Anxiety

[Figment56]

Maybe some of the other ladies can help me out. This past March I hit the big 50-part of the problem. Last August, we were at Disney and I started getting all these panic/anxiety attacks. Now mind you, I have been to Disney many times as my signature shows and this has never happened before. I got on the monorail with my family and as the door closed, I got off and off they went. I stood there and cried my eyes out. I also got off many other rides and skipped a lot of the ones I love. I know the cause, as most women can probably guess. Here's my question-We are going again in August and I don't want this to happen again. I don't want to have to worry about panic/anxiety attacks and I want to enjoy myself like I once did. Any suggestions would be greatfully accepted!

 

[Candace]

Have you seen a doctor? Hormones can work wonders.

 

[momrek06]

Maybe some of the other ladies can help me out. This past March I hit the big 50-part of the problem. Last August, we were at Disney and I started getting all these panic/anxiety attacks. Now mind you, I have been to Disney many times as my signature shows and this has never happened before. I got on the monorail with my family and as the door closed, I got off and off they went. I stood there and cried my eyes out. I also got off many other rides and skipped a lot of the ones I love. I know the cause, as most women can probably guess. Here's my question-We are going again in August and I don't want this to happen again. I don't want to have to worry about panic/anxiety attacks and I want to enjoy myself like I once did. Any suggestions would be greatfully accepted!

FIGMENT: Not sure about having panic/anxiety attacks....BUT YUP, once I hit the big 50 (2 years ago March) I became PARANOID ....of what you ask....

Locked doors in public restrooms...I have this unbelievable fear I will NOT ever get out...so I never lock doors anymore...and YUP, that can be dangerous but that is MY problem

Small close quarters...again, I cannot go into small rooms LIKE bathrooms and we all know in this WORLD that bathrooms are rooms we must frequent and so call me paranoid....

And OP, I have serious issues with the likes of monorails or subways or commuter rail where the patrons are PACKED IN LIKE SARDINES...not happening....

WHAT IS UP WITH THAT....my family (all males) have no patience for my issues...but hey too bad, they will just have to live with this looney of a mom!!!!

OP: I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!!!!!!!!

I will continue to read your Thread and see what advice YOU get and I may just take some of it!!

 

[eeyoresmom]

First thing I'd like to say is that this is extremely common.Was this the only time this has happened and has it happened since?If not,it very well could have been situational and will never happen again Anxiety breeds anxiety.The more you are anxious about the possibility of the feelings,the more likely they are to occur. Do talk to your doctor about your concerns.This is just my opinion but I would consider discussing the option of a small dose of an anti-anxiety medication that you could use if you did suffer another attack.Usually,just knowing the medication is there if you need it relaxes you enough so that you won't.

 

[bsusanmb]

Well, being at that magical age myself, and being an RN, there are some treatments. You should discuss this with your doctor and hopefully she/he will understand how horrible panic attacks are.

I took estogen for about 6 years, but I also had ativan to put under my tongue for instant relief from my panic attacks. Then I agreed to try one of the SSRI's (seratonin sparing reuptake inhibitor) - like prozac or lexapro etc. The addition of the antidepressant took them away and I haven't had to use the ativan in years. You have a chemical imbalance, and you need medication.

I used to have panic attacks at the monorail too, and no matter how hard I tried to talk myself out of my irrational fear, I couldn't do it. And it is so frighteneing and so embarrassing.

Get help asap. Your life will be more enjoyable.

Best Wishes,
Susan

 

[Disneyrsh]

You might also want to look into a behavioral therapist before you try prescription drugs.

 

[dgaston]

Clinical Psychologist here. The part of your brain that causes panic attacks is the midbrain. That is a part of the brain that evolved (or was created by Supreme Beings) a very long time ago, and IT DOESN"T LISTEN TO THE CORTEX. That means no matter how hard you try to talk yourself out of the panic, your body is trying to respond just as if you'd met a bear while on a Sunday meander in the local park. Your heart races, your breathing increases, your blood pressure raises, all wonderful responses if you have to run away from the bear, or fight it. The earlier suggestion about SSRI's (Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitors) is excellent. The latest, and perhaps the one with fewest side effects is Lexapro. Talk to your doc, and then if SSRI is not indicated, go with ativan or klonopin. Good luck and to you.

 

[dgaston]

And I agree with Disneyrsh about behavioral therapy for PHOBIAS, irrational fears of situations like thunderstorms or animals. I personally believe panic attacks have a different pathway.

 

[Figment56]

Thanks so much to all who have responded! I do take Klonopin-but that hasn't helped much. Instead of taking prescription meds, which I have gotten and can't take because I have also developed severe allergies to most meds-another part of that wonderful age. I have started taking Black Cohosh and a few other natural herbs. I will see if these start to work (I hope) and maybe I won't be so bad. One of my friends recommended these-I hate taking any kind of med period-so I thought this might be a better alternative. Time will tell!

 

[Buckalew11]

Well, you aren't alone. Places like the monorail, buses, lines, and some rides themselves cause panic for me. Makes me wonder why I love Disneyworld! I take 1/8 to 1/4 of 1MG of a xanax almost everyday when I am at WDW. I think I could do the parks now w/o anything but the bus/boatride/monorail would be a nightmare w/o anything.
I've been like this for years so who knows what'll happen when I hit 50!

 

[JerJan]

I FEEL YOUR PAIN! I started having panic/anxiety attacks last year in a car, in the PA mountains on our way to Hershey. It was so bad that my husband flew me and DD5 home and he drove back by himself (boy was he peeved)! All I can say is that when I am in a car in a strange place all I can think of is that I am going to die! My resolution is I don't drive far away from home or I fly....but that can't work forever!

 

[donmil723]

The last two times I have went to WDW, I had an anxiety attack on the way to the airport to head back home. You feel stupid but there is nothing you can do. I do have alprozolam that I can take but so far they have been pretty mild--just rapid breathing, shortness of breath, tightness in my chest and a feeling of impending doom--so I try to work through it by taking deep breaths and not take any meds. We have been involved in a stressful situation at home for quite a while now which I'm sure is playing a huge part in my anxiety attacks. My remedy of choice is to plan more trips to WDW and to stay longer each time!

I feel for you and hope that you can find relief soon.

Donna

 

[gracelrm]

Good Luck and let us know how you do after your trip.

 

[Sammie]

I FEEL YOUR PAIN! I started having panic/anxiety attacks last year in a car, in the PA mountains on our way to Hershey. It was so bad that my husband flew me and DD5 home and he drove back by himself (boy was he peeved)! All I can say is that when I am in a car in a strange place all I can think of is that I am going to die! My resolution is I don't drive far away from home or I fly....but that can't work forever!

Lucky you, that flying does not bother you. As the others stated, my Mom has the same anxiety on the monorail, certain attractions, the shrinking room of HM, Spaceship Earth, etc. But flying is worse for her than anything else.

I appreciate the suggestions others shared I am going to copy and share with Mom.

 

[Jets fan]

I started having panic attacks about 8 years ago after being on body wars. It was hot, hummid and as you are held down by a lap bar I couldn't get out, I totally panicked and thought that I could not breathe.

Unfortunately this was just the trigger and they got steadily worse. I find that on many occasions I cannot ride indoor rides that require me being restrained in any way. Flying was also becoming a problem and as I travel all over Europe for work and live in the UK, it was a massive problem.

I did some research on natural remedies and came up with the following that really works for me:

Extra Strong mints - mint has a claming effect and works straight away

Bach Flower Herbal Remedies - Rock Rose and the all purpose remedy

Water - always have a small bottle of water with you

Small handheld fan - great to hold in front of your face to prove to your brain that you can breathe

I know these these seem like 'too easy to be true' but they do work.

I can now fly without fear, but I still panic in hot places, where I feel I cannot breathe. I am OK on many disney rides, apart from the more obvious ones. But my sister is a great help as she always tests new rides to see if I would be OK on them and I trust her opinion. She knows the triggers that cause me to panic. When we go at Christmas she will be testing Everest for me. I think it's very important to have somebody test rides for you as I really thought that I would hate test track, but after my sister said I would be OK, I went on it (popping mints until they came out of my ears) and I loved it.

Good Luck

 

[Figment56]

I'm glad I started this thread! I never knew so many other women suffered like this too. They need to make a new heading with the rest called Coping with Menopause at Disney! LOL. Just knowing that I am not alone may give me the courage to overcome this and enjoy myself once again. I find being restrained or closed in really bothers me. When we fly, I make sure we sit up front in the plane. Last ones on-first ones off. I find music helps to distract me on the plane. Last year, I even got off The Great Movie Ride-one of my favs! This year I am determied to go on it. I think we should start a club! What does everyone think?

 

[spiceycat]

I have mitral value prolapse - that causes panic attacks. but I can and do take Atenolol for it.

I also have a big problem taking any drugs - but for some reason Atenolol is different.

It has been on the market for years and years for blood pressure. So far no bad effects at all. I have been on it for 15 years.

but it works GREAT on my panic attacks.

however you got to give it time. My doctor say 6 weeks - it worked for me in around 2 weeks.

boy it was a BIG weight off of mind - I though I was going crazy....

of course there are those nights when I decide that I really don't need it - within a week I am back on it... It does not correct the problem - it just makes it livible.

 

[momrek06]

Coping with Menopause at Disney!

Sounds like a great idea to ME!!! I will say Figment: there is a fabulous Message Board called POWER SURGE and it is all about Menopause!!! Check that site out. You will be AMAZED at all the great info you will receive.

Good Luck! I am glad you started this Thread...I don't feel so all alone anymore!!!

 

[Figment56]

bump

 

[KRIS10420]

I have not reached menopause yet but I did develop and anxiety disorder about 10 years ago. Due to the panic attacks and fear of going places, (because I might have a melt down), the depression set in. I have been on the anti-depressant (SSRI's & others) roller coaster ever since. I was given ativan for panic attacks but I never used them as IMO they are bad for you (addictive & bad for your liver). I have to say that medication is not the answer for everyone, but I have a chemical imbalance that I just cannot talk myself out of. The best piece of advice I was given by a psychologist was; when you first notice the panic attack coming on, stop what you are doing and breathe in to the count of 4, hold breath for count of 4, breathe out to the count of 4 and do nothing to the count of four, repeat. It is very difficult to bring yourself down from a panic attack but it can be done and over time it gets easier or better yet you find a treatment the eliminates them. I still avoid movie theaters and when I go to shopping malls my body doesn't have the fight or flight feeling anymore, I just sweat perfusely. Not a fun thing to live with and you are definetly not alone.