I’m a 20 year old former athlete and reckless crazy child who unfortunately now has pcs issues due to the aforementioned factors.

I’m currently in school and my program organized a educational trip to Manhattan in order to meet with some company headquarters, see relevant sites (museums, stores, ateliers, etc) and just to learn about the city since it’s a place many people in my program go work after graduating. It’s a great opportunity and sounds like a lot of fun.

However I’m not sure if I should go. The main factor holding me back is transportation. I would have to go on a long ~7 hour bus ride from my city in Canada to Manhattan and then do that same long bus ride for the journey home. Furthermore I’ll have to travel by taxis and buses in the city of New York which I know can be crazy with how they drive, the quick starts and stops, potholes, etc.

This transportation issue terrifies me as I haven’t even ridden in a car for over a year and last time I took a long car ride like this was probably over 2 years ago. I’m scared of the symptoms it will cause and of all the very harsh stops, starts, bumpy roads, vibrations, potholes, etc will damage my brain. I’ve read people who say it has the potential to cause serious damage to sensitive brains like mine. What do you guys think?

Further there might be the potential for many incidents that could happen there which I’m not sure I’ll be prepared for or able to handle, although you don’t know until you try.

I’m just so sick and tired of not being able to do anything, I feel like I’m wasting my life away. I wanna go on this trip very badly but at the same time I don’t wanna do anything stupid impulsively that could jeopardize my health. What are your thoughts? Any answers would be really appreciated

BenW, I don't know your history of brain issues as I have not followed many people's paths here. Sounds like your fears may be warranted, NYC is a pretty hectic busy city and one needs to be in good general health to just keep up, my thinking. No one can make your decision for you but I lean on being more safe than sorry in my life, as a rule. I'm sure you will have many opportunities in your life for jobs.

You should try not to become a hermit. However, you should also take care not to push too far.

If I were in your position, I probably would not go just for fun. I might go if anything in my future actually turned on going. This is not advice. I am simply saying what I would do given your choice. Only you are in a position to do the cost-benefit analysis for your own case.

The only thing that prevents BenW from taking the trip is his own anxiety and OCD. He is not a damaged and sensitive person.

He steps in a pothole and shuts his life down for a week or two without any symptoms other than his anxiety.

Somebody pats him on the back or he gets a strong hug and he comes apart.

He refuses to follow his CBT therapist's counsel.

He is looking for people to confirm his anxieties and OCD.

Please don't oblige him. He needs to learn to move forward with his life.

Hey ben,..

Go on the trip and enjoy yourself. Your young and you have lots of potiental. Don't get stuck In Your head. You will be fine. Trust yourself..

We all go thru challenges and we all have baggage. You will be fine. Just keeping moving forward and it will get better.