Are you claustrophobic??

[moinab]

Just chiming in to say that I, too, have serious problems with crowds and lots of people jammed into small spaces. If a bus is going to be crowded, I have to be right by the door, or I can't ride it. We try to avoid big crowds. I also had a panick attack on Kraken (SeaWorld) when the shoulder restraints clamped down on me, but I worked my way through it. Surprisingly, I didn't have a claustrophobic reaction on Mission Space, but I did have motion sickness issues. The CMs are usually very helpful and can help you assess each ride.

 

[crabmeal]

Aisling I bought one of the fans that squirts water too at Epcot and it was very good. I started feeling panicy in he hydrolaters in Living Seas and started my fan and I felt better. Just knowing it was there helped a lot. I also filled the water part with ice and it stayed cold because it was hot when we were there. So I reccomend them sp if you have clauterphobia panic issues.

 

[iluvtink]

I had a friend who suffered from severe claustrophobia, and I believe she took Xanax. We've lost touch now, but at the time, it was really helping her. Seems like she took it when she was going to experience something like an MRI, or ride on an airplane ... and not all the time.

I know there's a lot of different opinions about all of the anti-anxiety drugs and doctors prescribing them for people who didn't really need them. However, if it meant being able to enjoy the Magic more fully, it might be worth it to talk to your doctor about even a temporary prescription. Just a suggestion!

Kim

 

[Aisling]

and I believe she took Xanax.

Kim, this is what my MD has given me in order to get me on the plane. It's a shame I would never be able to fly without some kind of anti-anxiety help.

bought one of the fans that squirts water too at Epcot and it was very good.

Crabmeal, a great idea, those water fans! I think this would help me more than just the regular air fan.

I just need to know I have some back-up help in case I need it. I love WDW so much, I spend the whole year planning for my wonderful vacation that makes me so happy, and I can't let the anxiety/claustrophobia issues spoil it for me!

 

[GIOny]

thanks aisling, your right AE must be alien encounter, never thought of it because I never went on it. I just buy the regular small fan (not the one that spins with colors), its just blue with a Mickey on it, but I also like the idea of the one with the water spray, it may be a little more to carry around, but it is probally worth it. Thanks for the great advice

 

[cottontail]

Hi: I can't tolerate being in a small space with lots of people like the HM room before the ride. But all I do is ask one of the CM's outside haunted mansion if I can bypass the room as I have claustrophobia, and they take me another way and put me on the ride part of the haunted mansion.

Also in the living seas my family go in the elevator (hydrolator) and I ask a CM if they can escort me out another way and they always do. My hubby gets a little annoyed sometimes with me, but if I am in a situation that starts to bother me, it also brings on a migraine that will end the day. I will probably not try the mission ride. I seem to tolerate more rides at wdw when it is cooler than hot, hot. don't know if that should make a difference.

Deb.

 

[Aisling]

I seem to tolerate more rides at wdw when it is cooler than hot, hot. don't know if that should make a difference.

This describes me, too.
I'm happy to hear that others understand how I feel about these things. And I'm grateful that we can share strategies for helping each other enjoy our WDW experience even better!

 

[GIOny]

Originally posted by cottontail
Hi: I can't tolerate being in a small space with lots of people like the HM room before the ride. But all I do is ask one of the CM's outside haunted mansion if I can bypass the room as I have claustrophobia, and they take me another way and put me on the ride part of the haunted mansion.

I seem to tolerate more rides at wdw when it is cooler than hot, hot. don't know if that should make a difference.

De
b.

Thanks for tip cottontail, thats great to know that you can bypass that room in the HM, I guess you can just meet up with your family after that to go on the actual ride. Also, I think its alot easier to tolerate the parks in cooler weather but if your stuck there in the warmer weather the fans really do come in handy.