Are you claustrophobic??

[GIOny]

I am claustrophobic, and it seems to get a little worse from year to year. It effects what I do in the parks as far as going on certain rides and attractions. Sometimes it's not even the ride itself but it may be the small room they send you in before the ride to preview a movie or instructions for the ride or something. Does anyone know if there is a way to bypass this phase of an attraction and does anyone else have this problem?? If so, what rides do you avoid? Also does anyone know of any cures for such a thing??

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am claustrophobic. I do think those rides that strap you down with shoulder restraints sometimes do me in.

This past visit I had to close my eyes on the Dinosaur ride because I was feeling a little weird. Too much going on.. dark, strapped in, just did not set well with me... I have done the ride before and never had a problem.

I did do Mission Space this last visit. They do warn about being claustrophobic and trying this ride.. I have to say here the CM's were wonderful to me.. When they closed the door, they told me they were right outside and if I felt panicked at all, just knock on the door and they would let me out.. I made it through without any problems.. It is a very small area they have you sitting in.

 

[keriannhoward]

I'm VERY claustrophobic ( I had to be completely unconscious for an MRI) and I avoid Mission Space but that's about it. I seem to do alright with rides that have a harness like Rock n Roller Coaster because I can control how far down I pull it. I can't handle rides that "smash" me into the seat because then I feel like I can't breathe. DH and DS went on Mission Space 2 weeks ago and said that no way could I have done it, I would've had a huge panic attack.

I tend to skip more at Universal and IOA than at WDW due to my claustrophobia.

 

[Aisling]

M:S is the ride I'm worried about, which is a shame because I'd love to try it. The restraints don't bother me too much, at least not as much as the small enclosed space of the capsule. I keep thinking what if the ride breaks down and we're stuck in their for an hour? I'd lose my mind! At this point I'm telling myself I'm riding it anyway, but I just have to wait until I see it. I don't think so, though.



I've read that M:S has air blowing in your face, which may help me. When I fly, I MUST have the air blowing on my face or else I feel like I can't breathe and that panic feeling starts to build up.

Anyway, I'm hoping someone keeps this thread bumped up so that maybe someone will have a relaxation technique to share!

 

[keriannhoward]

Aisling,

this is OT, but I really love your name! It was one we considered when I was pregnant, do you pronounce it "Ashleen"?

 

[FunkyRooster]

I'm really claustrophobic also and have a real problem with certain rides too. When I ride the RnRoller, I try not to think too much about the harness by looking at all the things around on the set. I notice things that I normally wouldn't see and keeps my mind off of the constraint. I also can't do the Living Seas in Epcot. The elevator part and then being surrounded by that water makes me very uneasy. That one I just avoid all together

 

[happycat]

Good topic. I'm going to Epcot in May for the first time in years and I've have been debating about the MS ride. One day I have myself talked into then the next it's NO WAY! I guess I'll find out when I get there.

As far as waiting in small spaces or being trapped (every clausie's fear) I always have something with me to read. I know it sounds silly but it has gotten me through many times when there was a delay of some sort and I started to feel panic.

Another thing I do is tune into the conversations of those around. Join in if you have to. The point is to do whatever it takes to keep from "going there" Meaning starting to really think about where you are.

Most importantly, Breath. Nice big breaths. It has a calming effect.:

 

[GIOny]

thanks for all your comments and suggestions, it's nice to know I'm not alone. One thing I have found that also helps, is one of those little portable fans you wear around your neck. I have bought several right in the parks. Having cool air on me seems to help. Well to all of you just think wide open spaces and thanks again.

 

[Aisling]

this is OT, but I really love your name! It was one we considered when I was pregnant, do you pronounce it "Ashleen"?

keriann, yes, my name is pronounced Ashleen, but I think you're the only one in the world outside of Ireland who knows how to pronounce it! LOL

And about the little fans, I think I'm going to get myself one. Have you seen pictures of the M:S capsule? It's so small!!

 

[HeadintoWDW]

This is a very interesting thread! It's nice (?) to know that other people have some of the same fears I do. My DH thinks I'm crazy, but the times when I have the most trouble are when I'm sitting in the middle of a long row (such as at a movie theater or at the 3-D Muppet movie). I just feel totally trapped and as if I couldn't get out should there be an emergency. I am also bothered by claustrophobia, but not to the lengths that some others are.

All of you riding M:S, let us know about your experience!

 

[siouxi31]

I'm claustrophobic. However, I tend to forget that I am. I've had problems with MRI's, open MRI's and a huge issue with Mission Space. I rode it, but was panicky the whole time. I would have screamed if my kids weren't sitting next to me. I didn't want to scare them. This ride made me think that I was either going to vomit, have a heart attack, or pass out for the first time in my life--all from the claustrophobia. BUT...once the ride tilted back, all of those bad feelings went away. It was probably about a minute that I had a severe episode. No problems on any other rides and I do ride them all (well, except the teacups, spinning makes me rork).

 

[GIOny]

I will be avoiding mission space for sure, just the pictures get me jittery, and I'm with you WDW, I also don't like sitting in the middle of a row. I always try to get an aisle seat. Someone once told me about one of the b-vitamins helping this but I have never seen anything written about it or have any proof. Maybe a couple drinks before I get on certain rides would do the trick!LOL

 

[BadgerBruce]

I also have this problem. I carry the little fan with me everywhere & it helps a lot. Having a water bottle available also seems to help. At times I even have problems on the bus if I'm seated & other guests are crammed in the aisles--so I always stand if it looks like the bus is going to fill up. This is starting to sound a little neurotic, eh? Anyway, the fan & sips of water have worked for me.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I'm claustrophobic, hence the reason why I REFUSE to do M:S. End of story.

 

[nativetxn]

I'm claustrophobic in a different kind of way. Large crowds of people make me hyperventilate.

So, I avoid the parks at peak times. I could never be in Times Square on NYE, just watching them on television makes me feel uncomfortable. I've seen telecasts of concerts where the people were so jammed together people fainted and never hit the ground. I couldn't be in a group like that

I can't tolerate being packed in with crowds of people. Small spaces don't bother me, though.

 

[vacationwoman]

Can't stand small confined spaces or mobs of people jammed together.

Avoid AE and now HM (sm room in beginning does me in)
It seems to get worse as I get older. Guess I'll have to stop aging.

Got stuck once in SE and almost had a panic attack.
Try to think of something else when ride stops like that.

Deep breathing and squeezing DH's hand till it breaks helps too.

 

[disneydragon]

I'm not claustrophobic, but my mum suffers with it. Places like the little room at the beginning of Haunted Mansion and tightly packed crowds are enough to do her in. She's on the short side and in situations like that, all she can see are shoulders and backs and arms, etc. Not fun!

 

[jaross]

I'm worried about M:S as well. I think I'm not going to do it. But, I'll send my 12 year old ds and dh to test the waters. My 8 year old says no way.

I could really relate to the posts about the crowds. I can't go down main street at the end of the day. I have to wait until it really clears out. I've pulled my family into stores along main street because I'm starting to hyperventilate.

Part of the reason is that I'm short. So, when I'm crammed in a crowd I can't see out. It's just all arms and shoulders.

I get especially panicky when my kids are with me. I'm afraid that they'll fall and get trampled and I won't be able to get to them. (okay, so this part makes me sound a little crazy..... but)

I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone.

Chris

 

[GIOny]

no, I don't think any of us are crazy, it's just the way we feel and there's not much we can do about it. In vacationwoman's post she said she didn't like the small room in hm, o.k. I know that is haunted mansion, but what is AE??:

 

[Aisling]

but what is AE??:

I think this would be Alien Encounter. It can be uncomfortable for those who are claustrophobia because the shoulder harness comes down and locks you in your seat in pitch darkness.
But I think AE has been closed to make a new Lilo and Stitch attraction.

I have a question about the little personal fans they sell at WDW. Do they really blow a good force of air? I'm really counting on having that air blowing in my face if I need it, and I'm worried that it'll be a big let down if I can hardly feel it at all. Do they blow strongly to really feel it, or is it like a breeze? I hope someone knows this answer!!