Traveling
I’m going on a trip this summer and honestly I’m pretty anxious about how it’s going to affect my bipolar, especially my sleep schedule. I have to be awake by 2:30am and will probably be up until at least 1pm before I even board my flight. Knowing myself, I highly doubt I’ll be able to sleep on the plane either. Sleep deprivation has always been one of my biggest triggers for mania, so the idea of completely disrupting my routine, combined with traveling internationally, has me really worried.
What makes it more concerning is that I’ll also be off my injection (will take the medication orally but I’m notoriously bad with pills) for about three months during the trip, so I know the risk of becoming manic is very real. I’m terrified of ending up in an episode while in another country where I don’t know the healthcare system, how people would react, or how I’d manage things if my symptoms escalated. I really want to enjoy this trip and stay stable, but I’m trying to be realistic and proactive instead of pretending it couldn’t happen.
For anyone with bipolar disorder who’s traveled long distance or dealt with major time zone changes, how did you prepare? Did you do anything specific to protect your sleep schedule or reduce the chances of triggering mania? I’d really appreciate any advice!