ABSTRACT
“God knows it is just about as much as I can stand at times, and there is absolutely no escape. I have never had my temper so tried as it is everyday now,” wrote Edward Wilson, a Polar explorer, in 1902. You do not have to spend the winter in the Antarctic to share some of the frustrations and annoyances that Wilson was describing to his wife. Expeditions are stressful and cause psychological difficulties for those involved. When organising or joining an expedition ensure that you are aware of the potential psychological disorders as well as the many physical conditions described elsewhere in this book. This chapter outlines steps to take at the planning stage to reduce psychological problems, and describes more common difficulties that can occur and the best way to manage them.
