Anxiety when travelling internationally

[CourtneyJ]

Hi all,

Quick summary, 30 year old single female, introvert, diagnosed with GAD and depression over 10 years ago (but had it all my life). I currently take anti anxiety medication daily so on a day to day basis I function very well.

So normally when I travel domestically and go on holidays I have no issues. In fact I VERY much prefer it. I like being completely on my own, lying in bed reading books all day and basically cutting myself off from the outside world. I do worry about the normal stuff (like my car getting stolen or my house burning down) but never about my own safety or anything.

It's when I travel internationally that I have problems. I went to Bali 2 years ago for a 1 week relaxing retreat. I spent two days in a continuous panic attack (crying, shaking, hyperventilating, not sleeping) before I had to cut my holiday short and fly home early. Once I got back I had to spend 2 days at my parent's house recovering before I could bring myself to go home.

The thing that seemed to upset me the most was the fact that everything was so foreign. The streets, the shops, the people there was nothing that was recognisable. My head was spinning because I couldn't seem to establish and point of reference to anything. And then I realised how far away from home I was and then I just lost it.

Fast forward to today and my boss has asked me to travel to the Philippines for a week to meet and work with our partner company. Now this is slightly different because I will be going with someone (he's a great guy and he's really supportive about my anxiety but he is still my boss so I can't completely lose it) and I will be working all of the time (so less time by myself for my brain to become idle and let the anxious thoughts take over).

But regardless of all the above I'm still worried about having panic attacks when I'm there. I can't blow this huge opportunity for my career.

So my question is: has anyone experienced this too? And what techniques have you used to overcome your anxiety?

Thanks & peace

[Hope_for_the_best]

Hi Courtney,

I am not diagnosed with an anxiety disorder but I am prone to getting anxious. I can totally relate to your stress of travelling alone to a foreign country. To me, finding places in a foreign country is my greatest nightmare! Were you travelling alone in the Bali's trip? Having someone to travel with you makes a very big difference.

I had to go to a conference in England last year but I was unfortunate enough to have no co-workers going with me. I was meant to go by myself (oh no!!!), but thankfully I ended up going with one of my family members. We arrived at 6 a.m. in the morning, but we could only check in at the hotel after 3 p.m., so we walked around the city. Guess what? We got lost and then it started raining heavily! We were very frantic asking others on the street how we could get back to the hotel. The whole experience was stressful but manageable because I had someone with me the whole time. We worked our ways together using Google Map while asking for directions, so we finally made our way back to the hotel. I would probably be panicking and crying on the streets if I were by myself.

I would suggest that you try to view the trip positively, e.g. I am going to a new place with lots of interesting and exciting things instead of I will be having panic attacks because things are so foreign to me. Relaxation techniques are very handy too.

Hope that helps.

[Meowface]

CourtneyJ you are speaking straight to my heart!! I have had some of my biggest panic attacks in the lead up to overseas holidays. My husband loves to travel so he pushes my boundaries (in a loving way because I would probably go nowhere if it wasn’t for him!). For example, last year we travelled to India. I had terrible panic attacks leading up to the trip imagining the worst being fearful of everything, with the worst full blown attack about 2 nights before we flew out. I was convinced I was going to die over there. My family actually wasn’t sure I would be able to go. To be honest I think I was physically exhausted after the major anxiety attack so I crawled onto the plane and felt a bit numb.
When I arrived there were some overwhelming moments but I just tried to focus on my immediate surroundings and see the smiling helpful people when I felt stressed. I also kept a handwritten notebook with me that had all the hotel details, addresses, emergency contact details with me. I made sure my ipod was loaded with relaxing enjoyable music when I needed it. I also think a big part was being honest with my husband and family about the fear I was feeling. I was trying to be brave and hold it in but sometimes you need to voice your fears to get support from others.
Even if you are travelling with a work friend it might be worth talking to him again about your concerns – especially if he is supportive of your anxiety because he will be on the lookout for you like my husband does for me. I always feel like a burden but he reassures me that it’s much easier for him to be supportive when he knows what is going on. We don’t have to carry all our worries alone.
I ended up loving India and had an amazing time. I really hope you have a great trip and get through it xoxox

[geoff]

hi Courtney, I don't like travelling anywhere, except for one night is fine, but a week is too long, it's always been this way and once my twin and I went away with Mum and Dad when we were young, and back then I thought being homesick was because I was missing them, in fact, it's not, Mum and Dad were with us, it's missing your surroundings, your bed, your shower anything at home you treasure.
With you it's going to a strange country, where the surroundings are all completely new, people are different, and even though you can understand them, it's in their native language, never sure about your possessions and security maybe a concern.
I had planned on going to Thailand for a week and went to a lot of trouble to get my passbook, as there were mistakes so I had to start again, but now from circumstances I couldn't go now.
I think that you really need to talk to your boss, as he knows about how you are going to feel, and if he says 'it will be alright I'll be there', isn't going to satisfy you, maybe it might now, but as the time gets closer, you know how you are going to be.
I would discuss this with him and see if someone else can go without jeopardising your position in the company, remember your health is far more important and has to come first.
I realise that it's a big decision you have to make, and whether this is going to improve your rank in the company and if this is what you want to do. Geoff.