Healing through travel: This is how to explore all countries in depression

Healing through travel: This is how to explore all countries in depression

Cameron Mofid, a 25-year-old American, has struggled with an obsessive disorder (OCD) since childhood. Nevertheless, he found a way to deal with it: traveling around the world. Mofid, originally from San Diego, noticed that he often repeated and over -analyzed conversations, while "obsessively looking for clarity or certainty." But the "liberating" feeling of booking a flight ticket and traveling to new destinations helped him to deal with the uncertainty.

The liberating power of travel

"OCD feeds on control: control of the environment, routines and results," says Mofid in an interview with CNN Travel. "However, if you cross chaotic boundaries, sleep on floors or in countries in which one does not speak the language, are confronted with challenges, you are forced to let go of control. This is uncomfortable, but also liberating." This knowledge accompanied him on his journey, which ultimately led him to visit every un-recognized state and every area.

The way to the world record

The obsessive-compulsive disorder that the Mayo Clinic describes as a "pattern of undesirable thoughts and fears", can "dominate the thoughts and actions in a way that is exhaustive." Mofid explains that travel initially became an escape and later a form of healing. During the Covid 19 pandemic, the idea of traveling to each of the 195 un-recognized countries came up with the idea. At the end of April 2025 he met his challenge and reached North Korea with friends.

an important challenge

Around 400 people alone managed to visit every country worldwide. It was particularly important for moped because, according to the assessments, he was the youngest for it. "Visiting every country was not just geography," he says. "It was about learning to live with the uncertainty, to find calm in discomfort and to get in touch with people from all areas of life." This decision was made during a particularly difficult phase in his life.

The initial phase

"One day I was sitting in my apartment. My fear was uncontrollable," MoFid recalls. "I was looking for information on the Internet about how many people had already traveled to every country and found that more people had been in space than in all countries in the world." Soon he realized that he wanted to accept the challenge to go into history as the youngest person.

logistics and challenges

To make his journey "legitimate", Mofid set personal requirements and coordinates them with the criteria of Nomadmania, the platform that leads the record. "My rule was that I had to do something important in every country," he explains. Mofid created a detailed table with considerable combinations of flights and routes to find the most cost -effective options.

special encounters

his visit to Nigeria, a small village that floats on the water, led to the foundation of Humanity Effect , a non-profit organization that supports children in the community. Mofid returned to the village several times and sees it as its greatest legacy. But the path was not without setbacks.

struggle for survival in Algeria

After a stay in Algeria in April 2024, Mofid became very sick. "I couldn't get out of bed for 15 hours," he recalls. He was on the forgetting situation when he started getting hallucinations. That was the point at which he seriously considered. Fortunately, he recovered and was able to enjoy Algeria, which he describes as "unbelievable".

a farewell and return to California

The last stop of his trip was North Korea, where Mofid took part in the Pyongyang International Marathon. "This trip was just incredible," he says. "I became the youngest person who visited every country - at least according to Nomadmania, I beat the previous record holder by six weeks." After returning to California, he began to get used to a life in a permanent place.

reflection and fulfillment

mofid is proud of what he has achieved. "Nobody believes in you as much as yourself," he summarizes. Many of his friends and family members had expressed doubts about his project. Nevertheless, his trip was much more than just a geographical challenge. "Travel helped me to recognize that mental illnesses know no boundaries," explains Mofid, emphasizing that the connection with people from different cultures and backgrounds played an important role in his healing process.