Anxiety Issues in WDW

[Tam1067]

Please accept my apologies because I realize my situation is not anywhere near as serious as many of yours. Nonetheless, I'm concerned about our upcoming trip.

Are there any accommodations that can be made for a 10 year old with extreme anxiety problems? He sees a psychologist weekly, and a psychiatrist she recommended we see wants to give him antidepressants for his anxiety. According to the psychiatrist, he has a general anxiety disorder along with elements of OCD and post traumatic stress syndrome (the kids and I were in the vicinity of a mass murder about 18 months ago and had to deal with a very frightening experience). He also suffers from several phobias. His anxiety has become worse in the last year or so (it's what prompted us to get him into therapy).

DH and I do not want to use meds on him at this stage, so we're working on the therapy. DS uses a number of relaxation techniques when he becomes stressed to help him calm down, but I've also learned that in some instances, these techniques do not work that well.

My issue is how to manage WDW when we visit this December. He's been before and has struggled in some situations. He panics in crowds in particular, so the evening shows are stressful. Since we're going at Xmas, I know there will be lots of crowds. So I'm doing my best to avoid the problems I can before we get there by planning well.

That means we booked the Wishes Dessert Party so he can view fireworks without being in the crowds on Main Street or in front of the castle. We will then wait for the area to clear out before leaving. I booked the Candlelight Processional dinner package so we don't have to deal with waiting in crowded areas for that show and Illuminations afterwards.

Rides present a different concern. On past visits, I have done my best in the past to arrive early, use FPs, and really steer clear of large groups of people in the lines, but on our August visit, we had an issue in the Toy Store Mania line where he had a panic attack because of all the people in the line. I am concerned that at Christmas, we will certainly encounter large groups of people in lines even if we take the steps I usually use. He can wait without incident if the line is outside, for instance (and is actually pretty patient), but he cannot handle the crowds without becoming upset and worrying and experiencing a real panic attack.

Will guest services give us a GAC for him so that we can wait outside of the crowds if necessary? If so, what should I tell them? He's not autistic, and he does not have any visible disability, but he does have a serious anxiety disorder which we're trying to help him manage.

Thanks for your help.

[cclovesdis]

Please accept my apologies because I realize my situation is not anywhere near as serious as many of yours. Nonetheless, I'm concerned about our upcoming trip.

Will guest services give us a GAC for him so that we can wait outside of the crowds if necessary? If so, what should I tell them? He's not autistic, and he does not have any visible disability, but he does have a serious anxiety disorder which we're trying to help him manage.

Thanks for your help.

I cannot tell you much about the GAC, but I want you to know that an anxiety disorder is serious. Your child is entitled to special education and related services or protection under Section 504. Please, please do not feel guilty for worrying.

[luvsmickeymouse]

I have anxiety and the worse times were when the lines were going back and forth, and I was in the middle. You know the kind where the rows go back and forth and are separated by ropes.

The other thing that bothers me is the during the shows, if I sit in the middle of the rows of seats, I feel anxiety. If I sit on the edge next to the isle I am fine. I do that at movies and things.

I am fine on rides.

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and :welcome: to disABILITIES!

First of all, the degree of seriousness of a problem is normally not considered in this forum; if a problem with needs exists it is serious (at least in the mind of the poster) and treated with respect.

The GAC is not for a diagnoses but for medical (including mental) needs. If you go, with him, to Guest Relations in your first park and explain the needs they should be able to assist you with the necessary stamp(s) on a GAC.

[Stellapedia]

You can get a GAC to allow him to wait in a different area and then come to the front of the line when you are there. This, of course, depends on that "area" being available.

I would also (and you're surely thought of this) avoid the characters, especially character meals where the atmosphere is a bit chaotic. Smaller restaurants at the resorts are much calmer (and often with way better food) than the ones at the parks. And avoid Disney transport if you can.

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I suffer from GAD and get the GAC, and I am an adult. It definetely is not any guarantee and sometimes the lines are longer and more condensed when using the alternate line. I always ask the CM's which would be better. I also am honest with the CM's for parades and ask for the corner of the wheelchair area so that I am a bit secluded. I usually try to book when I hope the levels will be low. (we all know that there is no guarantee anymore with all the specials Disney offers, and the slowest times can now be the busiest)

I have to ask though, did you ask the Drs. what they recommend. Christmas is just such a busy time that I still can't get myself to book during it. The Drs. may also be able to guide you more on what you can do and if they feel it would be okay for your son to go during this time. Holidays are stressful already.

I wish you the best. How horrible for a little one to have such anxiety. It is such a terrible thing to live with. Hopefully the therapy will work quickly for him.

[Stellapedia]

You can get a GAC to allow him to wait in a different area and then come to the front of the line when you are there. This, of course, depends on that "area" being available.

I would also (and you're surely thought of this) avoid the characters, especially character meals where the atmosphere is a bit chaotic. Smaller restaurants at the resorts are much calmer (and often with way better food) than the ones at the parks. And avoid Disney transport if you can.

[pixie921]

OP, have you discussed your planned trip with your son's therapist?

I have GAD which is *mostly* controlled by a low dose of meds. We spent last Christmas at WDW and there is no way I could've even attempted it without meds. It is extremely crowded, I'm talking NO-room-to-breathe crowded. We had a good time, but I have an extremely understanding husband (and son) and we were willing to skip a LOT if things looked too busy.

Having reservations won't necessarily make things easier. We went to Epcot on Christmas Eve and watched the first CP show from the rear of the theater. We enjoyed it thoroughly, but I still remember the CRUSH of people as we tried to exit the area. And the line for those with CP packages waiting to get into the theater? It stretched from the American Adventure back to Japan. We were so glad we hadn't done the package!!

What I'm saying is ... are you willing at all to reconsider a trip at Disney's busiest time?

My heart goes out to your son for what he's dealing with at such a young age. I think you're a great mom for trying to help him ... if I'd had parents who understood that the anxiety is a real thing, my late teens/early 20s would've been drastically different!

One last thing .... I know you didn't ask for opinions on your decision not to give your son meds, but I just want to mention one thing FWIW and hope you don't take offense. When I first started seeking therapy for the anxiety, my psychologist had me see his partner (a psychiatrist) who wanted to prescribe a low-dose med. I adamantly refused, and let me tell you, I regret that now! I suffered needlessly for years (all the while getting traditional "talk" therapy and refusing any type of med, even when I ended up in the ER with various anxiety symptoms). The meds made life SO much better for me! I'm only saying this to relay my experience and to tell you that even at a low dose, sometimes meds can make life livable and enjoyable again!! :goodvibes

[HamTown]

You are obviously doing everything you can to help your son and that is a wonderful thing. But I have to ask if you've really thought about just how crowded it will be at Christmas. MK usually closes due to capacity every day that week. There won't be many opportunities to get away from the crowds.

I empathize with you and your son. I was witness to a campus shooting while in college and didn't realize how much it affected me until I was on a vacation with my family. Being in a crowded, unfamiliar place sent me into a full blown panic attack when I had no history of anything of the sort.

I know Christmas at WDW is magical. But the magic is there every day of the year. If you could wait 4 weeks the crowds would be almost non-existant. We love late January because we never have to wait for anything except Soarin'.

Good luck to you and your son. I pray that the therapy and love help and heal both of you.

[EDuke98080]

Chritmas time is a very busy crowded time. I actually had a panic attack inside Toy Story Mania as well - it was horrible! Maybe it is just the way they snake you through there. Anyhow, maybe going at such a busy time you should consider skipping parks and chilling by the pools or mini golfing or one of the water parks... We go that time of year and stay away from MK and head to EPCOT but stay away from the fireworks crowds as well. If the meds would make all of your lives easier maybe you should consider it. Wouldn't it be great if he could relax and really enjoy your trip? Just food for thought Have a great trip!

[robinb]

What I'm saying is ... are you willing at all to reconsider a trip at Disney's busiest time?
I second this. Christmas/NYE is the busiest time of year at WDW. I would not consider exposing a child whose doctor has suggested medication for every day life but who is not yet on that medication to the chaos that is WDW that week.

Just so YOU know what you're getting into here are some photos from that week:

Small World at 11:00. It's a 40 minute wait.

http://personalpages.tds.net/%7Erb/DIS/NYE/SmallWorld11am.JPG

http://personalpages.tds.net/%7Erb/DIS/NYE/FantasyLandNoon.JPG

Space Mountain at 10:00 pm. A 175 minute wait:
http://personalpages.tds.net/%7Erb/DIS/NYE/SpaceMountain10pm.JPG


Line to get INTO The Land:
http://personalpages.tds.net/%7Erb/DIS/NYE/NYE06LandLine.jpg

Standby time at NOON:
http://personalpages.tds.net/%7Erb/DIS/NYE/NYE06SoarinTimes.jpg

This is the end of the line for the SAFARI. It is past the Dawa Bar and over the bridge:

http://personalpages.tds.net/%7Erb/DIS/NYE/SafariLine122008.jpg

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I don't think that Christmas week is the right time for anyone with anxiety issues to go to WDW. If you go a couple weeks earlier you can see all the Christmas decorations at a much slower and less crowded pace.

[s&k'smom]

Just wanted to say I totally understand, my son, who is autistic, but also has many anxiety issues. We always break up the day with visits to the pool and hotel room, for him it worked really well, we would hang out in the room, have a snack, maybe watch some tv, then take a swim and work off some nervous energy. We also made sure he had his "blanky" and a few things from home to comfort him. We put them in his school backpack which he was happy to carry with him while on the plane and getting to the hotel.

Best of luck and have a great trip.

[KirstenB]

Do you have any flexibility to change the timing of your trip? PLease reconsider going at Christmas. Our older dd is a middle schooler, so I can understand not wanting to take off of school. We went in early June this year, and although the crowds were nowhere near what they are at Christmas, it was still hard on our younger dd who has autism.

In hindsight, I should have built a lot more downtime into the schedule. DH and I should have split up, and each taken a kid to help our younger dd go at her own pace.

[Metsfan520]

This is my reaction to looking at those pictures: :scared1:

I really understand wanting to go to WDW, but I don't think Christmas time is good for a child with those issues. If there is any way you can go earlier, please reconsider.

[robinb]

This is my reaction to looking at those pictures: :scared1:That was the reaction I was looking for :thumbsup2. We go for Christmas/NYE every year. But no one in my family has anxiety issues and I LOVE crowds. I know, I'm weird that way.

I think that a lot of people have this general idea in their head about how "crowded" WDW is over Christmas because that's what everyone says. but they do not have any real conception of exactly what "crowded" means. It means jam-packed and shoulder-to-shoulder with long lines for everything. The Magic Kingdom and Epcot routinely close their gates to new visitors multiple times that week because they reach capacity! It can be tons of fun for people who can plan and who don't mind being human sardines at least once at some time during the day. I think it would be a nightmare for someone with serious anxiety disorders.

OP, I would make sure that you talk to your son's doctor before you go. If your trip is set in stone, maybe the meds that your doctor wants your son to take will help him deal with the crowds :hug:.

[JoBird]

Please please please reconsider taking your son during this time.

I don't think anyone can actually understand how horrific- yes, horrific- the crowds are then until they have experienced them themselves.

When you're in the MK and a CM tells you "The front gates let 96,000 people in by 1:00"- and you look to your left and right and you are shoulder to shoulder with people-- moving en masse b/c there's nothing else you can do-- you realize just how many 96,000 people are.

It is scary for people who don't have any anxiety issues.

To take someone who is terrified of crowds into their worst nightmare is torturous at best.

MK at Christmas is beautiful. But for a child with anxiety issues, being thrown into a crowd like that- it is a nightmare- it is far from magical. He won't be able to enjoy it, and neither will you.

And it isn't just standing in line where you will have issues. The whole park is one large mass of people. Standing outside of a ride will not take you out of a crowd. You're just swapping one crowded place for another.

In 2006, we were in the Magic Kingdom. You could not move. There was a man having a heart attack on one of the bridges- it took the medics HOURS to get to him, b/c there were that many people crammed into every available space. No one could move one inch.

It was not fun.

Please think long and hard about taking him. If it were my child, and I knew he had issues like you describe, I could not in good conscience knowingly put him into that atmosphere.

You don't want to be the family on the bridge with no where to go and a panicked child.


You have him in therapy and He's trying to get better. If there's even a hint of a question of whether or not he could handle it- why risk his mental well being for this trip?

[tinker&belle]

I just wanted to offer my two cents...

I experienced PTSD after the death of my brother. I participated in EMDR therapy (you can google it to get information and find someone who does it in your area.)

It was amazing. I could literally feel my body changing during my sleep after the treatment. After a few sessions I moved from being "stuck" to actual normal grief. I would really recommend this for anyone else who has experienced PTSD. I know someone who had had PTSD for twenty years and experienced a huge change after just one session of this type of therapy.

On the topic of the day at Christmas, it is SO crowded. I went once the Friday following Christmas and it was awful, truly awful. I would avoid it at all costs, especially for your son's sake. See if you can get a GAC, but even with I would see if you could push the trip up or back a few weeks.

[2luvmickey]

My DS 18 was JUST diagnosed with anxiety and Asperger's in June. This has been a long road in a 10 year struggle to help him.

Like your son, he sees a psychologist weekly, but I must say, the addition of medication has helped a great deal. It is started on a low dose, just enough to take the edge off.

My family has made several trips to WDW, and this past Aug. I took the boys again. One day DS 18 didn't take his meds, and I noticed the difference! Poor baby! We resisted medication for so long, and I feel terrible that my child had these internal struggles with anxiety.

Only you know your child the best, and consult with his doctors on this upcoming trip. My son has his brothers as buffers, and maintaining a conversation while waiting for rides is helpful. I also carry a deck of cards to pull out and play while waiting for our food. And, a midday break is a must.

You are doing the right thing taking him to professionals to help him. Not to knock the profession, but not one (and we saw 5 over 10 years) mentioned any issues until 18 months ago. All I heard is that he is bright yet painfully shy. NO ONE knows a child like their mother. What does your "gut" tell you?

Good luck and keep positive!!

[cclovesdis]

Hi and :welcome: to disABILITIES!

First of all, the degree of seriousness of a problem is normally not considered in this forum; if a problem with needs exists it is serious (at least in the mind of the poster) and treated with respect.


Thanks for letting me know. I did not mean to be disrespectful, but I can understand now how that may have happened. I apologize and I hope you enjoy your trip.

[mcco5543]

I have anxiety too. I've already done the therapy and there are times when using my "mental tools" are not enough. Especially for this trip I would consider tryiyng him on a very low dose of an anti anxiety med as needed if an anxiety attack occurs. I was very against doing this. But had to give in in order to be able to function and now i'm so glad i did. I'm on a dose so low it technically should be raised, but it works just enough too take the edge off so I can calm down and deal with the anxiety. Doesn't make it go awayy, just makes it manageable so that my mental tools actually work. The med i have is as needed only so it's not always in my system. I am going to gently suggest just consiering it for yoru child as it really could help him truly enjoy his trip ..maybe not anxiety free, but with managable anxiety. Disney is not the place to have the biggest anxiety attack you've ever had and not have any kind of medication to help you calm down if you need it. Not that he will have any anxiety higher than normal necessarily but I think Disney wouldn't be a good place to have that type of attack jsut in case. Have a great time no matterwhwen you go!

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and im also worried about taking this trip. I am on medication, it helps but there is always that thought in my head something is going to happen. I am going to try my best to make this trip a happy one.

[PatMcDuck]

My 17 year old daughter has PTSD and aniexty issues. So bad she missed the entire junior year of high school, so I certainly understand. (She has also had bad health problems in the last 2 years).

She has been in therapy for 13 months, and it is still usually weekly, we will try and stretch it to every 2 weeks soon, I hope. She has been on medicaction for about 9 months. Sorry to say, she tried several meds before settling on one. It was not fun.

We are going over New Years, not Christmas, but it will be almost as bad with crowds. We hope for a break after New Years, but who knows. I think if she starts to feel anxious, she will just leave the attraction..... she is much better now, back in school full time since Sept. She is so excited to go, we will try it. She is old enough to understand her condition and feel the panic attack coming, so she can usually avoid them now.

I do not think many attractions have seperate waiting areas, and many times the FP queue is quite packed and backed up like the regular line (with a shorter wait of course). I am not sure I would take DD if her condition was still not under control, she has not been to Disney for 1 1/2 years for this reason (we usually went late August every summer). And to go the busiest week out of 52 in the year would be a tough decision for me. The GAC is about what accomadations they can make, and I can't really think of any that would help avoid the crowds, other than the alternate waiting area (what rides have this available?)

[Cmbar]

[QUOTE=PatMcDuck;34114989]My 17 year old daughter has PTSD and aniexty issues. So bad she missed the entire junior year of high school, so I certainly understand. (She has also had bad health problems in the last 2 years).

She has been in therapy for 13 months, and it is still usually weekly, we will try and stretch it to every 2 weeks soon, I hope. She has been on medicaction for about 9 months. Sorry to say, she tried several meds before settling on one. It was not fun.

[QUOTE]

To the OP:
I also want to encourage you to not go at Christmas! And I know you didn't solicit any opinions on Meds, but I wanted to quickly encourage you to very much consider allowing you son to try medication. My Daughter is now 10 and has been on a very small dose of lexapro for her anxiety. We had her in therapy from the time she was about 4 or 5 (she was selective mute with severe social anxiety). We fought medicine tooth and nail.

A few things to consider:

With anxiety therapy is useless if the anixiety doesn't allow them to process and apply the strategies. The meds allow them to be able to have the anxiety off enough to focus on the therapy.

A wise doctor told us that if your child does not need the meds then they won't work. For us two to three weeks on medicine and she was a happy and relaxed child. For us it was night and day and I cried because I realized I had been keeping her in a state of anxiety because of my own anxiety about drugs.

The younger you start a child on some medication therapy the much higher prognosis that they won't need it later. My husband wants her off yesterday simply because he doesn't want her on any drug. But the Psychologist we saw just yesterday said that while you are concerned about putting a child on medicine at a young age, this is also the age where the self esteem is hugely developed and for kids with social anxiety you will see them start to also show signs of depression. Have you ever heard him say "I hate my life, or found notes about not liking himself? The doctor says that if you wait to treat a child that TRULY needs the meds then you now have complications of low self esteem and depression to treat and then you are trying to treat them when they are teens (as noted above by a PP) and trying to find the right meds is difficult. Now is the best time to try, not when they are in middle and high school and already feel they are unable to be successful. Also, one huge thing I found was that the children at school basically "wrote her off" because they knew she was too shy to play, or wouldn't talk to them". She still has struggles maybe starting conversations, but now she actually has friends and is able to "hang" with people. But it took a long time after SHE felt ready to do that for the others to accept this new personality.

Lastly, medicine and therapy are needed together. I am not suggesting doing medication and then drop therapy (although with the meds for my DD it was so apparent that she felt such a difference that it was tempting to just say she's fixed). But we know that she needs to remain on both for the short term in order for her to be able to have a better prognosis for her future and not need either in the long run.


Again I know you didn't solicit this, but please know that with all my heart I understand your pain and trepidation to think he may need medication. Please consider strongly giving it a try. Please feel free to send a private message if you want any more information.

Good luck! For our DD we just never would go to Disney at a crowded time. We are going this Thanksgiving and we are conisdering asking for a GAC but to be honest I don't think she will need it. Good luck! Sending prayers and good wishes for your son. I know how absolutely devastating it is to watch them hurt in this manner. Know that you are being an outstanding parent trying to get him help now!