Planning - Bipolar will travel

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@Bunniekins wrote:

@NatureLover I just need someone with me. I have a great fear of being alone out side the house.

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I'm sorry to hear, @Bunniekins 😞 I feel for you.

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@Bunniekins wrote:

I am sorry to hear that you have agoraphobia. Life can be so tough.💚

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My agoraphobia is manageable if I don't go very far from home and don't stay out long...it's OK. Thanks 💚

Hi

I'm the same as you. I'm bipolar and I travel a lot (or at least I did pre-covid). I've also never had insurance which covers mental illness. I mainly go back to the UK because my parents are there and I have British citizenship so would be able to access medical care there if needed, but I also visit other countries along the way (last time I stopped in Bangladesh and Uzbekistan!).

I do the same as you in getting all my scripts filled for the entire trip before I leave and carrying a letter from the psychiatrist to say all my meds are legit (I'm on 6 psych meds and 10 other meds)

I've only had serious issues once, going on the overnight train from Baku to Tbilisi. When we got to the Georgia border the guards went through my hand luggage (which contains more meds than your local pharmacy) and got suspicious of all my meds, despite the psychiatrist letter. I had to take my hand luggage and get off the train and go into a little cabin, while they went through all my meds and typed them into a computer to see if any were banned in the country. I was terrified the train was going to go without me. But in the end it was all good, they gave me back all my meds and were very friendly about the whole thing, and took me back to the train.

I've also been stopped and questioned at airports on various occasions because of course when they see all those tablets in the scanner they get suspicious. But on those occasions the letter from the psychiatrist and the dispensary labels on the meds have fixed any issues.

So I'd agree, if you're bipolar you absolutely can travel. I'd just suggest:

- have a letter from psychiatrist with doses etc

- keep your meds in their boxes with the dispensary labels on rather than putting them in a dosette box when going through international borders

- if you're not great at recognising your early warning signs, maybe travel with someone else who knows them, or keep in regular contact with someone at home by phone or email while you're travelling so that they might recognise things

- have a backup plan in case things go pear shaped

- enjoy your trip!!

Thanks @confused_nomad I will definitely keep my meds in their packs. Great idea.

The Calm app is really good. They have a huge variety of guided meditations, sleep stories and sleep sounds, inspirational speeches and so much more. The also have daily mediations by three different teachers every day. One of them is called the daily trip with Jeff Warren. He actually has bipolar so it’s good to know that they have lived instructors with real lived experience.

The app might come in handy. Might help to stabilise you if need be.

‘it’s a great app I use it all the time.

the also have meditations for relation, anxiety. Depression, panic etc. it’s really compressive and full of excellent content.

They also offer a 7 day free trial so you can see if you like it first.

Thank you for bringing that app to my memory @Little_Leopard ! I have used it and paid for the full version, but I don't think I gave it the time or justice. I will go back and give it another go 🙂

Thanks for the suggestion re the app. Must check it out!

For sure. They have probably added heaps of new features since you last used it! Enjoy!

Hi @Delicatessen ,

Are you away at the moment? I seem to be missing you on these forums. I'm wondering how you are and wanted you to know I'm thinking of you.

I can sort of see you travelling the world on foot, exploring all the amazing natural sites 🙂

tyme

Hi @tyme thanks for your kind note. I’m actually fantastic. Have just started a 10 week break from work. I am indeed going on a long trip overseas shortly and a huge proportion of that time will be taken up with exploring the great outdoors on foot. I cannot wait to be connecting with the earth…it always makes me feel good. Did a quick half day walk over the weekend which was glorious. Proves it doesn’t matter how far you go or where, getting out and amongst it can be great for your mental health.

Sorry to prattle on. I hope you are well!

Awww @Delicatessen - That's so good to hear! You are certainly not prattling on 🙂

I love hearing of your adventures. When I don't see you online, I'm always picturing you travelling the world on foot 🙂

Good on you!