Holiday panic again !

What do you need us to say? Obviously part of you wants to go otherwise you'd not have booked. What is it you're afraid of?

Holidays that require aeroplane flights are not essential. Why don't you opt for something simpler/nearer to home? Or even do day trips from home instead of the kind of holiday (or the mere thought of the kind of holiday) that stresses you out so much?

I have stopped counting how many holidays we have been forced to cancel over the years grannylyn65 (mainly due to problems at work and/or various illnesses DH and I have). So I really do sympathise with you.

You really shouldn't assume that things will be the same this time around. Last year was last year. You should ask yourself what it is you are anxious about? Is it the travelling? being away from your own bed/toilet whatever? Missing family? or the fear of unfamiliar surroundings?

Remind yourself why you really need this holiday. Write a list of the positives (do not write a negative list) and all the nice things you intend to do.

Why are family and friends so dismissive?

I wake up afraid these days and panic when I babysit, on antidepressants as it is.
What do you want us to say is a very good question!
Dismissive because they are fed up with my negativity, as am I !

Have you ever tried 'Bach's Rescue Remedy'?

I use it when I am getting myself into a 'tizz' about things

I will try that, thanks

grannylyn I so sympathise with you, and IMO saying "what do you want us to say" Jane10 is rather unkind and unhelpful. Perhaps you would like to know that you are not alone in this anxiety. Going on a uk holiday is one way of dealing with it, but in my experience , one is still left with the feeling of somehow missing out when other people are soaking up the sun/ culture abroad. Perhaps the GP could change your medication to help,with the General anxiety , or perhaps a course of hypnotherapy might help. Booking a last minute holiday would give you less time to anxietise ( as I call it) .

I am very much in the same boat - for many many years we have gone to the same place in Wales at the end of May, for the music festival there and the seaside walks - although over the years it has become just me going to the concerts. We used to go when the children were with us too. It is a bit of a ritual.

OH's PD is now so much worse and a bit of me is dreading it all - OH will be in a state about the journey, he feels much happier on his own territory and he will not go out at all when we are there. A bit of me feels we might just as well stay here, so he will be content, but I cannot bear the idea of giving in and maybe never going there again. It seems like defeatism.

One plan would be to go alone, but it is hard to leave him in the care of the family as I feel it is my responsibility not theirs.

grannylynn - some people are just happier on home territory. It may be that you are one of those people. Have you had holidays in the past that you have enjoyed? Has the anxiety been a long-standing feature of your life? Do you feel in some way obliged to take a holiday? - or when you book it do you feel keen and it just feels too much as it draws nearer? Have you a partner who is keen to go? - is that why you made the booking?

Big holidays abroad are stressful; there is no doubt about that. They are only worth it if the reward of being there outweighs the anxiety beforehand. Or does the anxiety persist when you are there?

Do you think that it might be worth talking to your GP about this?

I always loved my holidays but the last few years find I get very anxious in the lead up, can't sleep for a few nights before hand and convinced I will have forgotten something. On the morning I leave I check my bag several times to ensure I have my passport, money etc. Do try to relax (easier said than done I know), it is very unlikely that anything will go wrong.

Grannylyn, have you spoken to your doctor about this? He/she can prescribe a beta-blocker which you can take as-and-when required and it reduces anxiety amazingly.

There's also Valium which can be taken to help with anxiety although that can have unwanted side effects.

I hope you get to enjoy your holiday.

I was not meaning to sound unkind. I wanted to try to get to the heart of the actual problem.
I agree that holidays don't have to be abroad or to involve flights. However, part of you wanted to do this to the extent that its booked and paid for so its only part of you that is anxious about it. Are you trying to challenge yourself in some way? Is the stress involved actually worth it?
Our most recent trip was stressful indeed (I wont go into details) but that first day relaxing in a lovely place, in good company and with a cocktail in hand, suddenly it was all worth it! You'll feel like that too!

The anxiety and panic could be down to a physical cause, is there any chance that you could find a sympathetic doctor? Also try a mindfulness class. Physical exercise like table tennis and line dancing, or even walking, may help. Do you socialise much? Join a local U3A? I also endorse rescue remedy.
St John's Wort is very popular on the continent but does not mix with certain medications.
A dog (or cat) can help too.

We have decided not to do overseas holidays for the present, I can not face airports and cramped seating. I have to carry so much medical equipment plus having had a PE which concerns me, always having checks for DVTs.
There are lots of areas in the UK that we have not visited and will concentrate on enjoying our own country.
I understand your anxiety and empathise

I think I will contact GP, have done an intensive Mindfulness course which I absolutely hated!!'
Holiday booked a few weeks ago!
I haven't taken offense jane !!!
Am in local U3A
I am trying to sort myself out and really appreciate the feedback !

Try to find a good hypnotist who will help you to deal with your anxieties.
My friend suffers from anxiety including a couple of phobias related to travelling out and about. She saw a hypnotist (hypnotherapist) that I recommended and he resolved the phobias completely and she had the best year of her life last year, or so she keeps telling everyone. Several trips abroad including one on her own.
Honestly, she's almost a different woman!

grannylyn where are you going to once you get to Gatwick? Or are you holidaying in Gatwick?!

For me ... (and this is just me) what would be the point of going on holiday medicated up to the eyeballs? Or of course in a state of permanent anxiety...

I know there are people on here who will disagree with me, but can't you do an exercise where you talk yourself out of the anxiety, saying out loud "It is only anxiety, it will pass". I promise you over time the anxiety will diminish in intensity and/or you will reach the "Sod it, (insert whatever is causing the anxiety) bring it on" stage, because facing the fear is better than living with anxiety any day.

I'm obviously not talking about someone who has a proper phobia.

Also, I understand that for some people holidays cause anxiety but I disagree that it is always a stressful situation.

Hi grannylyn I can't add much to the advice already posted

I do sympathise with holiday anxiety as I am a fellow sufferer.
For the last couple of years I have opted for for several short uk breaks even so the thought packing makes me anxious.

You have made provision for a smooth travel experience to Gatwick and back home
So start with ticking that off your list

Nighttime is when you will probably worry more so maybe some music or a audio book from the library on personal CD player will stop the worry worms in your ears .
Could also be useful at airport and on plane.

I wish you a lovely holiday
Just visualise yourself already there with a cocktail in your hand

Some really good points Grans x?

Hi grannylynn65 I too suffer from anxiety and can empathise with how you feel, it is so hard sometimes and each day is different. I do think Craicon offers some good advice, I have used hypnotherapy and it has certainly helped me to a degree following a very serious assault. I do hope you get some help and are able to go on holiday and enjoy yourself. Best wishes

Grannylynn one journey at a time, its just a trip to the airport, its just one flight, then its just one more flight ...... Small steps.Take your time, big breaths and NO thinking unless its about a nice chilled wine when you arrive. P.S dont forget to send GN a postcard. &

Airport assistance people are lovely. You could see about that? They take you through everything to the door of the plane and meet you on arrival at your destination and see you all the way to your transport to your hotel/accommodation.

Always suffered from anxiety and it used to stop me from travelling, then thought, life too short! Use deep breathing on the plane, and positive thinking when away. Have since been non safari in Africa, travelled around India, and crossed the Atlas Mountains by mule, and camped in the Wadi Rhum Desert! Just go for it- you won't regret it!!

Mind you....nothing, absolutely nothing would get me on an aeroplane! Hopeless.

Have seen GP who has changed medication and was very relieved to discuss my feelings. Will take time ans still have reservations re holiday. Since I stopped part time job have become a bit introverted?