My anxiety & panic is rocketing...

Welcome to the forums @Anonymouse1000 !

I'm hearing your concerns about travelling and MH.

Have you spoken to your doctor about this? They may be able to provide you with some strategies and supports before you go.

What are your biggest concerns?

Honestly, it's almost silly.

It is excessive worrying and catastrophising the situation. 16 years ago, I was hospitalised in Europe because I was very sick. I fear that happening again but also I fear losing my job if I don't fly as it is fairly essential for my role.

I don't fear flying, I fear anxiety and the thought of being hospitalised overseas.

I fear losing control overseas or getting serious depression overseas.

I have spoken to my doctor, I am fairly stable, but I still am very worried about doing an almost 30 hour transit on my own.

I am trying to catch my cognitive distortions but they are hard to get when they spiral out of control.

Thank you for responding!!

Your post has painted a clearer picture. So it sounds like it's a fear based on past experiences?

Just a suggestion... rather than focusing on all the things that can go 'wrong', are you able spend that energy on pre-planning how to stay well?

My fear is that your anxiety might cause the spiral in the end rather than the BP itself. What do you think @Anonymouse1000 ?

Pre-planning how to stay well... I never thought of that. Since it's such a long flight, what would some of those things be for example? What time I should sleep? I have to cross many time zones.

You are very right that it's the fear and anxiety and not the BP which I think will lead to a spiral. I think everything should be ok when I fly and land and relax in my hotel room, call my family, and then am busy at work. I hope.

For me, if I were in a similar space, I would ensure I get some form of sleep even if it is medicated @Anonymouse1000

I would close my eyes on the plane and use my senses to ground myself e.g. what can i hear, what can I feel, what can i smell etc.

I would ensure I get up regularly to go for a little bit of a walk.

I would take something on the plane that I enjoy doing e.g. read, games, movies.

Practice expending your energy on recovery as opposed to fretting. It takes conscious effort to do this, but it works.

I also do a lot of positive self talk e.g "I had a bad experience last time, but it doesn't mean all experiences will be negative"

I can't wait to hear how you go.

Thank you so much @tyme!! I really appreciate the kind words and tips!

I'll drop an update with how it all goes!!

You've also got a few more days before you actually go so others may also pop in and say hi and share some tips @Anonymouse1000

Tagging @Shaz51 @Snowie @Zoe7

Oh Dear,

It's just getting worse and worse. Now it is 2:30am and I can't get back to sleep... I'm fidgety and irritatable.

I'm awake and thinking about the long term effects of not being able to travel for work. "Some things don't matter, some things don't matter"

I'm already on heroic levels of pharmacolical therapy but it doesn't seem to be working to stabilise me.

I need a good psychiatrist.

@Anonymouse1000 I can hear how stressful this upcoming travel is and how much it is affecting you. I do like @tyme 's suggestion to think of all the positives. I also know that is hard to do when you are feeling so much anxiety but I have found making a list of all the positives and all the things you can do whilst you are away that you like can help. The other thing I have found that helps is to write down all my concerns and how likely they are to happen - a bit like doing your own risk assessment before you go.

Thank you @Zoe7 those are good suggestions.

I'm just so fatigued and I know what I need to do to move forward with my healing, but the anxiety and panic is just so high I feel like it's almost a mixed episode which doesn't respond to medication.