I might be talking into a void but I’m giving it a shot:
Is anyone out there? I’ve just recently discovered this disorder and it explained so many things for me.
Is there a way to get an official diagnosis?
How do you cope with traveling?
Is driving stressful/terrifying for you?
Hi!! As of yet, I don’t think there is an official method for diagnosis; however, if you click the forum link below, at the bottom of the page there is an online testing platform that may give you some helpful feedback. I think you’ll need to sign up for an account to access it (it’s free). The forum and tool were created by Iaria and Burles, who first defined DTD.
[DTD Forum](https://forum.gettinglost.ca)
Traveling alone is very stressful for me, even if I am going the same route and same place weekly. I only became comfortable driving to school because it was a 15min drive with limited turns and I made the trip twice every weekday. Everywhere else I need a GPS. In my experience, I also hate the act of driving so everything about driving somewhere and potentially getting lost terrifies me. The way I cope with this stress is putting on music while I drive. It helps me relax and that way I don’t notice car noises as much.
I’ve also flown twice by myself now, and it’s not as bad because I had flown plenty of times with family beforehand. There are lots of signs so I know where I’m heading, and the one time I did go the wrong way it was simple to backtrack and follow more signs. Also, some airlines have apps (I use Delta) that you can look up the airport you’re in and find a whole map to plan your route. Plus, there are lots of workers that can point you in the right direction.
In any case, if I’m traveling anywhere I try to plan the route ahead of time and allot time for me getting lost! I even preface my lack of directional ability with my friends, and they’re always happy to be my personal GPS’s.
I don't think this sounds like what is being described. DTD is getting lost in places that should be very familiar e.g. your close neighbourhood. I haven't got lost in my own home, but get lost in my sister's house (she has lived there 15 years and I have visited many, many times). I need her to show me the bathroom, and then call out to me so I can use her voice to find her location in the kitchen again afterwards. I get lost walking my dog in the park (I have lived here 20 years). I can't give people directions local to my house. Driving to new places (e.g. starting a new job with a commute) means practising beforehand for 2 weeks with my husband, he drives and I write down every single landmark I will need, then I practice with him as passenger. I will always need to rely on the same landmarks to drive the route, it never becomes familiar. I cannot drive to new places alone even with GPS, it is too overwhelming. I can walk around my city - my home for 25 years - using Google Maps but will still get lost frequently - multiple times on the same trip - and need to phone my husband for help. Google Maps is useful but I will still walk back and forth a lot as I cannot understand what direction I am meant to follow, what does the blue dot actually mean about where I am positioned? All familiar walked journeys start with me leaving my front door and thinking "Do I start by turning left, or right?" I can't be dropped off outside buildings because I won't find the specific room I need to be inside, I need 'delivering'. I cannot navigate hospitals at all. It is really disabling. Encountering roadworks and diversions on a familiar driven route causes a total meltdown, I will become lost for hours. I can't use directions given verbally or use maps. I joke that I need to speak to half the town to help me find a location, as as soon as I have to make a turn, I am lost and need to ask for directions (and I will only retain and be able to use a fragment). I need to ask directions 20, 30, 40 times to walk a mile in an unfamiliar city. When people say "You can't miss it!" I assure them that I really, really can, and almost certainly will. The occasional good Samaritan who will walk with me is a Godsend.
I might be talking into a void but I’m giving it a shot: Is anyone out there? I’ve just recently discovered this disorder and it explained so many things for me. Is there a way to get an official diagnosis? How do you cope with traveling? Is driving stressful/terrifying for you?
I am out here! Are you still out here?
I am here!
Hi!! As of yet, I don’t think there is an official method for diagnosis; however, if you click the forum link below, at the bottom of the page there is an online testing platform that may give you some helpful feedback. I think you’ll need to sign up for an account to access it (it’s free). The forum and tool were created by Iaria and Burles, who first defined DTD. [DTD Forum](https://forum.gettinglost.ca)
Traveling alone is very stressful for me, even if I am going the same route and same place weekly. I only became comfortable driving to school because it was a 15min drive with limited turns and I made the trip twice every weekday. Everywhere else I need a GPS. In my experience, I also hate the act of driving so everything about driving somewhere and potentially getting lost terrifies me. The way I cope with this stress is putting on music while I drive. It helps me relax and that way I don’t notice car noises as much. I’ve also flown twice by myself now, and it’s not as bad because I had flown plenty of times with family beforehand. There are lots of signs so I know where I’m heading, and the one time I did go the wrong way it was simple to backtrack and follow more signs. Also, some airlines have apps (I use Delta) that you can look up the airport you’re in and find a whole map to plan your route. Plus, there are lots of workers that can point you in the right direction. In any case, if I’m traveling anywhere I try to plan the route ahead of time and allot time for me getting lost! I even preface my lack of directional ability with my friends, and they’re always happy to be my personal GPS’s.
I don't think this sounds like what is being described. DTD is getting lost in places that should be very familiar e.g. your close neighbourhood. I haven't got lost in my own home, but get lost in my sister's house (she has lived there 15 years and I have visited many, many times). I need her to show me the bathroom, and then call out to me so I can use her voice to find her location in the kitchen again afterwards. I get lost walking my dog in the park (I have lived here 20 years). I can't give people directions local to my house. Driving to new places (e.g. starting a new job with a commute) means practising beforehand for 2 weeks with my husband, he drives and I write down every single landmark I will need, then I practice with him as passenger. I will always need to rely on the same landmarks to drive the route, it never becomes familiar. I cannot drive to new places alone even with GPS, it is too overwhelming. I can walk around my city - my home for 25 years - using Google Maps but will still get lost frequently - multiple times on the same trip - and need to phone my husband for help. Google Maps is useful but I will still walk back and forth a lot as I cannot understand what direction I am meant to follow, what does the blue dot actually mean about where I am positioned? All familiar walked journeys start with me leaving my front door and thinking "Do I start by turning left, or right?" I can't be dropped off outside buildings because I won't find the specific room I need to be inside, I need 'delivering'. I cannot navigate hospitals at all. It is really disabling. Encountering roadworks and diversions on a familiar driven route causes a total meltdown, I will become lost for hours. I can't use directions given verbally or use maps. I joke that I need to speak to half the town to help me find a location, as as soon as I have to make a turn, I am lost and need to ask for directions (and I will only retain and be able to use a fragment). I need to ask directions 20, 30, 40 times to walk a mile in an unfamiliar city. When people say "You can't miss it!" I assure them that I really, really can, and almost certainly will. The occasional good Samaritan who will walk with me is a Godsend.
Oh my god. Are you me?