Traveling with Anxiety Disorder -How one woman with anxiety disorder overcame her fear of traveling.
Traveling this holiday season? You’re in good company: In
2011, an estimated 91.9 million Americans traveled 50 miles or more from
home during the holiday season, according to the AAA.
For most individuals, traveling offers an
exhilarating opportunity to break out of the mundane rhythms of everyday
life and explore new sights, sounds and tastes. But for individuals who
suffer from severe anxiety disorders, the mere thought of traveling may
provoke intense fear, dread and even panic.
RELATED: Depression or Anxiety: How to Tell the Difference?
“Travel constantly exposes you to new and
different things, and comes with a range of unknowns and what-ifs—a
potentially endless array of scenarios that can pose a threat to someone
trying to keep their nerves under control by way of controlling their
environment,” says Rita Anya Nara, author of the book The Anxious Traveler.
Rita knows firsthand how devastating it can be
to live with an anxiety disorder. For years, Rita was paralyzed by
severe anxiety that inhibited her from doing the things she loved. She
struggled with numerous forms of anxiety disorders, including seasonal
affective disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. One day,
tired of passively sitting and watching life go by, Rita overcame her
dread of the unfamiliar and hopped on a plane. To date, she has ventured
to 38 countries and has largely conquered her debilitating anxiety
symptoms.
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Author and blogger Rita Anya Nara[/caption]
Below, Rita shares her “top 10” strategies for conquering anxiety and exploring foreign lands with ease.
Start small. “Start out with small
journeys in relatively nearby areas and regions, and by going for a
short time with someone you trust and/or love.”
Come clean. “Be honest with yourself – and your doctor – about your phobias and disorder(s).”
Don’t switch it up. “Don’t abandon medications, make rash lifestyle changes, or take an all-or-nothing approach to feeling better.”
Physically prepare. “Recognize and
learn how to manage the various physical impacts of traveling that are
often a significant (but inadequately addressed) mental hurdle to going
abroad. Talk to your doctor about jet lag, travel fatigue,
acclimatization, altitude sickness, your sensitivity to environmental
factors such as air or water quality, and other similar issues before
you leave.“
Focus on you. “Don’t overwhelm
yourself worrying about culture shock, etiquette and local customs, and
language barriers. Once you stop paying so much attention to yourself,
it’s far easier to assimilate than you’d think. Remember, you are a
guest in another country; focus on being a good guest, and you will
bring out the best in people around the world.”
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