Does anyone know if there is....

[RitaZ.]

such a thing as a travel phobia? For instance, a person that avoids travelling far from their home. I think my brother may be affected by something like this. He doesn't even like to drive to see us, we live about 1 hr. away. We get along well, so that's not the problem. There have been SO many times where he has avoided trips or called them off at the last second ( I do mean last second).

We have invited him and his DW on SO many trips, but he always has an excuse for not coming. My SIL told me two weeks ago that she will be going to Puerto Rico on business, and she wanted my DB to come with her. He doesn't want to go. Come to think of it, my SIL has made similar comments in the past.

We are planning a family trip to WDW in Sept. and we invited him and SIL. He gave me an interesting reason as to why they can't come. Apparently one of their friends told them a story about suspicious looking men on an airplane having a conversation regarding Orlando and a "big impact". You can guess what that is about....

Anyway, is there such a thing as a travel phobia?

I guess I'll do a search....

 

[DocRafiki]

reminds me of maybe a form of agoraphobia (sp?)

 

[jipsy]

I don't know but I just wanted to say Hi.

 

[jipsy]

Yes there is a name for fear of travel - hodophobia.

 

[RitaZ.]

Marti, Hi right back!

 

[RitaZ.]

Thanks, Marti. I just did a search and I couldn't find much detailed information. I'll keep looking though.

 

[Rajah]

Yup, there is. I'm not sure what the name of it is, though. Wouldn't surprise me if my MIL has this, though. As far as I know, she's only been beyond a 2 hour radius from home about 5 times in her life. I think it's so sad.

 

[nativetxn]

ho·do·pho·bi·a -- n.

1. The fear of travel.

The fear of travel is complex. Most people's fear of travel is associated with their fear of flying, some with a fear of trains, but still others with a fear of traveling in automobiles. Some are afraid of strange places, open places, or inevitable contact with strangers.


Apparently there is a name for it.

 

[JohnTBap]

xen·o·phobe

n.

A person unduly fearful or contemptuous of that which is foreign, especially of strangers or foreign peoples.

 

[Kermit]

It's completely possible that that's what the problem is. He may be afraid of actually traveling (i.e., cars, trains, planes, etc.), or he may be afraid of the loss of control you get when you're in a new place. I think it's somewhat disconcerting for all of us to be away from our houses and jobs, and to not know exactly where the grocery store, gas station, and hospital are. For most of us, the enjoyment of being on vacation outweighs the disadvantages, but I can see how it wouldn't be enough for everybody.

 

[mrsapalm]

My MiL won't stray away from their teeny tiny town for fear of being in The Big City. It's quite sad, because we have to make all of the effort to see her and we've actually invited her over on several occasions. She just won't come for a visit (she's not old or anything, so she can't use that as any excuse). Too bad, 'cause she's missing out on sooooo much. I'd be willing to wager she might make the effort should we have one of those baby-things, but that's not going to happen for quite a while.
-MrsAPalm

 

[RitaZ.]

Thanks all for the info.

I talked to my mom about this and she too feels that my DB has a travel phobia. She has accepted the fact that he doesn't like to travel. I guess I will do the same, I can't force him to do it. I'll continue to invite him and SIL on trips, it's up to them to decline. I just wonder how this will affect their future children....