Crowd anxiety tips general

[Jmljasmine]

This is a broader question then just Disney but includes Disney. I'm realizing I have a much bigger crowd anxiety then I realized in the past. It's becoming more a problem at Disney and everywhere. True, I do live in a more populated area then I use to, although it's seeming like everywhere is becoming more crowded. Anyway, I've never learned how to properly manage the anxiety and I suspect hiding from it would probably make it worse in the long run. I figured some of you may have this issue yourself or family who does and give me some things to try.

 

[mamabunny]

Here are some threads from this forum that may have tips and tricks and solutions that might help.

DAS related to Anxiety

DAS and Anxiety Question

How to not let anxiety ruin a trip

 

[DisneyOma]

See your primary care physician, and ask for a referral to a specialist. There's all kinds of behavioral therapy you can try I can do some deep breathing exercises sometimes that helps, but I also take medication for my anxiety.

 

[ttintagel]

Yes; I was a little scared at first of taking medication for anxiety, but it has been a real change for the better.

 

[JLTraveling]

I have what I would call moderate crowd anxiety. I don't totally freak out or go into full fight or flight mode, but I do find myself getting more and more tense as crowds get thicker. Some things that I do in the parks or at crowded events in general include:

1. Find an escape route. Especially at the parks, there's always SOMEWHERE that's less crowded. A little-known pathway, a less popular shop, a former smoking area...as soon as crowds start getting beyond moderate, I start scanning the area to find both a place to go and a route to get there. I rarely need it, but it's comforting to know I can.

2. Plan breaks. I try to plan my schedule in such a way that at least once in the morning and once in the evening, there's time to relax out of the crowd. This can be a visit to a less popular attraction or sitting down with ice cream in one of those less populated areas. Even 10-15 minutes helps me reset.

3. This is a huge one for me, and it works absolutely everywhere I've been. Find an anchor. If you're going to be standing still in a crowded area for a long time, like for fireworks, pick a spot where you can lean against something. A fence, a tree, a lamp post, anything that won't fall over. I've found that just being in physical contact with a solid object helps keep me grounded, with the side effect that you at least know you won't get jostled from that direction.

I hope this helps a little! Crowd anxiety can be the worst!

 

[cobright]

Specific to vacationing… give yourself permission to treat vacation days differently than normal days. I mean, like normal days I try to manage anxiety directly, do the breathing, the meditation, all that. And on normal days it’s usually enough and I don’t need to adjust my other routines (in particular any sort of RX schedule). Doing the work of recovery means pushing yourself to some extent.

Vacation days are just going to be more stressor-dense. You can be on vacation from the work of recovery too to some extent. If there’s a fast acting med that helps, don’t wait so long to take it. Talk to your dr ahead of time about dialing up your daily meds for a time before and after your trip or populating your therapy schedule to support the trip.

A Disney trip can last days, give yourself permission to do less per day.

And if you need direct support, set that up before starting a vacation. A friend or caregiver who is not also on vacation with you. I’ll give you my number if you like.

Lastly… it’s going to be alright. It Disney, it doesn’t need to be perfect to be magical.

You got this.

 

[cobright]

Here’s a tip for crowd lines, like haunted mansion. Approach the cast member between loadings and tell them you have a problem with being jostled during the load and ask if you can hang back and come in at the very end of the load. I’ve never been told no.

 

[maxiesmom]

For lines I always tell myself I got in the line, I can go back out the same way. I've left lines before, and using I'm Sorry excuse me over and over helps.

If you really want to see the fireworks, think about booking the dessert party, or even dinner at the Contemporary. Both will give you a great view and get you out of the mob. At Epcot I like to watch the fireworks where there is a restroom nearby, knowing I can go there and escape a bit if the crowd gets to be too much. By the International Gateway, or by Norway are both good spots for that.