If you get panic attacks, you should stay away from:

[bumbershoot]

Getting stuck in a ride isn't as bad because, you can walk out of it but with the monorail you are stuck UNTIL they let you out.

Have you been involved in a ride stop? You have to wait for them to let you go. You cannot just jump out. I don't want to make you more scared, but I don't want you to be surprised, either.

TSMM at DHS we had to wait and wait to be walked out. The other ride stops I've been involved in have been at Disneyland; on Monsters Inc and Roger Rabbit. RR we were the second car to the door that opens to the exit area, and that meant we were the second to LAST to be let out.

None of those were in a monorail for 3 hours with no ac. But they weren't just walks in the park, either. With RR there was a VERY unhappy little child behind us and rotten father who was spanking her because she was scared, and it was utterly atrociously miserable for everyone around.

 

[IrishNYC]

None of those were in a monorail for 3 hours with no ac. But they weren't just walks in the park, either. With RR there was a VERY unhappy little child behind us and rotten father who was spanking her because she was scared, and it was utterly atrociously miserable for everyone around.

I would be dialing 911. There would be no way I'd sit there and let it happen. How awful.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would be dialing 911. There would be no way I'd sit there and let it happen. How awful.

While it is awful it is nothing to call 911 over. People shouldn't think it is ok to call 911 when they are upset or offended. 911 is for life threatening situations. True emergencies. A man spanking his child for being scared may be a bunch of names I can't put here, but calling 911 is not the answer.

 

[NuJoy]

rotten father who was spanking her because she was scared

Sounds like my childhood. And now I'm responding on a discussion thread about anxiety.

 

[IrishNYC]

While it is awful it is nothing to call 911 over. People shouldn't think it is ok to call 911 when they are upset or offended. 911 is for life threatening situations. True emergencies. A man spanking his child for being scared may be a bunch of names I can't put here, but calling 911 is not the answer.

I would usually agree. But the way the posted described it as utterly atrocious made me think it was more than just your average spanking.

 

[mousefan73]

No nothing about panic attacks, but I can see that room before Haunted Mansion freaking people out.. you stand in a crowded,circle room, doors, close ( you dont know where the door was or can see the next one out), then the ceiling stretches........

 

[Amunet]

I have severe anxiety disorder. If you have medication, make sure you are on top of that and don't miss doses on vacation.

When I last went to Epcot, I was a bit sick, so we rented an ECV to help me get around while still resting. During that time, I found having the ecv helped to create a little bubble and it greatly helped with my anxiety

 

[nicolebridget22]

The closest I've ever come to a panic attack was on Mission Space. That's when I discovered I have claustrophobia. I was able to ride it without flipping out but it was only with closing my eyes, counting, and reminding myself to breathe. I can't ride it again, it's to small, too tight.

 

[hammie59]

I agree about Mission Space. I don't have panic attacks, but I feel really claustrophobic on that ride. Plus I think the bazillion warnings that they give you make it worse. I remember the first time I went to ride it, I was kind of excited. By the time I got to my seat and locked in I was boarder line terrified from all the build up!

 

[ArwenMarie]

OMG, I can't believe I am not the only one who feels this way about this ride. I even have posted previously about this ride. I always wonder if there is a sprinkler system in there and do feel like it's a bit of a fire trap. Hopefully, it's sprinklered. My husband is a firefighter and he said not to worry. It feels so hot and closed in when you get to the top of the ride. I am always so happy when the ride is taking you back down. My kids love this ride or I wouldn't go in it. Does anyone know how far it goes up? Does it go all the way up to the top of the globe?

The max height you go up is about 60% of the height of the globe (the diameter)

I feel the same way about its potential as a firetrap

 

[calliest]

XANAX!

I dont miss a thing.

Yup. With my coffee before we head out.

 

[Lothlórien]

Going with the theme here, I'd like to know about this. How do you control anxiety at the parks?

It depends on what causes the anxiety. For some it is small/tight areas, others it is crowds, for some it is loud noises, some it is being strapped in, etc.

I think the best thing you can do for yourself if you are prone to attacks is to know what to expect for attractions. There are a lot of YouTube videos where you can get a great idea of what to expect and the hundreds of Disney websites that give details about attractions are a great help as well.

 

[SRUAlmn]

No nothing about panic attacks, but I can see that room before Haunted Mansion freaking people out.. you stand in a crowded,circle room, doors, close ( you dont know where the door was or can see the next one out), then the ceiling stretches........

It is the main reason I didn't ride for our first 6 trips to WDW. Then, we took the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and this was one of the rides I got a little panicky and the sweet CM said she could change the tour for me, but I would've felt SO stupid so I just had my husband stand behind me and put his arms around me and I closed my eyes and I was fine. Up until our last trip, my advice would've been to do this and stay by a wall, but on our last trip the wall we happened to stand by ended up being the one that opened to the ride area and we were basically trampled! I will NEVER understand why people run out of that room!?!?

 

[Aeweddle]

I always have trouble with that area between Pinocchio and small world, and most of AK.

 

[cornflkgrl]

I don't know how you could pick certain things that would likely cause panic attacks for most when panic disorder and gad is so individualized.

Fwiw, I had a panic attack at the Poly after eating breakfast with Lilo and Stitch but I'm not going to suggest people stay away from the Poly.

Triggers are different for different people and for me, at times, completely random and even I couldn't tell you what triggered it. A popping balloon or fireworks could send some into panic.

Claustrophobic people might want to avoid certain attractions (the stretching room the monorail/etc)
I won't get back on the monorail due to the unpredictability of breakdowns.

 

[knkmom]

I've only had 2 panic attacks in my life, the very first one I ended up passing out on the side of the freeway in front of my husband and kids....wasn't fun for any of us! I've not had one in several years now (thankfully) but I am very careful to avoid anything that might trigger one. At the parks I'm ok with all the rides except Mission Space. The only other issue that might trigger an attack for me would be if we are in a large crowd of people and we are all just standing, not moving. I don't like feeling like I am trapped so as long as I can keep moving I am fine.

 

[ggdvc]

I get pretty intense panic attacks at times. I've been fine with rides, but if I get in a big crowd I have a hard time holding it together. Last year we were trying to get out of the parks right before spectro started and we could not move an inch and I was starting to get the dreaded panic feeling, but my husband managed to talk me down. So my advice stay away from large crowds.

Same here. If I am at a park until closing, I either sit an "people watch" until the big crush has passed, or try to get to one of the far edges so I feel like there's more breathing room on at least one side of me.

 

[ArwenMarie]

XANAX!

I dont miss a thing.

Yup. With my coffee before we head out.

Same here but Klonopin.
Better living through chemistry

 

[BayouQueen]

I stay away from any and all caffeine. It's amazing how that has healed my rather disordered nervous system. Truly a night and day difference.