Is Travel Anxiety Real? 7 Symptoms and Strategies to Manage Anxiousness When Traveling
Travel is often seen as a time for relaxation and rejuvenation, but for some people, it can lead to anxiety and interfere with their daily functioning. The process of planning, making reservations, and booking tickets can be overwhelming. While travel is meant to be a time for letting go of stress, sometimes the act of organizing and going on a trip itself can induce anxiety. So, is travel anxiety a real problem? How can we recognize it and find ways to overcome it?
India.cm reached out to experts to shed light on the issue. In an exclusive conversation, Dr. Austin Fernandes, a psychiatrist at Dr. LH Hiranandani Hospital in Mumbai, stated that travel anxiety is indeed a real problem that affects many individuals. It is a specific type of anxiety disorder triggered by the anticipation or experience of travel, especially when it involves leaving familiar surroundings and entering a new or unfamiliar environment. Travel anxiety can manifest in various forms and degrees, ranging from mild discomfort to severe panic attacks.
Dr. Santosh Pandey, a naturopath and acupuncturist at Rejua Energy Centre in Mumbai, agreed that travel anxiety is real. While not classified as a mental health disorder, it can still be severe enough to disrupt people’s daily lives. Some individuals may experience travel anxiety due to negative past travel experiences or pre-existing anxiety disorders. However, it is a common issue that many people face when planning trips or during their journeys. The triggers for travel anxiety vary from person to person.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF TRAVEL ANXIETY:
– Excessive worrying: People with travel anxiety tend to persistently and excessively worry about various aspects of their trips, such as transportation, accommodations, safety, or the fear of getting lost.
– Physical symptoms: Anxiety can manifest physically as a racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. These symptoms may worsen as the travel date approaches or during the trip itself.
– Avoidance behavior: Those suffering from travel anxiety often try to avoid or postpone their travel plans. They may cancel trips, make excuses, or seek alternative transportation to prevent triggering their anxiety.
– Panic attacks: Some individuals may experience panic attacks characterized by sudden and intense feelings of anxiety, accompanied by physical symptoms like chest pain, choking sensations, and fear of losing control or dying.
– Sleep disturbances: Anxiety can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. This can result in fatigue and further exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
– Irritability and restlessness: Travel anxiety can lead to increased irritability, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Sufferers may constantly feel on edge or easily agitated.
– Social withdrawal: People with travel anxiety may isolate themselves from social activities or avoid group travel due to their fear of experiencing anxiety symptoms in front of others.
It is recommended to seek professional help from a mental health practitioner, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, if experiencing travel anxiety. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, relaxation techniques, or exposure therapy to effectively manage and overcome travel anxiety. Don’t miss out on the latest updates – subscribe to our newsletter today!