Anxiety?

[Delphinidae]

I don't know if this is the right board for this or not, but it seemed like the best out of the bunch.

I have an anxiety disorder, and while it seemed to be getting better after my divorce was final and I was able to move away, it now seems to be getting much worse. The main focus of my post really is: does anyone else here on the Disboards suffer from anxiety? And if so, can you please give me tips that pertain to planning your Disney trip?! It honestly used to be one of my favorite things to do, but all the constant back to back changes happening with Disney recently just killed my enthusiasm. I haven't been here on the boards in quite some time because I didn't want to see anymore changes. And now when I start to think about getting touring plans figured out, looking at park hours, planning dining, fast passes, etc etc etc, I get a knot in my stomach.

I know this is probably a silly post, but I just wondered if anyone out there was in the same boat or has advice. And please no negative posts.

 

[low-key]

If planning a trip doesn't get your juices flowing, I think I might see a Doctor for some Meds that might help, that might make a big difference

 

[JaxDad]

I don't know if this is the right board for this or not, but it seemed like the best out of the bunch.

I have an anxiety disorder, and while it seemed to be getting better after my divorce was final and I was able to move away, it now seems to be getting much worse. The main focus of my post really is: does anyone else here on the Disboards suffer from anxiety? And if so, can you please give me tips that pertain to planning your Disney trip?! It honestly used to be one of my favorite things to do, but all the constant back to back changes happening with Disney recently just killed my enthusiasm. I haven't been here on the boards in quite some time because I didn't want to see anymore changes. And now when I start to think about getting touring plans figured out, looking at park hours, planning dining, fast passes, etc etc etc, I get a knot in my stomach.

I know this is probably a silly post, but I just wondered if anyone out there was in the same boat or has advice. And please no negative posts if you don't believe anxiety is a disorder.

I suggest going to the Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies forum and ask for planning help. People live for that stuff! As you get to know a poster or two you can work with them through private messages. Good luck! You will have a nice vacation to look forward to!

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Anxiety is my thing, that's for sure. I wish I could tell you how to feel better, but I can tell you that you are not alone in all of this.

 

[Sweetpancake]

I do suffer from generalized anxiety disorder as well, so I know how much of a challenge it can be. The most important skill to learn when suffering from anxiety is mindfulness. I've read some awesome books by Gina Lake (you can find them on amazon for a great price) It may sound too simple to be effective, but living in the moment is really the key to happiness. That coupled with meditating has been really beneficial for me. Also watch the amount of sugar and caffeine you're having on a daily basis.

As for planning tips. While I do think some aspects need to be planned, especially reservations to restaurants and I know certain rides definitely require a fast pass. But maybe go more with the flow for this holiday instead of doing extensive planning and stressing yourself out? I would say do the absolute essential and leave the rest.

 

[Capang]

My anxiety is rough. If planning seems overwhelming you could try a Disney TA. We found a little cal one and we live her. I still do a bulk of the planning, choosing hotels, dates, ADR lists etc. she made the calls. Having to work and not be able to call or be online as soon as reservations opened increased my anxiety. You are definitely not alone. Anxiety can really suck the life out of you.

 

[sonnyjane]

I can't stress enough the benefits of talking to someone in therapy. I've always had some mild anxiety. When something really is troubling me I'll do a series of 4-6 appointments or so and refresh my coping skills. A lot of dealing with it comes from awareness of what's going on. "Why are you awake at 3 AM worrying about this? There's nothing you can do about this now. When your alarm goes off and you go into work you can deal with it then. Go back to bed..." Etc. luckily I haven't had to see anybody for probably about 3 years now due to my coping strategies I picked up in therapy.

 

[superme80]

My husband suffers from severe anxiety. He is mainly unmedicated, but has one pill he takes when the stress starts. I am going to assume there are no children on this trip. That alleviates a lot of stress. Also are you traveling alone? We did Disneyland right before Christmas, and we had a lot of issues due to us being uneducated about how Disney handled this. Since we went as a family, if need be, I was able to stand in line, and my husband was able to meet me at the loading area. Also take it slow. Do not do rope drop if it stresses you out. Take breaks. If you are traveling in a group, take some time for yourself. Even if it is just to browse a gift shop, get a drink, or watch others on a ride. Know that is it gets to be too much, you can always go back to the hotel to rest. Sleep in! My dad came with us, so I was able to meet him at the park with my kids, and DH came later. Just take it at your own pace. Enjoy your trip!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't know if this is the right board for this or not, but it seemed like the best out of the bunch.

I have an anxiety disorder, and while it seemed to be getting better after my divorce was final and I was able to move away, it now seems to be getting much worse. The main focus of my post really is: does anyone else here on the Disboards suffer from anxiety? And if so, can you please give me tips that pertain to planning your Disney trip?! It honestly used to be one of my favorite things to do, but all the constant back to back changes happening with Disney recently just killed my enthusiasm. I haven't been here on the boards in quite some time because I didn't want to see anymore changes. And now when I start to think about getting touring plans figured out, looking at park hours, planning dining, fast passes, etc etc etc, I get a knot in my stomach.

I know this is probably a silly post, but I just wondered if anyone out there was in the same boat or has advice. And please no negative posts.

Not a silly post, anxiety is a PITA.

I suspect you have some depression going on here with your planning. Anxiety and depression kind of go hand in hand.

I have been dealing with family members for yrs with severe anxiety, depression & bipolar issues.

What solutions would be acceptable to you?

You could hire a TA to care of details for this trip. Esp. if you really want a trip.
And it is OK to do this, you just have to allow yourself to do it.

You could do some talk therapy to help you with your planning. As odd as that sounds, it is actually something very healthy to do.

Or if you do not want to do the 2 things above, you could break down your planning and do a little bit each week. However this does take some discipline on your part and I would only suggest that if you feel you could do that. You have to be careful about skirting the depression.

We openly talk here at home about healthy ways to go about life with regards to anxiety & depression since I have to deal with many personalities with issues.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I don't know if this is the right board for this or not, but it seemed like the best out of the bunch.

I have an anxiety disorder, and while it seemed to be getting better after my divorce was final and I was able to move away, it now seems to be getting much worse. The main focus of my post really is: does anyone else here on the Disboards suffer from anxiety? And if so, can you please give me tips that pertain to planning your Disney trip?! It honestly used to be one of my favorite things to do, but all the constant back to back changes happening with Disney recently just killed my enthusiasm. I haven't been here on the boards in quite some time because I didn't want to see anymore changes. And now when I start to think about getting touring plans figured out, looking at park hours, planning dining, fast passes, etc etc etc, I get a knot in my stomach.

I know this is probably a silly post, but I just wondered if anyone out there was in the same boat or has advice. And please no negative posts.

I am fortunate that I do not suffer from anxiety but I can testify that reading the planning forums and the super duper planners is enough to give anyone anxiety. My husband and I went to WDW Dec 2015 and I did the planning. It was enough to cause me anxiety, heartburn and headache all rolled into one. I'm not an uber planner and the all the changes were a bit much at first.

I made a list of what I needed to really take care of in order of importance.

Vacation dates and budget incorporated
Disney Reservation
Starting to look at plane tickets (this is not my first purchase as our dates tend to change)
Start to look at restaurant menus and making some reservations (I like to do a sit down everyday)

Then I take a break of a few days to a week because I feel over whelmed and overloaded with details. I don't read the people constantly changing and tweaking their plans because it just makes me twitch. I'm not a perfectionist and I don't expect perfection on vacation.

I've had a break and time to think and whew okay back to planning

Park days and down days
Plane tickets
FastPass+ scheduling (this was not as difficult as I anticipated at all and the hours can be changed so you aren't locked into the option on the calendar)
Vacation shopping (from an accumulated list)
Looking over the details again and making sure I have the dinning reservations I want and the FP+ plans
Pack
Vacation and appreciate not being at work

There are some very very nice people on the planning boards with already made touring plans and details planners. I imagine that they would share with you as well and that could help you out. Make a list and timeline of when you'd like to achieve things. Then stop and take a break. It can be very easy to get overwhelmed making all these plans and trying to make a perfect vacation.

If you find your anxiety is more than just disney planning, please do go back to your therapist and get it all out. Don't let everything stay and boil over inside.

Have a great vacation!

 

[Kriii]

I do not have anxiety and cannot offer advice but I do wish you the best.

 

[alliecat523]

I have anxiety too and am on a super low dose of meds. It's really worked for me. In any case, planning can be overwhelming but you have to take almost everything on these boards with a grain of salt. Yes, certain things need to be planned, but you will literally make yourself crazy trying to plan and account for EVERYTHING. Each person's experience is their own and while one may say the parks are insanely crowded, another may feel they are manageable. Same with wait times and ADRs. If you go in expecting the worst, you'll probably end up feeling like it's the worst.

Also, things happen. You may have the best laid plans and your flight is late, or a ride shuts down. You have to have some flexibility. Remember what's important (relaxing and enjoying your trip) and you'll be fine.

 

[havaneselover]

I deal with this as well. It's always been an issue but it's gotten worse post-divorce. At times I shake in stressful situations--super fun. My therapist told me to talk to my md which I have yet to do but need to because it's dramatically impacted my quality of life.

 

[Christine]

I have lifelong anxiety that I just deal with and can usually cope. But I have to agree with you on the trip planning. I have always been a BIG planner, but with all the changes they've made over the last few years with Disney (ADRs WAY out, FP+, etc) it just kind of killed the joy for me. I don't even want to do it, but I do want to go.

 

[Tasha228]

I take Lexapro. I tried Buspar first because that is a non narcotic that is supposed to be really good and mild. It made me so loopy and sick. I can not take it. The Lexapro is good and also non narcotic. It isn't a cure all though. I have to try to work through anxiety in other ways sometimes too, such as know what my triggers are.

Planning a trip doesn't cause me anxiety so I'm not much help there. My anxiety has more to do with stressors in relationships, meeting a bunch of new people at once, etc. I handle some huge things well and then get super anxious about something small that surprises even me at times.

 

[cabanafrau]

This idea probably won't be warmly welcomed here, but I feel it's worth a moment's consideration anyway. We've all loved our Disney trips in the past and looked forward to an opportunity to return. The changes over the past several years have removed our incentive to return. WDW doesn't offer the style of vacation we enjoy anymore. Some of your hesitations may be legitimate, not anxiety related at all.

I would encourage you to think about it seriously and decide if your concerns are for concrete reasons that might encourage you to vacation elsewhere, of course being careful not to fall into a trap of letting your anxiety get the better of you and prevent you from enjoying a WDW trip if that's truly your heart's desire. Good luck and have a fabulous vacation, whatever that may mean for you.

 

[MrsDuck]

I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I don't take medication but do my best to control it using psychological techniques. Disney CAN give me anxiety, especially in crowds. I totally get it. Travelling is stressful for me, especially if airplanes are involved (not afraid to fly, just hate the process - worried about being late, delays, losing stuff, etc).

My recommendation to you is do what you can. I can't do EPCOT during Food and Wine - the crowds in World Showcase stress me out too much. You know what upsets you, so don't do it. Don't forget, you don't need to do as much planning as some people do (if it stresses you out).

 

[QueenIsabella]

Do you "have" to go to Disney at this point in your life? I'm not asking to be mean, but if the changes at Disney are stressing you out, and the planning needed these days is giving you anxiety, I wonder if a trip at this point in time is really healthy for you. Are you planning on going solo, or are there others going, too? If it's just you, I would most definitely put off a trip, even for a few months, and get the anxiety better managed. It seems like these days, a trip to Disney entails a great deal of advance planning--meals, fast passes, etc.--I can see where it could trigger your anxiety. A lower-keyed vacation might be a better choice--maybe a resort with activities available, if you chose, or even a cruise? A Disney cruise might hit yoru sweet spot--Disney characters and fun, but a lot less planning, and plenty of activities to do (or not).

 

[yoopermom]

My and DH's 25th anniversary is this spring, and, even though we rarely get to go on trips together (like every 5 years), he said, "Take 3K and plan something for us, I don't care, you pick." My FIRST thought was WDW, of course, but the more I planned, the more anxious I got. It just wasn't....fun.

I slept on it for a few nights, and decided, maybe this isn't the time for WDW, maybe later will be. For the same amount of $$ we are taking a two week car trip to NM/AZ, staying where we feel like it, when we feel like it, seeing what we want to see when we want to see it, eating whatever looks good whenever we're hungry...well, you get the picture . I'm making what DH affectionately calls a "deal a meal" pile of index cards with various attractions on them, and we're going to pick what catches our fancy, and not worry about the rest. For me, it has cut my anxiety to almost nil. It also helps that we're driving so I can bring "everything and the kitchen sink", can stop when we want, bring familiar snacks, etc.

I am DEFINITELY going back to WDW, but only when it makes me excited to think about, not anxious. So I get where you're coming from, totally...

Terri

 

[firecracker725]

I don't know if this is the right board for this or not, but it seemed like the best out of the bunch.

I have an anxiety disorder, and while it seemed to be getting better after my divorce was final and I was able to move away, it now seems to be getting much worse. The main focus of my post really is: does anyone else here on the Disboards suffer from anxiety? And if so, can you please give me tips that pertain to planning your Disney trip?! It honestly used to be one of my favorite things to do, but all the constant back to back changes happening with Disney recently just killed my enthusiasm. I haven't been here on the boards in quite some time because I didn't want to see anymore changes. And now when I start to think about getting touring plans figured out, looking at park hours, planning dining, fast passes, etc etc etc, I get a knot in my stomach.

I know this is probably a silly post, but I just wondered if anyone out there was in the same boat or has advice. And please no negative posts.

I found myself suffering from anxiety when a number of circumstances ganged up on me. I was dealing with it, but my doctor insisted that I take some help in the form of Xanax. I cannot even tell you how helpful it was. I am not one to turn to medication to help without a fight, but it was truly just what I needed. It was a very low dose, and I just took it as needed.