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I keep getting distressed when traveling/moving: what's going on? can symptoms be alleviated?

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littleoc

MyPTSD Pro
I am about to graduate college (finished all classes and the comprehensive exam) and currently a certain event is supposed to happen tomorrow -- so I have gone back to a sorority house (it's very quiet and relaxed here).

I am feel anxious, but I can't place why. I was here just three weeks ago, and I was extremely comfortable in no time.

Yet, five weeks ago, when I first got here for a two week stay, the same thing happened. I felt anxious and wanted my twin brother to stay longer, and I wanted my mom and to go home.

I got comfortable by the next night, and for two weeks was so comfortable that I got depressed, anxious, and upset about having to go home.

When I got home? Same thing happened -- I got anxious, but also horribly depressed. I even wrote a post here about how horrible the house is (it's a hoarding disaster) and how uncomfortable I was.

Yet, once I got used to it, I didn't want to go back across the state to the sorority house for the event I'm attending. I'm currently there, but anxious.

I called my mom and chatted and complained about the mysterious illness I have currently, and hoped I wouldn't be here long. Which is weird because being at home is honestly just bad for my health. People on this forum have helped me realize that I should consider moving out as soon as I can.

Being at home was making me depressed. Lots of reasons. Very PTSD-symptomatic as well.




So, what's going on? Why is moving from one place to another bothering me so much? Shouldn't it only be one way?


I do remember getting an adjustment disorder (is that the right name?) diagnosis several years ago, along with PTSD, but is that a part of PTSD? I remember my therapist using that disorder in lieu of PTSD to protect me during the time of something that seemed minor -- but is that related to this?

Also, if you know how to diminish symptoms related to it, can you share?

Thank you :)
 
Why is moving from one place to another bothering me so much? Shouldn't it only be one way?

I think anytime someone moves from one home to another it can be unnerving..so you actually sound pretty normal to me....
You have so much going on and now graduation on top of that? (congrats again by the way!). Anyone would be stressed out and I bet half te people at the school are thinking the same thing. The jump from college to the real world can be really scary..
I'd suggest working your grounding techniques and maybe just letting yourself know its ok to be nervous in this circumstance. :hug:
 
I get nervous with small moves, just riding the bus or whatever spikes my anxiety.
I never thought about it being (another) disorder though.
Breathing techniques, reading and listening to music helps a lot.

I also think this is a great emotional step forward, recognizing what we don't feel comfortable with in our lives and doing something about it :)
 
I have noticed that change of any kind can be a bit extra challenging for us sufferers.
Constancy is something our brains/endocrine systems do better with, change is another stress to deal with, on top of the ramped up stress of our condition.
Doing things that you do to self soothe and touching base with your familiar peeps, fam and therapist, if possible, would, no doubt, help you calm your system.
 
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I used to have this and it was really bad, I could hardly do anything or go anywhere. I would go, but I was so unhappy and uncomfortable it made it a trial for everyone else. : ( A couple years ago we discovered I could travel and have taken several trips. The last one was extremely difficult due to traffic and last minute changes and so on. It was good I learned a few things. We are going through a very big personal upheaval right now and it's enjoyable actually. I'm happy that things are going to be different. My first therapist looked at me one day and said, "how do you know things are not going to get better?" lol. I just knew that's how. Now, I'm less sure about that. : )
 
Change is hard for my guy. Especially last minute changes. It helps to prepare and discuss the changes in advance. All the who? What? Where's? have to be known.

And we always have to have a plan of action. We can't go all willy nilly into something.

Maybe having a plan written down. What's going to happen so you can visualize it and prepare a little bit.

We're cheering you on. You're gonna do great things! I know it. Try to have some fun. You only graduate from college once. Congratulations and enjoy your accomplishment!

XO
 
We're cheering you on. You're gonna do great things! I know it. Try to have some fun. You only graduate from college once. Congratulations and enjoy your accomplishment!
Thank you! :)

Oh, by the way -- the tips y'all suggested have been working well. It helps to know it's not a bad thing
 
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Now moving last summer was more challenging than I'd imagined...bought my own home. It was the disorganization of moving that tore me up. It was also the great amount of change leaving my family, and loss that accompanied the changes that took place. Everything has its place and at the time, I was obsessing over needing a dresser to feel comfortable....end tables too. I had an anxiety attack over needing a dresser. My friend suggested getting some plastic boxes and putting different clothes in them while I was looking for a dresser. I'd have no part of that disorganization...I had left my dresser at the X's and was without. I needed a dresser to put the clothes in and the TV on and the dresser would make me feel comfortable. I kid you not. It had to be that way for me to be comfortable. I was doing everything I could to feel safe in a new house....and oh my, every sound kept me on edge. Night was the worst. I had to lock the door at night. I had to buy a new bed and mattress/boxsprings, and everything was different. I had to type of lists and place on my wall and inside of front door to remind me of the things I needed to take to work. Moving made me disorganized-and then I'd forget-then get triggered-then spaz out....I think in this case, different made me not feel safe. On the flip side, I got in the car and drove from the east coast to Iowa and another time to New York. Once out of town, alone, just me and the road and music, I was at peace....safe. No discomfort at motels....it's weird.
 
Now moving last summer was more challenging than I'd imagined...bought my own home. It was the disorgan...
Huh...

I was told that part of this is instinct -- even half the brain won't sleep, in case there is a predator.

I agree about the dresser, though... and motels are pretty okay too o.O

I'd probably need at least three pets alongside the service dog... lol

Did you get comfortable?
 
Huh...

I was told that part of this is instinct -- even half the brain won't sleep, in case there is...

Once the dresser, the two end tables, and the TV atop the dresser, and the boxes unpacked so I could see things and create a daily routine, I do feel much more at home and comfortable. My girlfriend saw the need of giving me a dresser like pronto, when I blasted her with a resounding "No" to her box idea. The dresser is quite pretty and now I just have to keep the laundry done and put away to keep the dresser functional. LOL
 
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