Traveling and Driving With Schizophrenia

Being able to travel and drive have a big impact on well-being. Taking vacations and visiting loved ones can be a great source of joy. Being able to drive can also help you live independently. A common myth is that having a long-term mental health condition prevents people from doing both. While there are some factors that need to be considered, traveling and driving are still possible in many cases.¹

Planning for travel

Traveling can lead to unexpected stressors. These hurdles can make it easy to mismanage treatment. They can also increase the risk of having an episode of psychosis. Psychosis involves severe schizophrenia symptoms like hallucinations or delusions. Finally, finding healthcare in a new location may be hard if psychosis or another medical emergency arises.^1,2

Any of these factors may make someone living with schizophrenia (or their caregiver) worried about traveling. But with the right planning, travel is possible and rewarding. Here are some tips for traveling with schizophrenia:^1,2

• Choose a low-stress place to visit that has direct flights or driving routes
• Consider time zone changes, and create a new schedule for taking medicine that factors in these changes
• Pack pills in carry-on or personal bags that stay with you at all times
• Bring all medicines and information about what they are and how to take them
• Create an emergency contact list for your destination so you know where to get help if needed
• Bring a friend, loved one, or caregiver along for support
• Talk through any concerns with your doctor, and create a plan for how you will get in touch with them
• Continue to practice healthy habits you have at home, like eating well, drinking plenty of water, being active, and getting good sleep

Extra things to consider when traveling abroad

If you are leaving the country, there may be other factors to consider. These extra steps include:^1,2

• Getting travel health insurance
• Visiting only places where you speak a common language or traveling with someone who speaks the destination language
• Understanding the rules for bringing in certain medicines (like controlled substances)

While it may take more planning, traveling abroad can still be possible. It just might require a little more research and emergency planning.^1,2

Driving with schizophrenia

The ability to drive can make a big difference in quality of life. Being able to drive on your own can help you maintain a job and carry out everyday tasks. But not everyone with schizophrenia can drive. Drug side effects, motor symptoms, or changes in the way you process information can affect your ability to be safe behind the wheel.^3,4

Is it illegal for people with schizophrenia to drive?

There are currently no laws in the United States that say a person with schizophrenia cannot drive a car. This is because symptoms can vary. As many as 2 out of 3 people with stable schizophrenia can drive at least some of the time. However, some with more severe symptoms have slower information processing speeds or reflexes that can make driving unsafe. Also, if experiencing positive symptoms it may be necessary to refrain from driving as altered perceptions may affect ability to safely drive.^4,5

Each person’s situation is different. You, your healthcare team, and your loved ones should regularly discuss your ability to drive. It may be safest to take a break from driving if you are having active symptoms or drug side effects. It is also important to know how your medicines affect you before driving as some medicines may make you tired or limit concentration.

Keep in mind that the stress of traveling can trigger symptoms in some people. Monitor your symptoms after returning from a trip so you can get additional treatment if needed. And before you head out, talk with your healthcare team about whether traveling and driving are safe for you.²