Need advice on a trip

So my mom wants me to go to Virginia with her for the weekend, which is a five hour drive. I don't know if I should go because I have bad anxiety and have trouble going out in public because I have a dizzy/fainting phobia. I guess I'm just scared that I'll feel bad during the long car ride and also that I'll have to go out and do stuff in virgina and DC. So Do y'all think I should go?

Occasionally I wouldnt want to be around people cause some seemed rude but it was probally me thinking to much. Sometimes the best thing I found to do is smile even if you dont want to! Usually people smile back and thats always nice and comforting when they smile back.

This is SO true!!

Something about smiling makes you feel good, then when a stranger smiles back, you both feel good. And that can relax anxiety. I do this all the time when I am out and I have anxiety/phobias about being away from home and this helps...

Hi S.J.

A trip can be a wonderful distraction and a break from the anxiety and worries that we face everyday.

I have had many trips where I have had no symptoms whatsoever.

Currently that is not a big deal...as I have my anxiety managed well...

...but in the height of my anxiety issues, I still had to be wife and mom and make sure that vacation was fun for everyone...so I just had to go along with...scared or not!

To my suprise I found that most of my trips were completely awesome!!

There were exceptions however, and I did have a few stuggles along the way a couple of times...nothing drastic, but I want to give you an honest picture here.

So whether you take your trip or not is completely up to you...

You could find that you are free from your worries, or you could face some real challenges.

Questions to ask yourself:

How will I deal with any panic/symptoms away from home?

How do I do in the car? Will we be able to stop if necessary...even trun around?

How is my mom with understanding/dealing with my issue?

Will I regret not going if I decide to stay home?

We have lots of great coping ideas that I can post and send you off with...should you decide to go for it.:)

Wishing you the best in your decision!!

S.C.

Check these out as well as the Resources we have here:

http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/anxietypanic/2010/02/tips-for-traveling-with-anxiety/

http://www.healthyplace.com/anxiety-panic/articles/travel-anxiety/

On the main page, 1st post you will find more great ideas such as therapy worksheets that can help you work through specific fears (such as fainting) and journal/meditation and stress relief exercise instruction sites.

Arm yourself with various tools...go prepared, and push your limits a little for gaining ground! :)

S.C.