One of my future book projects covers the topic of how to travel safely and stably when you have bipolar disorder. This book has been in the draft process for quite awhile, but the topic is so timely I thought…… Julie, just get the tips out there. People need them! Here’s the introduction to the book. The pictures are from Japan and China in the 90’s. I used to just pick up and go anywhere! Who knew what mood would follow? I move to Europe in two months. I’ll share my process on this blog and on my Julie A. Fast Facebook page. I’m prepping for the time change now- and am working hard to stay stable. We CAN travel successfully when we have bipolar disorder. It just takes a plan.
Bipolar Disorder on the Road: Four Steps to Successful and Stable Travel
An Introduction
The smoother the travel, the more stable the mood.
For most of my life I traveled two to three times a year. Between 1982 and 1995, I visited Europe many times, lived in Japan for three years, traveled all over Asia, went to school in China and frequently went between my home in Seattle and my mother’s home in Hawaii. All of this travel involved time changes that inevitably led to mood swings. I had NO idea why my moods would change so much when I traveled.
When I was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1995 at age 31, I had to modify my travel lust in order to get the illness more under control. I only traveled to Hawaii for quite a few years after my diagnosis and worked diligently on using my Health Cards to keep myself stable.
I moved to France for six months in 2002 with my then partner Ivan (who is French )and finally moved to my home in Portland, Oregon and have been here ever since. I always assumed I would continue to travel the world throughout my life. But the reality is that travel is tough for me. To be blunt, travel makes my bipolar disorder a lot worse.
Since starting my management system, I’ve paid daily attention to the triggers of bipolar disorder. And one of the strongest triggers for many people with this illness is traveling. I’m now happy to announce that I can once again travel all over the world, but it takes a lot more planning than in the past in order to make sure the trip is successful and stable. This book explains the four steps I use every time I travel. Bipolar disorder management takes a lot of practice, but it is possible to find what works and get your life to a place where traveling is fun!
*** end of introduction***
Check back to the blog for my travel tips.
Julie
Hi my name is Casey I just recently found out that I have bipolar disorder. I began having panic attacks and then I had a psychotic break that put me in the hospital. I was taking depakote and risperdol which helped me to slowly come down from my high. My husband and I were trying to get pregnant so I stopped taking the depakote. Later the risperdol caused me to lactate. One of the doctors put me on Latuda shortly after I started taking that I felt a complete mental drop. I lost my ability to feel hungry, I became withdrawn and had to be told what to do, I was emotionless, I don’t feel aroused with my husband anymore and I don’t feel strong emotions like anger, excitement, fear, or nervousness. I also have a history of depression. All of these side effects or whatever happened to me if very difficult for me to live with. I feel like I lost a big part of me that I will never get back. Please help in any way you can!!! Thank you.
Casey Adesugba
Hello Casey, please visit my Julie A. Fast Facebook page and send a friend request. You can then comment on posts and get help from thousands of people. We talk openly about bipolar and I can promise you- you will get back to the real you. It takes time. We all go through this- but we all get back to normal. Julie
Hi Julie
I found your website and blog whilst researching into bipolar and travel. Last year whilst hypomanic I booked a couple of long distance and very lengthy holidays. I have never been abroad before and now the thought of doing so whilst managing my bipolar is a daunting thought. My first trip in March will be to Australia and New Zealand for 3 weeks whilst staying in Hostels. The thing that I am worried about most is being stuck on a flight over 24 hrs long and having to share a hostel room if I am agitated and having other symptoms such as self harm urges. I would be very grateful for any further blog posts you could put up on how to travel safely and stably so that I can try and keep my Bipolar in check and manage it if I start to notice symptoms.
Hello Rebecca. Please visit my Facebook page at Julie A. Fast. I post a lot about travel. Julie