hints for a severe social anxiety disorder in Disney

[KPeveler]

ok, more questions!

I was diagnosed almost 10 years ago with a social anxiety disorder, and my latest medical relapse has triggered a SAD relapse... And I am getting married in 14 days! This is the worst timing ever!

Does anyone have any tips for touring disney with SAD? Does anyone have any good ideas about communicating my need to CMs? I will have my wheelchair, which sometimes help provide a buffer, but if there are ways to wait in a different area when lines are mobs (like Soarin), that would be a HUGE help... Also, if people have hints on ways not to get squished in shows/parades, that would be awesome too!

Basically I am looking for tips so I can still have my honeymoon and avoid panic attacks! Thanks all!

 

[podsnel]

Could you ask them for a GAP card at Guest Relations? My son gets one for autism, basically because of his anxiety- WDW would not be possible for our family without that card!

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!!

 

[KPeveler]

I am going to talk to guest relations about a GAC anyway, since one of my meds gives me a sun allergy, and I want to avoid waiting in sun whenever possible (even though I know it almost never happens)... I will talk to them about other things too...

I know that a GAC does not help with the everything else, though, so I am definitely open to suggestions and ideas!

 

[Schmeck]

Could you write yourself some social stories to help you think through the anxiety process before it occurs? That's one trick my therapist helped me with to overcome my anxiety attacks - talking it through (yes I talk out loud to myself at times) or writing it all out can help you process the emotions before they occur.

For example, you are waiting for Philharmagic to start - everyone is in one large holding room, and although guests using wheelchairs are held together on one edge, people are asked to get as close together and as far forward as possible. (Same as VOTLM) What about this situation will make you anxious? I know it's hard to pinpoint sometimes, but is it the sounds, the smells, the view? Now, the next step is to come up with a strategy - would having your groom turn you to face the wall help? Would wearing sound reducing headphones help? Think through these steps, try practicing them at home, or in a controlled situation.

How about medication? Lorazepam is my friend

Have a wonderful wedding, and a beautiful honeymoon!

 

[bookwormde]

As I am sure you know anxiety is cumulative from all sources so take inventory and make plans to keep all sources minimized. Honeymoon, WDW, remember what is important and use reasonable precautions not to get in situations that are overwhelming, if you need a GAC get it and use it, and remember you have someone special to support you.

Have a great time.

bookwormde

 

[clanmcculloch]

While we do get a GAC for alternate entrances because DD11 has meltdowns if she's crammed close to a lot of people for any extended period of time, the GAC is only one tool. A good touring plan can make a HUGE difference. I've always gone at low seasons in the past so we've never had to deal with long waits or big crowds (we do walk past places that have huge crowds or long waits without a separate waiting area even with the GAC). This year we're going over Christmas so I subscribed to TourGuide Mike (TGM). This type of touring plan can make a HUGE difference. It can make a difference of fastpass lines of 10 minutes vs regular lines of 1.5 - 2 hours at busy times. Being in close quarters for 10 minutes with a break somewhere quiet in between might make your days much more managable. Knowing that after Soarin' you can go upstairs to the Lion King movie for a quiet place after might help. It seems more tollerable to me to stand in that fastpass line crowded by other people if I know that after I'll be able to quickly move to a known quiet location nearby to decompress. Touring plans can help you build this type of detailed daily itinerary.

Do you have any kind of sunshade for your wheelchair? If not, how about a huge floppy sun hat? Things like these can help block your view of the surrounding crowds. Part of the reason that strollers help kids with these kinds of issues is that the child can nestle back into the stroller with their view of the surrounding crowds being at least partly blocked.

The other posters have given you some great tips!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Please see your doctor. The best thing that I did was mention to my doctor about my nerves being bad before I got married and I was given anxiety meds. They help a lot.
Remember relax and enjoy what is about to happen. Take some lavender with you. I have a little packet with me that I sit and smell when I get nervous and it helps.
Take long deep breathes.

 

[cclovesdis]

I can relate. I have an anxiety disorder and I take a med that comes with a sun warning. The best thing for me was to take a break in the afternoon. We went in August so it was good to get out of the heat too. We eat almost exclusively at CS places, but we make it a point to relax while we are there. We even took our time eating a snack. You didn't mention where you are staying, but it really didn't take us very long to go from any park to All-Star Music. It was really worth the time to take an hour long break. Also, if you are staying on-property, make use of morning EMHs. We got so much done during that one hour with lines no longer than five minutes. Much less chaotic. Not sure if you are on the dining plan, but a good thing for us was to pack the cereal that comes in the large portion cups (Target sells them for like 97 cents) and spoons. Then, my sister went to the food court and bought two things of milk and some fruit. I was able to avoid the chaos of the food court and eat food that I can eat. (I have dietary restrictions as well.) I think all in all, it was the little things that added up to a really great experience at WDW even in the heat of the summer crowds. Best of luck!

 

[KPeveler]

Thanks all - We have figured out that my neuro problem is causing me to be super-sensory, so when people bump into me, it REALLY hurts, and loud noises, etc can be overwhelming and painful... this is what is causing the sudden relapse in the SAD. We are upping the lyrica, got me some new pain meds (since i am not driving in disney, i am pretty safe taking them whenever), and I am using a powerchair to provide a buffer (I need one anyway, but this is a bonus!)

I am going to talk to guest services about a GAC for any alternate waiting areas... i dont need them every time, but if they are available, i can use them as a kind of break while waiting for a ride.

this is my honeymoon and i am at Coronado Springs, so a quiet resort generally. I plan on taking breaks, but we will NOT be to the parks very early - it takes me a while to get going in the morning. I guess my biggest concern is queues like Soarin and Test Track, where there are lots of loud noises and people crowding in. I will try to use Fastpasses, but if there are no more fastpasses, I dunno what I will do.

This is my 12th trip to disney, so if i dont do everything it is not the end of the world... I will just do the best i can! Thanks

 

[pudge the fish]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

one big hint
is to talk to CM's at each area-
There are days I can not sit in the middle of a crowded theater
I have asked CM's can I kinda hold back so I can sit at an end of a row due to possible panic attacks-
I have never had a CM be rude or snarky and they really, really try to be helpful. sometimes it isn't possible but I have almost always had CM's help me in these situations

Have fun! ask if in doubt of anything.
My DD 11 ( the future CEO of Disney) will ask CM's about something if she isn't sure. No question seems to be impossible to answer and if you don't get the answer you need, we have asked to find someone who can answer the question.
as in "I really need someone to help me here, can you find someone to answer that question for me"

 

[SueM in MN]

With a wheelchair, you will usually be using the alternate waiting areas anyway - here's a picture of the one at the Circle of Life movie in the Land.

Most of the alternate areas are for shows and are a roped off area of the regular line so that the CM can seat the people with wheelchairs, ECVs, or other special needs before the other guests are left into the theater.
Little Mermaid is a show with a bad waiting area and no way to really avoid it - like most shows, you can't enter thru the exit because you will be trampled by guests who are leaving after their show. The entrance/preshow area of Little Mermaid is one big room where they keep packing people in to wait for the next show. People using wheelchairs stay toward the wall on the left side of the room - my suggestion is to stay as close to the wall as possible and have other members of your party be a buffer for you. You could also ask the CM if you can wait outside in the wheelchair holding area until the group starts going in - that may work.

A backpack makes a good buffer on the back of your wheelchair so people can't get too close and you are usually going to be in control of how close you get in front.

I second (or third) the recommendation to get to the parks as early as possible. I can't get there that early with DD because it takes too long to get her going in the morning. But, my DH and other members of our party have found short waits even during busy times like Spring break. You should be able to get on a lot of attractions with very short waits. We have also found people seem to be more patient when the waits are short.

Also, for parades, you will be able to use the handicapped viewing areas. Some are very busy and they basically park a row of wheelchairs across the front of the viewing areas. To avoid the busiest viewing areas, head for ones that are further into the park (like not the castle in MK and not the entrance to WS for Illuminations).

if you need a quiet place to decompress for a while, keep First Aid in mind. They have quiet private rooms where you can lie down for a while if you need to and, even if you just sit in the First Aid waiting room for a while, it is quiet and peaceful.
Also, keep in mind that leaving and going to a resort for a while can make a good break. At Epcot or the Studio, any of the Epcot area resorts are a good, easy break. MK is a kind of overwhelming park for many people because it has so much going on and is kind of 'tight'. The easiest resort to get to from MK is the Contemporary - it is walking distance, if you don't see the path right aways, follow the path to the buses and then just follow the monorail rail above your head right to the resort.

 

[Lachesis00]

Oh very nice Sue. I wish stuff like this was done up for DL. I have an 18yo w/bipolar (seems to be under control except the anxiety which is bad anywhere, there are many days he doesn't leave home, but he is getting better, going out w/friends to non-crowded places). And then I am the one in an ECV. Makes for fun times in our family.

 

[SueM in MN]

Oh very nice Sue. I wish stuff like this was done up for DL. I have an 18yo w/bipolar (seems to be under control except the anxiety which is bad anywhere, there are many days he doesn't leave home, but he is getting better, going out w/friends to non-crowded places). And then I am the one in an ECV. Makes for fun times in our family.

I just need to get some funding sources for some scouting trips to DL

AND, lots of time, since I have not even had time to complete the ones for WDW.

 

[Lachesis00]

I was sitting here thinking how long I've been on these boards... over 9 years. I am pretty sure J was 8 when we took him to DL and I spent a lot of time for myself and him on these boards

 

[kaytieeldr]

There's no alternate waiting area at Soarin' - what about you pulling up only as far behind the next party as you're comfortable, and your fiancee standing behind you as the buffer?

Test Track uses a couple of different alternate-entry scenarios - depending, possibly, on how crowded the park is. I'd think the same thing as above, you leave a comfortable distance between you and the party in front, and your spouse stands behind you as the buffer.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I also have anxiety issues and came here for advice. I am on medication but the doctor said it takes time. im alot better then i was.

 

[Schmeck]

and loud noises, etc can be overwhelming and painful... this is what is causing the sudden relapse in the SAD.

I guess my biggest concern is queues like Soarin and Test Track, where there are lots of loud noises and people crowding in. I will try to use Fastpasses, but if there are no more fastpasses, I dunno what I will do.

This is my 12th trip to disney, so if i dont do everything it is not the end of the world... I will just do the best i can! Thanks

I think your best bet would be to wear noise reducing headphones - WDW is noisy just about everywhere, not just in the queues. Test Track is deafening to me, inside and out, in the queue and on the actual ride. Alternate wait areas might not be any quieter or less crowded, but with headphones, you always have your quiet zone.