natural reaction. A natural reaction is pride that your dc has passed and is grown up enough to get about independently. Today 2 girls my dc knows were involved in a serious crash today, seems they misjudged a corner. Of course your first thought is that could be your dc but you trust them, they have to live their lives.
I think you should try the medication.

You can still be proud that they passed, but nervous about them driving. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.