Travel anxiety

[CourtneyJ]

GAD sufferer here.

I'm going on vacation for a week tomorrow. It's a 2hr drive from my house in a nice hotel I've been to before. I've been looking forward to this break.

Last year I tried to go on holiday to the same place. On the drive there I had a panic attack and had to pull over. In the end I had my parents pick me up and drive me home. I didn't end up going on holiday.

It's the night before and the anxiety is starting to kick into overdrive. I know my first night anywhere is new is terrifying. I'm going to be honest I usually have to self medicate with alcohol to get through it. Then after that it's usually fine.

Here's just some of the things I'm worrying about:

- a storm hitting my house causing damage

- an electrical outlet sparking a fire in my house

- forgetting to turn something off which will cause a fire

- having another panic attack on the highway and trying to find somewhere to pull over safely

- something falling off my car while driving at high speed (it's happened before)

- getting to the hotel at all. Chickening out halfway there and turning back like an idiot

- getting to the hotel and spending the first night along in deathly silence

Also I don't have the option of having someone come with me. But I am having coffee with a friend before I leave so I'm hoping that that'll create some positive feelings. I also have my best friend on standby to call or text me if I need someone to talk to.

I know most (if not all) of these are irrational fears that I can physically mitigate. I also know that confronting fear head on is the only way to conquer it.

I don't know what I'm asking here. I guess I hope that writing it down will take some of the power away from my anxiety?? I don't know.

[Sophie_M]

Hi CourtneyJ,

Sorry to hear that you are experiencing so much anxiety. It seems to be affecting you quite deeply to the point of self-medicating. We acknowledge the power of writing things down and sharing thoughts and feelings can help bring about a sense of release. It sounds like you are looking for a solution and how to support yourself through your anxiety. Have you discussed options to control your anxiety with you GP?

If you would like some help finding mental health support, we would recommend that you get in contact with the Beyond Blue Support Service. They are available 24/7 by phone on 1300 22 4636 or on Webchat 1pm-12am AEST on our website: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport  One of our friendly counsellors will be able to talk through these feelings with you and can offer support, advice and referrals. 

You are not alone, the community is here to support you and always feel free to share your thought and feelings on the forum. 


 

[CourtneyJ]

Thanks Sophie. I've been a member of the Beyond Blue forums for a number of years now.

I know this is always a safe place to share any concerns I may have.

[PamelaR]

Hi Courtney

Panic attacks aren't nice at all are they. Having been around the forums for a number of years you probably have a reasonable knowledge of where to look for ideas.

As you say, writing here is basically to help to reduce the power the fear has over you. I hope this is working for you. Feel free to write some more. It's really good to see people like yourself know what's happening to yourself and to know what you can do to help, having coffee with friend before travel, someone to text etc. Good one.

When I'm in a similar situation as you (generally it was when I had to stand in front of a group of people to talk or to present something) I'd literally become jelly. Over the years I have learnt to help reduce the panic by-

• acknowledging the panic, thanking by body for it's alarm system
• telling my body, my mind, my soul that I am okay. I have done all the right things. It's okay
• reminding myself what I want to do, why I want to do it, why I want to achieve it

While I'm telling myself all that - I do controlled breathing which physiologically helps to stop the release of adrenaline into my system. There are many useful tips around the Beyond Blue website on breathing. Do a search if you want.

Hope some of this helps. Feel free to write some more if you want.

[Guest_4643]

hey CourtneyJ, welcome, or welcome back.

i'm sorry to hear you have no one to go with you. i hope you can still have a nice time and be safe regardless.

i also have anxiety (or GAD like you said), so i know all too well how it feels and i get thoughts like the ones you mentioned often. it's scary and debilitating, right?

i would say that those things are very rare, but i totally understand your anxiety and always having those 'what if' thoughts and whatnot. it's normal.

i agree with PamelaR, she gave good advice. i struggle dealing with my mental health myself. i'm sorry i can't offer you advice, but i do care, and i'm here for you. i hope things work out and none of that stuff happens. take care, and hopefully you have a nice, safe trip.

[hambiggers]

Self-medication with alcohol is a very dangerous thing. It would be best if you were wary of practicing it. I'd switch to soothing teas if I were you.

[Banksy92]

Hi CourtneyJ,

Sorry to hear you're dealing with this in the lead up to a well earned holiday. Panic attacks and anxiety can be so crippling - I suffer myself and can really relate to a lot of what you described.

Something that came to mind I wanted to suggest to you was taking baby steps and easing into it. Maybe you set yourself a few pitstops that are mapped out along the way?

For example, if it's a 2 hour drive, maybe 30 minutes into the drive you find a spot to pull over and do some deep breathing or a guided meditation to help regulate our nerves. Then maybe at the 1 hour mark you stop again and take a small walk in a park or town you're passing through to move some of the anxiety through the body and distract yourself a bit. Once you arrive, you could call or facetime your good friend for a chat to distract yourself and share the experience with them so it feels more familiar and supported.

Let us know how you get on.