The lived experience of driving with bipolar disorder

Cognitive, psycho-motor, and emotional regulation abilities of people with psychiatric diagnoses, particularly bipolar disorder, are assumed to be less efficient compared to the general population, and, as a consequence, may not be conducive to safe driving. This research aimed to investigate the lived experience of driving with a diagnosis of a bipolar disorder, as a study on this subject has not been located in the literature. Two focus groups were conducted during a bipolar day program in an independent psychiatric hospital in an Irish city (n = 18). Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Themes emerging from the data include; the meaning of driving as an essential instrumental activity of daily living, that bipolar disorder can impact driving behaviour, and that participants are able to make decisions to manage their driving effectively when unwell. An unexpected theme was the perceived discriminatory nature of the recommendations regarding the disorder in the Irish Road Safety Authority’s fitness to drive guidelines. The findings complement other research conclusions in that driving is highly meaningful, enabling engagement in many areas of occupation. Participants’ desire to collaborate with their treatment team while implementing their own strategies for managing their driving when unwell, can be viewed as a process of taking control in their recovery and minimising the effects of occupational disruption. Their perception of the fitness to drive guidelines as inequitable could be a result of a feeling that illness has long lasting influences on their life narrative.