Travel

I have finally admit I’m not good at travel. I was already hypimanic but Kept going higher due the stress of flying and other pressures as it was a work trip (lots is related to social anxiety - story for another forum). This hypomania was not pleasant. I got into fights with my words on here and through email and phone calls with one or two coworkers. Then in person during the work trip I was triggered by some words spoken directly to me, against my character. I was agressive. This was a very anxious and agressive hypomania - easily triggered. I put a lot of energy into containing what was slowly unraveling in me and it all came undone at the work trip when I made some very bad choices (for another forum on drinking) and ended up too sick from all the stress, drinking, anxiety, loss of appetite and oh yeah... we were high up and I was getting lots of altitude sickness, so that...and being on a new med.. I ended up crying to a coworker and sick out of my mind the next day. I missed the last day of the sales meeting which is not good - as it’s a annual and a big deal. So finally I am home and feel so relieved but am feeling the other end of it on the downhill slope. Not really into travelling again for a long time.

Sounds like you have had a lot going on. I hope you can get some rest.
I also hope you feel better soon.


WC

Thank you 🙏🏼

I traveled a lot when my mom was sick, and she passed during these three years I was traveling. I would of felt so much regret if I didn’t and I would do different things to make my travels easier. It’s never comfortable, but depending on your own personal wants and needs, you can adapt. You CAN.

I’m so sorry about your moms passing.

Also - I think we can learn to adapt as you said. Good point

Here is a good adaptation tool for those who have to travel but it is also triggering - build one day at the end of your trip into vacation time so you can reacclimate. I’m experiencing this now and am grateful. Now I have time to gather the tools I need to keep myself from plunging into depression.

I’d love to hear what other tips some of you have to avoid episodes before, during and after travelling. In particular- flying.

I sometimes have to travel for my job and I hate it. Last time I traveled, I got an angry mania where I was sleeping 2-4 hours a night. I was in two different countries and I wanted to scream and punch someone.

I get an episode every time I travel, honestly. So the best thing I can do (or what I would recommend) is mentally prepare for an episode and learn some coping mechanisms to manage the symptoms when they come up. This could mean buying some things in advance to distract yourself with and paying for everything in cash so you're not spending tons of money on a credit card (just go to a bank that charges a small fee for converting your currency).

If you like books and can read well (I can't read well), buy yourself a book in advance that seems interesting to you. Or even get a magazine. I actually like to read those dumb magazines you get for free on the airplane with the bizarre and stupid inventions they're trying to sell. I take those dumb things with me and laugh at them when I'm bored. Just... be careful about customs and border patrol. I don't know if you have to declare those magazines.

Trust me, magazines are a safe thing. If you use your phone, you're probably going to be in roaming mode, and that can get expensive when you use a lot of data. Yes, there are international phone plans for travel, but they're still expensive. If you're in your hotel and using your phone to connect to the WiFi, then that's fine... but you need something to do when you're not in the hotel. Otherwise, manically using your phone to send texts, call people, etc. gets expensive. So the idea of magazines is to keep you away from your phone.

Of course magazines are a thing of the past, but they're not all that bad. Smithsonian is decent. I also like Popular Science and National Geographic. I only read them when I travel b/c magazines are cheap entertainment and it's cheaper than reading those same articles on the internet overseas. You spend like $10 at most on 3-4 magazines.

When I travelled, I loaded up a laptop or a tablet with ebooks, magazine subscriptions, or TV shows. One time I brought a hard drive full of Looney Tunes cartoons. I was bringing the laptop anyway so I might as well use it.

Planning ahead for restaurants and side trips helped too.

A lot of people I knew as work colleagues so we went out to different places.

You are a pro and know yourself well!! I’m going to have to take the same approach as you and just expect an episode to occur as it always does. Good advice about the magazines and keeping away from the phone. Never thought about doing that.

Good call on the planning ahead, just to know what to expect

I love to travel and it’s the one thing I refuse to give up for bipolar.
It’s a long flight from Aus no matter where you go. Our most recent trip was to Spain, which took approx 26hrs one way.
My tips:
- if you’re claustrophobic or anxious like me, take your ‘pams just prior to boarding. In my case diazepam
- put your watch onto your destination time and take your meds according to your destination time for the duration of the flight. It helps your body to start readjusting
- arrange stopovers. Our trip to Spain could’ve been quicker. However, we stopped at Bangkok for 6hrs and Dubai for 6hrs. It gave me a chance to breathe, walk etc. I was a bit stoned on my meds but my hubby held my hand and ‘walked me’
- wear noise cancelling earphones and eye mask. It’ll help you forget your sorroundings
- I prefer an actual book and purchase one for every flight
- don’t be afraid to take PRN’s. Your normal non medicated strategies may not be an option in a plane

Good for you pookl! I admire your willpower ☺️... and through it those are some great strategies that I too will apply.

Just about the only time I use Klonopin anymore is when I'm sitting on the tarmac, waiting to take off. I do have a slight fear of flying but I love to travel so I do whatever is necessary to facilitate it. I also arrange my medication schedule to accommodate the time zone I'm going to. Otherwise I don't do a whole lot of preparation, and I stay well for the most part.

Yeah, magazines aren't all that bad. National Geographic is probably my favorite, actually, of the ones I listed.

Im in my mid 20s, but I don't mind old school stuff. Maybe I'm just a weirdo. I don't know. Lol.

Another thing that came to mind... Buy a portable battery for your phone if you don't have one. And if you've got a laptop, bring that as well. Just... make sure the TSA (or whatever the airport security is called) doesn't think your laptop is a bomb, because they thought mine was. Then they took it for 10 mins while waving one of those bomb detector wands at it.

k, thanks Harry Potter. You done yet?