Living with Mal de Debarquement
A nervous system condition with a lasting feeling of rocking or swaying, often after a cruise or other travel.
Understanding Mal de Debarquement
It most commonly starts after a cruise or other water travel, and less often after air or train travel. People feel rocking, swaying, or bobbing and have trouble with balance. Symptoms may or may not go away over time. They can return after more travel or during stress or illness. It can start at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Poor balance when standing (postural instability)
- Unsteady walk
- Dizzy spells (vertigo)
- Rocking or swaying feeling
- Tiredness and trouble concentrating
- Anxiety
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include ear, nose, and throat specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Vestibular Disorders Association may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Vestibular Disorders Association
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with MdDS Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says it most often develops after a cruise or other motion experience. GARD does not list a gene or other cause.
Also known as: disembarkment syndrome; mal de debarquement syndrome; mal de débarquement; mdd; mdds; sickness of disembarkment
Patient organizations
- MdDS FoundationMal de Debarquement · United States
- Vestibular Disorders AssociationMal de Debarquement · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Mal de Debarquement.
Explore research for Mal de Debarquement
Explore actively recruiting Mal de Debarquement studies with HealthSpark.
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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