Travel is a stressful and terrifying experience for me

[CourtneyJ]

Hi 32 year old GAD sufferer here.

So I'm really writing this for 3 reasons:

1. To get some encouraging words
2. To get my anxious thoughts out of my head, get some perspective and hopefully self-assurance
3. To vent my frustrations


My GAD is normally very well managed with medication, meditation, aromatherapy and CBT.

But it doesn't seem to matter how well I'm managing my symptoms my anxiety always overwhelms me when I travel somewhere I've never been before. Whether it's a 2hr flight to another state or going overseas, it makes no difference.

Taking planes is STRESSFUL. I'm not afraid of flying I just feel horribly claustrophobic in an enclosed space with dozens of strangers. When I'm talking stressful I'm talking shaking, loss of appetite, manic thoughts, excessive sweating etc

And then I get to my destination and the first night in the hotel is TERRIFYING. A foreign space, different noises the feeling of isolation. I actually have to numb myself with alcohol just to calm down (don't even dream of actually sleeping).

Now this isn't a surprise to me really but I get VERY frustrated that it still happens. I expected that the more I travelled the easier it would get. After 10 years and at least half a dozen trips (including overseas) it's still as hard as the very first time.

I get angry at my illness (and a little at myself which I know is not fair or healthy) for causing me so much distress. And for taking away the positive emotions that come with travelling.

So tonight I'm in a hotel room, in bed, all tense and terrified. I know that I'll be ok tomorrow when I see my friends... But that's 16 hours from now.

I will call my mum tonight (chatting with her always relaxes me) but inevitably it will have to drink myself into numbness to cope tonight.

[IsaJett]

Hi Courtney

the only thing i know of here is to think of the last positive thing that happened whilst you were away on a trip . I know that sometimes some traumatic stuff happened to me ...and it becomes the highlight for me and it eats me totally ...and all i can think about is that very bad thing ... and it i would feel it over and over again ...like in my head its on repeat mode.

the idea is to play another tape in your head ...by slipping in something positive ...

like maybe if you look out of hotel room ...u see a beautiful tree ...or plants ...or a kid laughing ...or how beautiful the hotel room is compared to your home ...lol

I hope you get the idea ...just focus on things in your vicinity ...touch the sheets and feel it and describe it to yourself . I guess the idea is you are not honing in on how scared you are .

or maybe watch some funny youtube videos ...always that option in this era.

Or try some meditation video by jason Stephenson / Anxiety - i have found his youtube videos to be super helpful . There is loads of this on the internet...find one that suits you .

Good luck I hope these tips help you ...for the next 16 hours till you see your friends ..hahah

keep us posted ...I’m sure you will do well