Anyone gone traveling with depression?

Moonie27 · ‎12-04-2016

Hey everyone.

I am 23 years old and currently have been living in Australia for 2 years (originally from Nz).

I am set to take the leap over to backpack around Europe and the U.K. In June. I know I should be really excited about this but the last few weeks I have gone so far backwards with my mental health I am scared 😞 I was taking medication for almost a year and stopped about 5 months ago. I had been doing so well up until recently.

Again the last few weeks I have lost interest in everything I used to enjoy, I am a emergency vet nurse and seem to have lost all my compassion for the animals I care for at work, I feel like I am going to cry all the time and I have no normal sleep pattern (mainly due to doing shift work) I feel like I need to consider going back on some kind of medications but i am worried about being on medications while away. What if I can't get to a doctor to get a new script? Or misplace my medications in transit and have to go through those horrible withdrawals again?

Basically i just want to know if anyone has traveled while depressed before and especially if you have been taking medications while doing so?

Any advice would really help

Thanks

geoff · ‎12-04-2016

hi Moonie, really appreciate your comment.
Travelling o/s would seem to be great news if you like to travel, but from what you have said it seems as though you may need to go back onto medication, and your doctor will provide scripts for obtaining your medication for how long you are away, because he/she will know that you about to travel because injections maybe required to stop any disease from happening, but what you need to do is to get a letter from your doctor stating that you are taking this medication and have been for how long it has been, so that you can show it to the travel authourities when you arrive in the new country.
What I am worried about is that you feel confident enough so that you are able to go o/s, because travelling with depression is not pleasant, so by being away from home, your family or your friends could mean that your depression could worsen due to being home-sick.
I have only travelled up and down to Melbourne when I was depressed by driving, and the time spent on the road has seemed to be an eternity, only wishing that I had stayed at home.
This is only my suggestion for you to go back and see your doctor, but remember when you are at home you think that you will alright o/s, but you don't know until you get there. Geoff.

pipsy · ‎12-04-2016

Hi Moonie. I feel similar to Geoff here with your depression being so full-on. I am actually wondering if nervousness about your upcoming trip could be adding to your depression. If you have never travelled before, it's quite natural to have concerns, who will you meet, what it's like where you are staying etc? Geoff is quite right that your Dr will ensure you have enough medication for the duration. Maybe it might help if you re-visit your Dr and let him know you're feeling a bit concerned. As far as taking the medication with you, I had to do this when I went o/s. You take your med in their rightful containers, along with the authorisation from the Dr, what the meds are for etc. Take the meds on board. You may find customs won't give them a second glance, if they do, show them the letter. Because 1000's travel 24/7 with meds, customs are used to it. Going through the passport process the meds won't enter the equation, only customs and as I said, if they're in their rightful containers, customs may glance but, unless they ask, no action is needed. Your Dr will have an idea, based on what you tell him how long you intend being away, he will then calculate how much you need. He may also calculate when you should take them, based on the time difference. You are allowed to take meds on board, there is no problems about that. Keep your meds with you at all times. I put my meds in a plastic container (still in the packets), if you don't leave them in their packets, customs have no way of knowing what treats what, that's why you leave them in their containers. Your Dr will direct you about this, mine did. The authorization from the Dr will probably just advise you're on this or that and why.

Lynda.

Moonie27 · ‎12-04-2016

Thanks for your reply Geoff.

i forgot to say in my post I have been living away from my family and friends in NZ for over 2 years now so it's not feeling home sick I am to worried about and I am traveling with my best friend.

I booked the trip while I was feeling really good and I think I would be silly to give up this once in a lifetime opportunity. Who knows it could be the best decision I have made - a lot of people say they find them selves when they go traveling. I just hope it's the right move for me!

lookingforme · ‎12-04-2016

Hi Moonie,

I have travelled while on medication. You need to factor in how long you will be gone for. My GP was able to give me 3-5 months worth of meds at one go, I think there's a thing on the script that pharmacists see to allow that to happen. Does your friend know about your depression? Maybe between the two of you, you can keep an eye on your meds? If you want to take them. By the sound of it, you should consider talking to your GP about this, and come up with a gameplan.

As far as losing it in transit, I always had them spread out over hand luggage and check in stuff, though you are back packing, maybe take a carry on just for your meds that will fit into your backpack later? I think the only issue I had was on those social nights, as mixing anti depressants with alcohol isn't the best, makes me just pass out. It would always mean that I took my meds later than normal.

It sounds like you're putting a lot of pressure on this trip, and you to have fun on this trip, to make it meaningful. That could be adding to your feelings. It has for me, definitely. Everyday, I had to try and take the pressure off.

I would suggest you have a think about what may be causing your feelings to come back and so strongly, and talk to your GP about it and meds.

lookingforme · ‎12-04-2016

Also, everything Pipsy said is spot on, about the letter and taking it with you as carry on etc, no more needed to be said.

Chris_m · ‎12-04-2016

Moonie27 i been to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia last november first you need see docot get back on med ask if he can get more of your med i suffer from depression and anxiety you going by self or group but you need to goi back on med go for walk when you can it help you feel better i listen music hope it help you

JessF · ‎14-04-2016

Hello Moonie27, I have travelled many times over the years while in good and not so-good states. I think the key is knowing what your triggers are for depression, and what works to manage them - what works at home will work anywhere. Going back on the medication is a good idea, so you can feel stable while away. Does your friend know about your depression?