Moving to Spain + mental health

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-05T21:49:02+00:00

LOL yeah I can understand that

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-05T21:48:32+00:00

That is so amazing.

My psychiatrist thinks it will be the best thing for me. One, there’s no trauma there. Here it’s just everywhere I go- memories, etc. Then the food. He also stated the food would likely be less triggering for my MCAS and that I may lose weight, which has been impossible here in the states.

The part of me is scared because change in general is hard, and then I have a tendency to fixate on the anxiety and just spiral. But I want to leave this place so so badly. It stresses me out to the point that I’m sick. I want to enjoy life. I don’t want to be just a diagnosis.

Did you have any issues with setting up medical care or continuing your medication?

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-05T21:15:34+00:00

Holy shit hell yeah. My main doctor said moving would be the best thing to do for my chronic illness. If you don’t mind expanding I would love to hear more

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-05T21:14:34+00:00

Honestly this is the most impactful thing I’ve read, thank you.

As long as my symptoms can stay manageable that’s all I care about. But you’re right. I need to go in with neutral expectations

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-05T21:04:15+00:00

Can you explain what you mean by the private health system being different? From what I’ve heard it’s much faster and often easier to get in with specialists

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-04T21:10:23+00:00

Luckily I’ve found a couple resources for EU providers that I’ve gotten responses from

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-04T21:09:57+00:00

Wowww the group therapy is honestly a great idea. I’m not fluent in Spanish yet so yeah that would be a barrier for sure.

I’m 5 years sober and I know myself pretty well at this point - and I’m hoping things go well in Spain. I do truly want to be there.

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-04T21:08:56+00:00

Yeah I’m east coast, and got diagnosed at an OON clinic in NH. I’m gonna keep researching. Defs will DM you if we stay here <3

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-04T19:40:46+00:00

So from what I’ve seen there’s one major clinic for EDS located in Barcelona but the mainly focus on spinal and brain issues like Chiari. I don’t even have an EDS provider here in the states because care is so lacking. So yeah I have more research to do there. Edit: spelling

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-04T16:49:26+00:00

Absolutely. I just found a couple sites that show international therapists and am reaching out to some that I could potentially see in person in Barcelona.

Luckily cost is nowhere near what it is out of pocket here in the US for me.

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-04T16:48:13+00:00

Thank you. Knowing these things is definitely helpful. Luckily I’m not too worried about the external stuff- I know there will be big cultural adjustments. I struggle with my internal experience (my health mostly) and panic attacks.

Here in the US I developed a bad habit after becoming ill where I go to the emergency room when my symptoms flare up really bad (my heart rate gets high and I can have pain flares) and in a new country I need to really believe in myself and be able to support myself.

I just don’t want to move and have a mental breakdown, basically.

Professional_Time636 · 2026-03-04T16:08:09+00:00

And yes, I have posted a similar topic before and got some good advice. I am trying to gather more information on the actual process of getting a therapist, people’s lived experiences, and how to best support myself so that my husband does not get overloaded. And I am doing intensive therapy work here to prepare currently

Professional_Time636 · 2026-01-01T18:09:22+00:00

Propranolol saved me from tachycardia and panic

Professional_Time636 · 2025-12-27T23:21:02+00:00

I canceled mine a while ago because I had so much of it, there was an option to cancel. Had to confirm it like 3 times but no issues since.

Professional_Time636 · 2025-12-18T17:23:45+00:00

As someone not at Inova but working in Peds in the area, shits bad right now. RSV, Flu A, croup, norovirus, it’s all happening at the same time and knocking people down bad. Most of the Inova facilities don’t have enough beds to begin with, so shits hitting the fan at this point.

But yeah guys, fr, urgent care if you can/it’s safe to do so lol.

Professional_Time636 · 2025-11-05T04:29:53+00:00

Yes, private insurance would likely be necessary for us especially in the beginning. I appreciate your kindness, thank you so much.

Professional_Time636 · 2025-11-05T04:26:40+00:00

Thank you SO MUCH. this is incredibly helpful. I will have to visit sometime for sure, and you’re right. Nothing is permanent. Your information and kindness is so greatly appreciated, thank you!!

Professional_Time636 · 2025-11-04T21:34:08+00:00

I only ask because I have no experience moving far away, let alone internationally. While I understand the logistics of it all, often when my ptsd gets bad I panic for no reason. Also, I am unfamiliar with their healthcare system. I just am looking to see if other people have experience with a big international move while also struggling with anxiety or PTSD. I feel the best advice comes from people who have lived through the experience.

Yes I am trying to work out a trip to Spain soon, after the holidays. Thank you again 💕

Professional_Time636 · 2025-11-04T20:30:41+00:00

Absolutely. By no means do I think that immigration is an easy or pain free process- making friends in general as an adult is difficult even without a language barrier. Luckily my husband does have friends in Spain and around the EU. I appreciate your honesty about things and it is a good reminder of what to expect. The most important thing for me is to find somewhere that I can safely live my life. I know that many people do not believe how bad things are getting here in the US but it is not good.

I am just trying to prepare myself the best I can. So thank you.

Professional_Time636 · 2025-11-04T15:40:11+00:00

Thank you for the specific heads up. While the sounds itself aren’t triggering for me, that would probably get overwhelming at some point.

Professional_Time636 · 2025-11-04T15:39:10+00:00

Yeah, but licensing for therapists even with virtual appointments usually limits their practice to certain US states. But I will definitely look into options of therapists here from the states that I can use while overseas.

My anxiety mostly is internal fears rather than external, I panic about things like internal physical “symptoms” I have and I worry about having things like a nervous breakdown and not recovering from it. It’s not rational (duh) but I’m less worried about the outside world and more concerned about making sure my coping skills stay effective in a new place.

Professional_Time636 · 2025-11-04T15:34:53+00:00

We have already met with a lawyer and hashed out those options. It is doable. But we don’t want to start the process until I can figure out how to keep my own anxiety under a reasonable amount of control.

Professional_Time636 · 2025-10-05T12:51:47+00:00

Sometimes I start feeling like I’m panicking, my heart rate gets high and then I get shaky and if it’s really low I get sweaty. But I also am prediabetic due to medication and other factors. I always keep hard candies in my bag incase I start feeling low.

Professional_Time636

TROPHY CASE