ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case of a 43-year-old medical representative who attends the general practice surgery requesting a sick note. She is due to deliver a presentation next week to the national team, upon which hinges her hope of a promotion. She is a well-dressed woman wearing make-up. She establishes a good rapport and is cooperative. Physical examination is unremarkable apart from tachycardia of 100/min. Anxiety or depressive disorders, unless severe, do not usually necessitate suspension of driving. Effects of medication for these conditions or symptoms that impair driving must however be judged on an individual basis. With psychotic disorders (e.g. schizophrenia or mania) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) guidance requires suspension of driving during the acute illness and for 3 months after complete resolution of the acute episode. DVLA guidance requires her driving to cease pending medical enquiry with resumption after a 'period of stability', which needs to be judged clinically.
