BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi - I am planning a RTW trip beginning in mid-January '08. This is a make up trip for the trip I embarked on two years ago that ended abruptly with my first manic episode. I was 2 weeks into my trip and "lost it" in Australia. So here I am two year later planning the same trip. I just started back on meds (mood stabilizer and anti-depressant combo) as I noticed symptoms flaring up. I had been off meds for 15 months until last week. I plan to work with a Dr. over the next two months to make sure I'm stabilized on meds b/f leaving. So my questions are, "does anyone have experience traveling with bipolar that they are willing to share?" and "what were the keys to success or the triggers for failure?"

Thanks in advance.

It is wonderful that you aren't letting your bipolar disorder stopping you from fulfilling your dream of travel! I think it is quite possible, however you really need to be closely monitoring yourself, as you stated before.

I had travelled for a month with a friend who is a manic depressive and it was quite trying at times (as she would agree) although on a whole is was incredibly successfull and well worth it! She made sure not to mess up her medication. She only had a couple of episodes which she needed to medicate seriously, but she tried to focus more on keeping herself out of situations that set her off instead of solely relying on medication and chemicals as a preventative measure instead of treatment. She also let people know pretty early on so if she did have an episode, they weren't taken by suprise, especially in new friendships being created. Good luck!