Like TRNRMOM, traveling (especially international travel) has become my worst trigger. I somehow handled it much much better in my early youth (through late 20s), but after that it became more difficult. Airports have especially become bad triggers for me. The long lines, chaos, and ridiculous procedures they've put in place (after 9-11) are quite difficult for me. Of course I want people to be safe when they fly. I'm not saying to take protections away, but I think the "protections" and so-called "efficiency" updates are poorly designed. There must be better ways. Living in an extremely populated area near New York City, the airports are supremely hectic. Many more people are flying than in the past. All of that, combined with the fact that some people in the NY/NJ/PA tri-state area are often aggressive (sometimes including me), it becomes a living hell.

Some airports are much better than others in the US and around the world, for various reasons. I try to pick destinations and airports that are a bit lower stress.

I'm OK with very laid back vacations or ones with limited itineraries. When we are doing whirlwind multi-city touring, it sucks. I don't mind some heavy exercise, but not every day for multiple days. Hubby would never go on a bus or boat tour. I don't like them either, so he drives. I don't. Sometimes visits to his home country of Czech Republic become stressful when we have to visit several friends and family members. [Christina, I totally understand what you're going through in that respect.] In the CZ case, language barriers add to the stress, though some of my husband's family/friends do speak English.

I could tell numerous stories about my rants, raves, total tirades, panic attacks, full blown manias (some with mixed features), and psychosis during vacations and at airports, but I won't. They got really bad at times! Earlier in my life, I traveled a bit for business. That started just fine, but when I tried once during my worst years, it was a disaster.

I'm usually reluctant to talk about traveling with medications, because I definitely wouldn't want anyone to be caught in a crisis because of them. I will say that I've never had problems, myself, but I haven't been to any country that I'd think might cause problems (i.e. a Middle Eastern country, Singapore, etc?). When I was, it was pre diagnosis. In recent years, I have traveled throughout Europe, Costa Rica, Peru, and Ecuador with lots of medications. The latter three countries were maybe six or so years ago. Two years ago I was in Portugal with no problems having just pre-filled pill boxes. Taking full bottles would be something I'd do if I had just a few bottles, but excluding my husband's prescription medications, I have at least nine bottles, or ideally I'd take 10 bottles. Then of course we always have a number of OTC medications we bring.

bluebicycle, I'm sorry you didn't like Poland. It is a beautiful country, though.