A doctor in the US has taken alternative medicine in an entirely different direction after writing a prescription for one of his patients… for a manual gearbox.
The news comes from a post on forum site Reddit, where user ADHD_Driver explained that he paid a visit to his GP to discuss treatment after finding himself distracted behind the wheel.
Statistically, ADHD sufferers are four times more likely to be involved in a car accident or to be caught breaking traffic rules, while in the UK drivers have to fill out special forms to inform the DVLA of their condition.
The Reddit user said: “During yesterday’s appointment the topic of driving came up, and I had to confess that occasionally I have caught my mind wandering, only to catch myself just in time to brake before hitting a curb, running a red light, etc.”
“I take this very seriously, and now have my girlfriend drive me to work. The conversation then turned to how best to approach this.”
The doctor then outlined a number of possible remedies according to the poster, before simply asking: “You drive an automatic, don’t you?”
Manual drivers less likely to be in accidents
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, people with ADHD who drive a manual car are around 50 per cent less likely to be involved in accidents.
“The prevailing thought is that the ADHD brain is in constant search of stimulus,” ADHD_Driver explained. “Driving a familiar commute or long drives can become monotonous to the ADHD brain and its focus begins to drift.
“However, when driving manual so much more of your brain needs to be engaged constantly. The motion of the gear shift, the sound of the engine, the timing and feel of the clutch, the revs on the tach… it’s a far more global process, and one which needs continual attention.”
Previous research has also claimed that whether you drive a manual car or an automatic can directly impact on your love life and emotional wellbeing, according to data from Hunch.com
The site’s study claims that motorists who prefer manual gearboxes are 39 per cent more likely to be married or in a long-term relationship, while automatic drivers are twice as likely to be single.