claustrophobia and getting through lines

[tsme]

I have bad anxiety. Crowds or feeling unable to get away really makes it worse. So what I do is I read anything on my phone that will take my attention away. Also I try to keep some distance between me & the person in front of me, I really do not like being touched by strangers, and my DH stands behind me. It helps. I've also had to take a "time out" and remove myself until I calm down. I know it's difficult but she'll get thru it.

 

[itchin2go]

Huh... I actually have the opposite issues. Nearly had a panic attack while on RnRC due to the over head restraints. It was bad especially since I did not have a "safe" person with me (my mom wouldn't ride and I was seated by a stranger).

I know what you mean. The queues don't bother me much, but it's on the rides themselves that I feel truly trapped.

One thing I've learned is to not be afraid of letting others know what's going on. Once I mention it to my dentist, or hairdresser (I never feel more trapped than half way through getting my hair colored! ), I feel immediately better. I think part of my fear comes from worry about what others will think. I've realized that others don't give it too much thought at all. Either they've had some similar issues, or they know someone who has.

The point is, chances are the people in line with you will understand. It is incredibly freeing to let the "secret" come out. The truth is, if you really wanted to get out of line, you could. Knowing that helps me a lot.

 

[Disneylover99]

I know what you mean. The queues don't bother me much, but it's on the rides themselves that I feel truly trapped.

It's the bar restraints for me and shoulder harnesses that I have trouble with. I'm okay with seatbelts because I figure logically they could use scissors to cut me out. I just keep worrying that the mechanism for the bars will somehow lock permanently and I'll be trapped forever.....silly I know......but a huge fear nonetheless.

 

[Brook1099]

Xanax and I are friends on vacation that includes rides with a tight que space, over crowded areas and the thoughts of a ride break down sometimes extremely highten my anxiety. We once were in the line for Buzz Lightyear and it stopped for a while well Guess who Exited.. ME!
I love the idea of a fan.. because when its warm out and those lines.. ugg! I was on BTTM and it was quite warm I barely made it on the ride.. I almost fled but I kept looking down at the ground or my phone not all the people around me. I do like carrying a keychain flashlight. I have used it in some areas.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

Dont go thur the line for the Little Mermaid....

I do not have the problem discussed but walking thur some of the area i thought it very tight and restrictive...i was not comfortable with it....

just my 2 cents..

 

[alicat8]

Dont go thur the line for the Little Mermaid....

I do not have the problem discussed but walking thur some of the area i thought it very tight and restrictive...i was not comfortable with it....

just my 2 cents..

Good to know, thanks. The rides themselves don't bother, for whatever reason, even getting stuck. She's been on them all and never has an issue (except the new FL stuff since it's been a few years).

 

[disneyluvrsX5]

I don't know how severe her claustrophobia is, but I am claustrophobic, more about getting stuck on the ride, (the story about being stuck on Indiana Jones makes me feel for you, cattywampus- HUGE fear of mine). But the queues did not bother me at all on Splash, Space or Big Thunder Mountain. Like other posters have said, having a misting fan would be very helpful. My worst moments are when I am really hot and the air is not moving. It makes it worse. So if she does get panicky, keep her cool, try to talk to her to calm her down.

Oddly enough, I love Disney so much but I do have moments of panic and my worst was a night that I was probably overly tired, had my two kids with me 11 and 13 and we were on Under the Sea ride! I can't believe it, but I had to talk myself out of a panic attack. The main reason was that it was extremely hot that night and I was exhausted and all three of us squeezed in to one vehicle. As soon as I got going, I knew I was going to feel panicky. Something about the lap bar and the way it hit me bothered me. I kept thinking what if we get stuck here and I can't get out? It was bad, not enjoyable at all. I have to tell myself that the ride is only six minutes or whatever the length. That helps too. I don't know if she does that on the rides, but I do and just wanted to explain some of the triggers.

 

[Disneylover99]

Oddly enough, I love Disney so much but I do have moments of panic and my worst was a night that I was probably overly tired, had my two kids with me 11 and 13 and we were on Under the Sea ride! I can't believe it, but I had to talk myself out of a panic attack. The main reason was that it was extremely hot that night and I was exhausted and all three of us squeezed in to one vehicle. As soon as I got going, I knew I was going to feel panicky. Something about the lap bar and the way it hit me bothered me. I kept thinking what if we get stuck here and I can't get out? It was bad, not enjoyable at all. I have to tell myself that the ride is only six minutes or whatever the length. That helps too. I don't know if she does that on the rides, but I do and just wanted to explain some of the triggers.

I did have a panic attack on the Under The Sea ride.......I was with my six year old daughter and I'm okay as long as I can't feel the bar on my lap. She knows how I am so she always allows me to adjust the bar. But as the ride started up, she leaned on the bar, applying her weight and the bar locked into place tightly on my legs. I kept quiet because I didn't want to upset my daughter, but I was hyperventilating and shaking by the time that lap bar was released.

Alicat....another thing I thought of.....if your mom does choose to go into a queue, or you do happen to get in a tight squeeze with her, be casual about it. If she seems fine, don't ask her how she is until you're off the ride and out of any queue area. Sometimes, concerned family ask me if I'm doing okay when we get strapped in and this is like a trigger that sets me off into panic mode.

 

[lovethattink]

I had my one and only panic attack at TT during pulling the yellow tag for belt check. The cm did not want to let me out of the car. But eventually did. I haven't been able to ride most lap bar restraints since. Over shoulder harness have been our of the question for years.

The mine train queue near the ride loading has a low ceiling and people are packed in the queue. I had to hold my back pack in my feet since the seats and floor space are pretty compact.

But my worse experience on an attraction was at Sea World's new penguin ride. Low ceiling and a room you get locked in to enter or exit penguins if you aren't riding. It's to protect the birds so they can't get out. But for a few minutes we couldn't get or either. I kept my cool, but my heart was racing.

 

[alicat8]

OK, well it's sounding like new FL won't be one of mom's things. Thanks for all of the tips so far. Lots of things to try out and watch out for!

 

[Snoozan]

I really recommend she speak to her doctor about taking something for the anxiety. I take Ativan when I know I'm putting myself into a situation where I've had a panic attack before(in crowds, etc.). It's enough to take the edge off and just knowing I have something to take is usually enough to keep me calm. I don't find it makes me loopy or sleepy when I take it during the day. It really has changed my life and I am now even planning on doing a tandem skydive, just to prove to myself I can do anything!

 

[LilyWDW]

I really recommend she speak to her doctor about taking something for the anxiety. I take Ativan when I know I'm putting myself into a situation where I've had a panic attack before(in crowds, etc.). It's enough to take the edge off and just knowing I have something to take is usually enough to keep me calm. I don't find it makes me loopy or sleepy when I take it during the day. It really has changed my life and I am now even planning on doing a tandem skydive, just to prove to myself I can do anything!

If she does this, I suggest her taking the medication before the trip to see how it will effect her. I know my anxiety meds (especially when I was taking Ativan for a bit) will knock me out at first. Like, can't move out of bed or keep my eyes open after taking it. No way would I be able to tour Disney with how I feel at those points!

Now, lower doses can help keep that from happening, but it can take a few tries to find the right dose.