Anxiety attacks/Depression about WDW!!

[tinkerrn]

Have been having severe anxiety attacks and increased depression for the past month or so. Life has just gotten a little complicated; dad has end stage alzheimers, mom has physical/financial problems, turning 35 in 2 weeks, being laid off a work , having problems finding another job in same field, the possibility of changing field of work ( I am a nurse), first year of marriage,etc..

Ok, so I have been planning this 'dream' vacation for the last year, ever since we came back from our honeymoon at WDW. Well, in 3 weeks we will be leaving to go back and its adding even more stresson. I am almost at the point to cancel the trip. We currently have 7 nights planned at the CBR. I am obsessivley going over and over all things that will happen on this trip. I just don't want to have a melt down in WDW. I am having panic attacks in the grocey, Walmart, etc. The crowds, noise, stimulation is getting to me. I used to thrive off of any stimulation, being diagnoise as ADD, now it makes everything soooo much worse.

So, the thing is I need to decide if I should just cancel the trip or if shortening our trip will help. I was thinking of shortening it down to 4 nights and switching resorts. I am so afraid I will break down and need to get to our room quickly. I was thinking of switching to a monorail resort for the location. Any ideas....any will be very much appreciated. ewven making a decision is impossible lately.

I have an appt. with a psychiatrist set up after our trip, no opening prior.

 

[magicmouse2]

 

[Schmeck]

Switching to a monorail resort will only get you back quickly from MK. CBR is centrally located to all of the parks, and is very close to MGM and EPCOT.

What if you rented a car? Then you could leave, or at least have a private place to calm down at the parks.

Sending positive vibes that you get to take this trip, as it sounds like you really need it! ~~~~~~~~~

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you are starting to have a problem you can go to First Aid in any park (including the water parks) which is out of the noiuse and pressure; if necessary you can even lie down and take a short nap.

Cancelling will probably just add more stress, and as Schmeck said shortening and going to a monorail resort will only help if you are at MK.

What you may want to do is actually cut down a bit on your scheduling, start off at one park in the morning, and go back to your room or veg out at the quiet pool near your room for about an hour or so, and then go back or to a different park.

One very important thing is don't try to do any "commando" touring. Reduce your list of "must do" for another trip, and have a list of "it would be nice to do".

And as a nurse I don't know any place where you could not get a job.

A last thought concerns if your husband has a transferrable job; Disney almost always has openings for RNs, having at least two on duty at a first aid location at each park while they are open as well as a large employee health service. Also Orlando has a lot of hospitals and UCF has just been approved for a medical school.

 

[kandb]

My opinion is maybe with so much going on it would be better to put off the trip for a little while, unless delaying it will make you very unhappy. Maybe right now it's just too much for you with all that you have going on in your life. Are you taking any medication for your anxiety? If you do decide to go, I would go to your regular MD and get a mild tranquilizer just in case you need it while you are on vacation. Good luck, anxiety sucks, a lot of people get it, you're not alone. Linda

 

[jbird327]

I went through a similar episode about two years ago, brought on by a combination of nasal polyps that totally blocked off breathing through my nose, antibiotics (leviquan), a new high blood pressure med and my best friend of 40 years being diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). The first thing I did was stop all caffeine. I then began doing breathing exercises, listened to soft music, had accupuncture treatment, and as a last resort had my doctor prescribe Xanax .5 mg. I would take 1/2 a tablet if things got bad. I found that I was able to reduce my anxiety through breathing. I read a good book (Natural relief for anxiety), switched antibiotics, had sinus surgery, and the anxiety eventually resolved itself. I still avoid caffeine, refined sugars and generally have a better understanding of what created the anxiety.
I would try the breathing exercises and you may find that it has an impact before you leave. If you get a medication, make sure you know how you respond to it before you leave and make sure you have enough for the trip. I wouldn't shorten the trip, you could probably leave early - not sure if you are driving or flying - if needed. The trip might be a good break before getting back to a job and dealing with all the other stuff. As others have stated, don't try to do everthing when you are there, just take it easy and enjoy the atmosphere. Maybe enjoy a tour or two. Having a car would make it easy to get around and you would not have to deal with crowded buses or monorails. My trip to WDW with my friend (his last big trip) was about hanging out, enjoying the meals and the time we could spend together. He was still able to get around at that time so we did the Keys to the Kingdom tour and the Steam Train tour, spent the afternoons hanging out at the hotel, and then went to wherever we had planned for dinner. It was not about how many times we could ride Space Mt, ect. Hope some of this helps.

 

[CathyRose]

So sorry you are going through so much all at once. I have struggled with anxiety and being overwhelmed at times too, and I think the hardest thing is just to get your mind to stop going a mile a minute. I also suffer with tinnitus a severe ringing in my ears 24/7 and any sensory stimulation makes it harder to bear. I use my IPOD with relaxing piano music to distract myself and calm my nerves. The breathing exercise really do help too. As far as the trip goes, if it were me and I would lose money if I cancelled, I would probably go but let the scheduled activities go and just go with the flow and see and do what you feel like doing. No one says you have to do everything this time. We are going in Sept and I am determined not to stress out about seeing and doing everything. Just try to enjoy yourself. Getting away for a few days won't solve the problems you are facing just now but it might give you a little break.
I really wish you the best, and I'm sending you a prayer and a cyber-hug!

 

[Tiffer]

I have had anxiety and panic attacks since age 18. Although they are better now, I always need to be prepared that one could happen. I am very drug sensitive and really don't ingest anything. I have tried different medications years ago out of desperation and all had adverse affects onme. I found that one thing worked. I took a very low dosage of zoloft for 6 mos only. Be aware that some Dr.'s aren't always on the ball and leave people on these anti-depressants for YEARS. My mother just went off them about a year agao after being on them for MANY years and it was an ordeal. Withdrawl. I can see how some can get suicidal. Thankfully she did not. And she is fine now, for those that feel concern.

Now what I do, is cut a 10 mg valium into 1/4 ths. And take it ONLY when absolutely necessary, which for me is about only 2-3 times a year now. Was more frequent before the Zoloft, coupled with an anxiety therapist. As anxiety and depression go hand in hand.

FYI-my old therapist told me that panic attacks are most prominent in mediterranian decent woman?? I don't know if this applies to you, but it did me.

I always have them with me so in case of an attack, I can calm down yet, function normally, although I avoid driving when I take it.

I am not a Doctor. I suugest talking to your Doctor about this. This is just what has worked for me for many years. Never take any drugs that aren't prescribed to you.....

The biggest fear of panic attacks is the fear of having a panic attack! That's why the safety net of the 2.5 mg of valium helps me to know that I won't have to be embarassed if I have one. Which helps me not to have one.

So don't let it control your life...YOU control it! Also, rythmic breathing helps alot too. Mind over matter....I will not succumb...etc.

DON'T Cancel your trip unless you HAVE too! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Hope this helps.

 

[emerymt]

I just went through this (my anxiety is not as bad as yours now, but it has been even worse than yours sounds, if you can believe it) on a trip to a Hawaii. First- you must go. I did cancel a trip to the Bahamas once, because of anxiety, and what a costly and needless mistake that was. Then I fretted about the wasted money, how I disappointed my family, how I let the anxiety control me, etc. etc. etc. A whole new set of worries.

You will feel better if you do- then you might feel like YOU are in control of YOUR feelings- not the other way around. Getting out and around will get your mind off of your concerns (real & imagined ones)- it might take a couple of days to settle down, though. If you start trying to do normal things, you might start to feel normal. Make a list of all the really great things that WILL happen when you go- that helped me. If you haven't been treated, you need to see a psychiatrist right away- if not see if you can get in to your primary care provider. A short-term use of sedatives like klonopin or valium might really help, you won't get addicted and they will avert panic attacks, which are SO horrible.

Don't start anything like Zoloft until you get back, though, unless the psychiatrist really thinks it's okay. Sometimes you get worse before you get better on SSRIs- but you may need them over the long haul until you get through these crises. Good luck & God bless.

 

[Tiffer]

A short-term use of sedatives like klonopin or valium might really help, you won't get addicted and they will avert panic attacks, which are SO horrible.

Don't start anything like Zoloft until you get back, though, unless the psychiatrist really thinks it's okay. Sometimes you get worse before you get better on SSRIs- but you may need them over the long haul until you get through these crises. Good luck & God bless.

If you are drug sensitive, watch out for Klonopin. It knocked me out. Literally. That's why I do such an incredibly low dose of valium. If it is a really bad one, I can always take another 2.5 MG. It only takes about 15-20 minutes to take effect.

If you are drug sensitive, talk to your Dr about low doses of whatever they presecribe.

 

[tinkerrn]

We have decided to go on our vacation, but are cuttting WDW short. We are only staying 2 nights and then driving over to Longboat Key. My sister owns a house there and thinks it would be relaxing and calming. As for med, I am sooo sensitive to anything I take, I am very hesitant to take anything. I have tried xanax in the past, but it made me very agitated and hyper.

I am trying to find different coping mechanisms to deal with my attacks. I attempted to go to the grocery yesterday, but panicked and had to leave. DH is as confused as I am to the iincreased anxiety. We both work in the mental health field, but can't diagnosis. The increased stressors in my life have just taken over. Thanks for everyones support.

 

[JenJen]

I wanted to let you know about my trip last week to Disneyland Resort. I had not gone all summer because of crowds and a lot of people told me the crowds died down. I have had anxiety attacks for a few years but this year the became worse after a severe infection that put me in the Hospital.
I went and I was okay for about a hour. Keep in mind we get a GAC for the kids issues that allows us to use the alternate access when avalible (and it is not always available) and it still was not enough for me. It was still just too crowded and I got Panicky and we had to leave. I am very lucky because I don't pay to get in i use to work there and I have people sign me in so It was just a gas expanse.
If you are going now I think kids are back in school and things will not be as bad. It is not the waiting in line that is the big problem for me it is the crowds of people that does. I am sure everyone is different on how they react to different situations as well.
I hope you have a great trip and if you start to feel that scary feeling just step out of the environment you are in and find a quiet spot to gather yourself. Take as long as you need tell your family you need a time out and warn them that may happen several times a day.
((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))
Jen​

 

[tinkerrn]

I wanted to let you know about my trip last week to Disneyland Resort. I had not gone all summer because of crowds and a lot of people told me the crowds died down. I have had anxiety attacks for a few years but this year the became worse after a severe infection that put me in the Hospital.
I went and I was okay for about a hour. Keep in mind we get a GAC for the kids issues that allows us to use the alternate access when avalible (and it is not always available) and it still was not enough for me. It was still just too crowded and I got Panicky and we had to leave. I am very lucky because I don't pay to get in i use to work there and I have people sign me in so It was just a gas expanse.
If you are going now I think kids are back in school and things will not be as bad. It is not the waiting in line that is the big problem for me it is the crowds of people that does. I am sure everyone is different on how they react to different situations as well.
I hope you have a great trip and if you start to feel that scary feeling just step out of the environment you are in and find a quiet spot to gather yourself. Take as long as you need tell your family you need a time out and warn them that may happen several times a day.
((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))
Jen​

Thank you for sharing your story, I am very sorry about your anxiety.
We are staying only 2, 3 days tops at WDW. This will be a relaxed and easy going trip to WDW. I believe that DH is looking at the resorts and will make a decision soon as to which we will stay at. I am gearing for the Grand. We'll see. I still am not psyched out about going, I just want some normalcy in my life right now. I have a job interview tomorrow for a manager position at a hospital. I am very anxious about this. This will be a full time position and I have only worked part time for the last 4 years. This position is in the same field of nursing I have been in for the last 7 years. So, cross your fingers. The anxiety just wipes away all confidence I have in myself. UGH!!!!!!!