Dromomania: When Wanderlust Becomes an Obsession

Is dromomania a mental disorder? Isn’t it that everyone feels relieved after traveling? So, let’s put it this way and gist out: dromomania is an excessive compulsion to wander. A person with dromomania, while on a trip, plans their next exertion. It might sound foreign to a lot, yet it exists and is described as a phenomenon that has been recognized and observed for centuries since the 19th century. We can trace down the evidence and appearances of dromomania Clinically from France, The point of origin of dromomania. It is as if one person develops a sudden interest in fulfilling their fantasy of going around the world in 80 days like Jules Verne.

According to the APA dictionary, ” An abnormal drive or desire to travel that involves spending beyond one’s means and sacrificing job, partner, or security in the lust for new experiences. People with dromomania not only feel more alive when traveling but also start planning their next trip as soon as they arrive home. Fantasies about travel occupy many of their waking thoughts and some of their dreams. The condition was formerly referred to as vagabond neurosis.“

Read More: Hodophile: A Person who Loves to Travel

Dromomania

When people need a break from their own lives, they prefer going and exploring places all around the world. But dromomania is something quite different. It is an overwhelming desire to travel throughout the world and globally sit down anywhere, even though it’s rotting you to the core. Like many mysterious epidemics that emerge suddenly in certain eras and vanish just as quickly, “pathological tourism” was a puzzling phenomenon that gained attention in the psychological world of the 19th century.

It is not normal for an individual with this mental condition to have no consideration towards anything and just go around leaving everything behind. Whether it’s his or her career, family, or lover. They develop an incessant need to leave as soon as possible. While the whole concept of being a wanderlust is romanticized a lot for the sake of exploration and learning new things, dromomania is where the line is crossed. It goes beyond mere desire – it is compulsive and disruptive behavior. In the psychological field, it is headed under the category of impulsive control disorder. In clinical terms thus is it also called vagabond neurosis.

Vagabond neurosis

In today’s digital age, where social media allows individuals to explore even the most remote villages online, it has become easier than ever to escape reality and constantly add new destinations to one’s travel list.

It is driven by a “drop-everything-and-see-the-world” mentality. With travel becoming more accessible than ever, the urge to escape has grown stronger. In the past, exploration was about discovering new cities and civilizations, whereas today, it often revolves around ticking destinations off a list. Basically “quantity over quality”. An uncontrollable impulse to travel and a deep craving for new experiences—this description seems to fit many individuals who spend their lives constantly moving from one place to another. After all, we live in a world full of competition. Even prefer upgrading their list and outnumbering others around them when it comes to traveling. A few individuals find it very contradictory the whole concept of dromomania and think this can’t be a real medical condition. 

In the end, it all comes down to this: Are you truly enjoying the journey, or is it leading to distress?

Read More: Travel for Soul: A Journey to Self-Discovery and Confidence

Symptoms of dronomania 

1. Uncontrollable urge to escape and wander 
2. Escape from life 
3. Disconnecting from everyone 
4. Repetitive unexplained traveling 
5. loss of control
6. emotional instability 

Psychological underpinnings of the vagabond neurosis 

There could be a vet of psychological as well as emotional factors where an individual develops this neurosis and disorder. the exact and definite cause is yet very uncertain but several potential scenarios can add up to the development of dromomania.

• Escapism and avoidance 
• Self discovery as well as identity crisis 
• Restlessness and boredom veiling life 
• Urge to do something exciting 
• Certain mental health conditions can contribute to dromomania such as personality disorder, OCD

Treatment and Management

1. CBT ( cognitive behavioural therapy ) 
2. medication 
3. Support group and counselling 
4. lifestyle changes 

Dromomania is a complex and often misunderstood condition with so many symptoms, and confusion develops whether it is a condition or not .it involves a compulsive urge to wander, escape, or move from place to place, leaving behind everything. Therefore, it is essential to understand the underlying factors of dromomania. With the right support system and care, treatment options are available and accessible to those who seek help.

FAQs

1. What is an example of dromomania? 

Many cases of dromomania were seen and have been described but the most famous and fascinating one is of Jean Albert Dadas, from France.

2. What is a person with a love for travel called?

A person who loves travelling is called a hodophile.

3. What is the meaning of dromomania?

An abnormal drive to travel without considering any of the responsibility .