Traveling with Schizophrenia: Essential Considerations Before I Go

When traveling with schizophrenia, ensuring your safety (and enjoyment!) can take some key considerations. Lesley McCuaig delves into 7 challenges she’s faced during travel, including a brief increase in symptoms and the need to quickly adjust to a new, temporary routine.

“Despite these challenges,” she says, “I love the anticipation and excitement of travel, and the benefits often outweigh the difficulties.”

Traveling across the country to visit friends and family is one of my favorite things. I cherish the adventure and the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones.

Yet, for someone with schizophrenia or other significant mental illness, travel can be particularly challenging. It's not something I undertake lightly.

5 challenges of traveling with schizophrenia

Travel is often romanticized, but it comes with hidden costs, especially for those managing schizophrenia. Beyond the financial burden, there are significant disruptions to sleep and medication regimens.

The stress of new environments, including unfamiliar sights, sounds, and foods, can make potential complications – like a psychotic episode - even more daunting.

1. The impact on my sleep schedule

Sleep is crucial for everyone, but it is even more vital for managing schizophrenia.

When you hear auditory hallucinations all day, every day, 365 days a year, you get very tired of hearing noise. Without adequate rest when traveling, these hallucinations can become more intrusive. And, because of the constant noise of my hallucinations, I tire more quickly than the average person. Fatigue and stress from traveling add to this strain, making it harder to maintain the stability needed to manage my condition.

2. Medical adherence while navigating time zone challenges

Traveling from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, my favorite destination, introduces a 3- to 4-hour time difference. 

This change affects my medication schedule and sleep habits, which are critical for keeping symptoms under control. Setting alarms to remind me to take my medications can help ease this transition.

Likewise, stress from travel can exacerbate psychosis symptoms. Although I don't travel abroad often, I’m planning a future trip to Northern Ireland. This separation from my familiar surroundings—home, culture, and country—adds another layer of challenge. 

Planning ahead to adjust my medication regime with my doctor’s guidance and maintain a healthy sleep schedule is essential. Understanding how travel may affect my schizophrenia is key when planning a trip.

3. Adjusting to a new routine without my dog

At home, my dog provides emotional support and a stabilizing routine. While my dog isn't a registered emotional support animal (ESA), my responsibility for her ensures that I also get a good sleeping, eating, and exercise schedule. Separation from them during travel can be stressful, as it disrupts my regular daily routine, and I miss the companionship.

Thankfully, technology means it’s easy to check up on my pet. Staying in regular touch with the dog sitter and receiving updates helps alleviate some of my stress.

4. Managing intensified symptoms

If my symptoms escalate during a trip, I return to the basics: eat well, sleep well, exercise, and take my medication on schedule.

If these measures are insufficient, I seek medical help from the nearest healthcare provider.

Travel insurance covering psychotic episodes also provides a necessary safety net. Many travel insurance plans don’t cover mental illnesses, so it’s worth searching for a plan that covers psychiatric care. You may need to look to an independent broker.

5. Adapting to new environments

When I travel to British Columbia, my auditory hallucinations usually increase for the first few days of the trip. But this is a familiar pattern, so I don’t panic. My flare-up of symptoms will diminish as I adjust to the new time zone and routine.

Remaining patient during this adjustment period helps me manage symptoms effectively.

Final considerations

So, to sum up, before booking my next trip, I need to consider:

• How to adjust my treatment and sleep schedule accordingly
• Plan for the temporary absence of my dog and their companionship
• Manage stress, which can intensify auditory hallucinations

When visiting friends and family on a trip, they often support me through these challenges. They help with emotional support, medication management, and finding local healthcare resources. And remember, it’s essential to find travel insurance that covers mental health events like psychotic episodes. Despite these challenges, I love the anticipation and excitement of travel, and the benefits often outweigh the difficulties.

By planning carefully and keeping routines, traveling can still be a great experience, even with schizophrenia.

The information presented is solely for educational purposes, not as specific advice for the evaluation, management, or treatment of any condition.

The individual(s) who have written and created the content and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence, or endorse any content related to the contributor's websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen.

NPS-ALL-NP-01338 AUGUST 2024