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Anxiety from the thought of Travel from home environment

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I find that a journey that is further than local to home especially if I am making it on my own causes a great deal of Anxiety.

This has been noticable particularly when it has come to visiting my children. The struggle of leaving behind my daily norm, knowing everything will continue without me, and going to a different situatiin, which is unknown but I know will be fine and lovely. 

I havent been now for several years, partly because of some health issues which gave me the perfect excuse.  But its one of those things its often easier to avoid. But at the same time be sad about.  They are unable to come to me, so not going means I dont see my children and their children.  I have a niece I've only seen once etc.

I have definately missed out because of this.  But dont know how I could ever get over this or the avoidance.  I wondered if others experience this.

Well i wrote this and didnt post. The time for the planned journey has arrived and I am feeling quite anxious, maybe a bit panic-cy.  This is real but people dont get it.  Theres probably several things that cause this I dont know. But what others percieve to be a good thing to look forward to, bring joy etc really doesnt. ScreamScream

  • I get it, I don't go east of Bangor, I live in the country, even if I am in a busy village and towns are so overwhelming, busy and full of things I don't know how to do. Everything is geared around smart phones which I don't have, the people are to impaitent and can be rude to the country bumkin stood there wondering what to do and where to go.

    For me there's additional problems, like will I be able to find anything to eat when I get there, I have so many allergies and food intollerances, it's really difficult to eat out, I can't remember the last time I ate out or had a takeaway

  • Hello,

    I am due to drive alone to the Cotswold's this weekend and have done a lot of preparation by looking at paper maps and Google Street view to see which lane I need to be in on some roundabouts. I find it confusing even after driving for thirty years! I think it is ok to be anxious about a trip , I know I am but quite often a trip turns out to be great fun and I meet great people. I book assistance when  using trains, is that something you are aware of/ Could this help you visit family should you wish, I hope so.

    I have an eating disorder too so that causes extra issues but I work around it by looking at menus on line and taking food with me. I will feel better when on the move and not trying to over plan.   

  • I feel similarly about making journeys, especially if I have to go on my own. I go many years between seeing my parents; although they're also in the UK, we're a long distance apart. And I've also used excuses with them, including my health issues.

    Although it's technically about holidays (perhaps visiting family is supposed to feel like one, although it doesn't for me!), this article explains some of the reasons why we can feel this way, and offers some tips that might help :

    NAS - Going on holiday: tips for autistic people and families

    This article might also help with understanding why leaving our daily norms behind can be challenging: 

    NAS - About autism > Preference for order, predictability or routine

    And some of the tips here might help in respect of anxiety:

    NAS - Anxiety

    Finally, in case you're going by train or bus, there's some advice here, including tips from other autistic people:

    NAS - Transport > Travelling by bus or train

    I hope you're able to enjoy your visit as much as possible.