If you are an older adult suffering from depression, driving is not suitable for you. If you have any symptoms of stress and anxiety, you may be a risky driver, according to a new study, as there is a significant link between harsh braking and speeding and major depressive disorder, or MDD.

Research, published in jama network open Mood states – those that cause extreme sadness, hopelessness or emptiness – can impair driving and lead to unfortunate accidents.

According to scientists at the University of Washington, since MDD is an unknown conditionThis could have important consequences for older people. “Depression has been linked to cognitive impairments such as decreased reaction time, executive function and divided attention, which are important for safe driving,” said Dr. Ganesh M. Babulal, lead study author and Associate Professor of Neurology. “As the population of older adults continues to grow, many depend on driving for independence, employment, and social engagement,” he adds, “understanding how depression can reduce driving behavior to promote safety and quality of life.” How it affects is important.

Relationship between depression and reckless driving

In the past, there have been studies that have examined the link between driving behavior and mental health of older adults, which the new research strongly supports.

However, according to experts, living with depression accelerates the onset of driving problems in cognitively normal older adults. To conduct their research, scientists conducted a longitudinal study using real-world driving data, recruiting nearly 400 participants aged 65 and older. Many of them had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

The researchers measured participants’ driving behavior such as sharp braking, hard cornering, randomness of driving routes, speeding, and distance traveled. People with MDD demonstrated hard braking and cornering, speeding, and driving to distant destinations more frequently than their peers without depression.

“We concluded that these behaviors highlight the need for tailored interventions and comprehensive care approaches to increase road safety and maintain the independence of older drivers with MDD,” said Dr. Babulal.

Does MDD affect young drivers too?

Even though the study focused mostly on older adults, researchers believe the findings are also relevant to younger people who have depression. Depression affects people of all ages and classes Slow response makes the driver easily distracted Give them time out or tell them to engage in reckless or impulsive driving behavior such as speeding.

Symptoms such as brain fog, sadness and emotional distress make driving – which requires full attention to the road – a challenging task.

How can you drive safely?

For people suffering from depression, driving should be done carefully and safely. In addition to regular mental health checkups, it is important to identify risky driving behavior and take measures to correct it. For those at risk, experts say there are interventions that include taking therapy to learn about self-awareness and understand driving limitations.

Doctors recommend that everyone, regardless of age, Drivers should evaluate themselves Before getting behind the wheel. If you have repeated symptoms of extreme tiredness, fogginess, or feeling emotionally overwhelmed, and if anything seems strange, delay driving or ask someone else for help.

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