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Traveling With Bipolar Disorder

Traveling With Bipolar Disorder

WebMDa day ago
For most people, travel is an adventure. It's fun and provides the chance to explore faraway places. It can also be relaxing. There's nothing quite like a lazy beach vacation to soothe the soul.
But when you live with bipolar disorder, it can be challenging. Before my diagnosis, I was a seasoned traveler who had been to more than 10 countries. I loved dreaming up new adventures and jetsetting to places like Iceland with ease.
After I was diagnosed, I avoided travel altogether, canceling trips I had booked. That's because travel can turn into a source of stress for those with a serious mental illness. Even planning can be a challenge. But it doesn't have to be that way.
I recently traveled internationally for the first time since my diagnosis. I was pretty nervous, but I embraced the journey and had a great time, so much so that I am already planning my next trip!
Living with bipolar disorder doesn't mean you can't see new sights. It just means you might need to approach travel differently. With the right support and preparation, you can have fun and meaningful journeys.
Planning Takes Extra Energy and Time (And That's OK)
Before I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, travel planning was much easier. But when you have a serious mental health condition, you have to prepare for things that others might never consider, such as:
What will I do if I'm overseas and have a psychiatric emergency?
How is psychiatric care different compared to where I live? Can I access quality care if I need it?
While planning my trip, I:
Found travel insurance that covers preexisting psychiatric conditions.
Booked later flights so my daily routine wouldn't be disrupted.
Made sure I had extra medication for the trip.
Loop in Your Mental Health Team Before You Go
It's important to be proactive when you have bipolar disorder. Before you pack your bags, let your psychiatrist and therapist in on your travel plans. Talk about where you are traveling, concerns you have, and potential stressors.
I did this and it helped immensely. It reduced anxiety for me and made travel seem less risky. My treatment team helped me identify strategies to manage potential mood changes while on the go. This worked very well.
Stick to Your Daily Routine as Much as Possible
When you have bipolar disorder, one of the biggest triggers for mood changes is the disruption of daily routines, especially sleep. Even eating at a different time than normal can be problematic. This can be especially difficult if you are traveling through different time zones.
When I travel, I prioritize my sleep above all else. During my most recent trip, I had to skip late night events, even though they seemed fun. I know that my mental health depends on maintaining my daily routines.
Medication Management Is Key
For those of us with bipolar disorder, medications are not optional. They are essential. Here are some things you might have to do if you travel with bipolar disorder:
Take pictures of your prescriptions.
Pack extra medication (in some countries, it can be challenging to get psychotropic medications).
Remember to pack prescriptions in your carry on.
Carry a travel pill container to organize medications on the go.
You May Be More Emotionally Reactive
I'm more sensitive to sensory overload than I used to be. The crowded tourist spots, busy airports, and noisy streets really bothered me this time.
When feeling overwhelmed, I sought out quiet areas to relax and decompress. This prevented the escalation of mood changes. It may be helpful to travel to calmer destinations that have a slower pace of life.
It Can Be Empowering
Before being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, traveling was just another adventure. It was exciting but not necessarily life-altering or deep.
This time it was different. It showed me how much I have grown since being diagnosed. I thought bipolar had taken travel away from me. But for the first time in three years, I realized that I can still enjoy the things I used to enjoy before I was diagnosed.
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