My sister with anxiey disorder

[PrincessPatty]

My sister has been recently diagnosed with GAD, we are talking about taking advantage of the Free Dining, but shes nervous about being in the lines. Would a GAC be available to her, to get her out of the 'crowds' in the lines?

And a second question, there will be at least 10 of us going, we all enjoy riding together, but the info. thread I was reading said it can only be used with around 5 people.

Thanks ahead of time, this is a first time that we would be heading with any sort of disability, and we're not too sure about any of this.

 

[Forevryoung]

Hay,
I had a pretty severe flare up of my anxiety disorder when I was in Disney in January (it was super quiet too). So this is how I managed it with my friends-

I got a GAC. Having it calmed me down. Lines were pretty short and we maximized fast pass. I used the GAC two times in the week long trip (great movie ride and space mountain). I start to panic when I am surrounded by people and I cant get to the exit easily (or see it). I can let you know what rides bothered me more then others if you want.

I usually had my friends stand one in front of me and one behind me in line. That way they acted as a human shield and kept people from getting too close.

I knew where the least crowded spots were for the parades and fireworks. The train station platform on Mainstreet was the greatest place for me to watch Spectromagic. We stayed up there until most of the crowds left. For Illuminations we stood up the stairs by Canada. There were very few people up there with us and we had a great view. We stayed in the stores until the main walkways quieted down a bit after the parks closed. The end of the day was definitely the worst for me.

Maybe a doctor can prescribe her a medication to take "just in case"- I have an antianxiety medication that I take only as needed and I carried it with me. I hate taking meds like that but I would rather be able to have a good time. It may be another idea for her.

If you or your sister want to talk about anxiety (or Disney with GAD)... PM me or Email me or something.

Have a great trip! I wish I could be taking advantage of the Free Dining!

 

[shades]

My sister has been recently diagnosed with GAD, we are talking about taking advantage of the Free Dining, but shes nervous about being in the lines. Would a GAC be available to her, to get her out of the 'crowds' in the lines?

And a second question, there will be at least 10 of us going, we all enjoy riding together, but the info. thread I was reading said it can only be used with around 5 people.

Thanks ahead of time, this is a first time that we would be heading with any sort of disability, and we're not too sure about any of this.

I believe you are correct - maximum of 5 people - GAC "holder" plus 4. As another poster suggested, her doctor may give her some medicine that she can dissolve under her tongue and it works instantly. Using Fast Passes will help your group go together on all rides. There is another thread posted on this forum about managing axiety at Disney World - that would be a good place to start.

 

[Belle1962]

And look for the triggers outside of attractions.

Food lines: I was mere breaths away from a full blown screaming and pushing people out of the way attack in Feb while waiting in line for food (at Rosie's right before Fantasmic--with the other 100,000,000,000,000,000 + people there--I literally grabbed our food and ran--left the drinks--couldn't spend the extra 5 seconds to grab them)

Stores: Many of the stores are so tightly packed with merchandise that the aisles are narrow anyway and then add the press of people!!!! For shopping--I recommend Downtonw Disney-early morning.

Also--the jam up at the pictures after the rides. Lots of crowding going on.

 

[RSoxFan]

I have GAD, panic attacks and social anxiety, but it's gotten a lot better as I get older. I just know that there are some things in Disney I cannot do. As much as I love Wishes, for example, I can't watch them on Main Street. We either watch them from just outside the park gates or from the California Grill. And we watch Illuminations from our balcony at the hotel. I just can't stand the crowds on the way out. I can't feel like I don't have a way out. The lines don't bother me so much in WDW, because they're pretty spacious. At Universal, I thought I was going to die in the line for Popeye's raft ride. It was insane, all twists and turns, narrow hallways, and smelly wet people.

I can't wait in line for food either. My dad always does it. At MVMCP last year, I jumped in a line for free hot chocolate and cookies. It was a madhouse. I got stepped on,pushed, you name it. I had to push my way out of there.

Make sure your sister doesn't feel guilty if she can't do something. I always feel at some point like I'm ruining the trip for someone else. And that just makes the anxiety worse, which makes the guilt worse. It's just a horrible cycle. Good luck, and please PM me if there's anything else you'd like to know.

 

[PrincessPatty]

Thank you all so very much, I let her read your responses, and it seemed to help a little, I totally agree with you RSoxFan, she feels very guilty and always says shes ruining our lives, which is totally untrue and we explain that to her. My mom doesnt ride a whole lot of the rides, so she will always have someone with her, but she feels bad, cause they are some of the rides that she always used to ride. When we went in September '05, she missed some of her favorites and felt bad, since then the anxiety has gotten worse, she now takes a daily Paxil, has Xanax for when she needs it, and is currently in couseling, so atleast she is being pro-active.

ForeverYoung - please list the rides that seemed to 'bother' you more than others, I think that may be a good start to where to keep her away from.

What is the fast acting med. that you put under the tounge, it could be something she could look into for the trip, the Xanax takes a little while to 'kick in'.

Thanks again, you all are great!

 

[Forevryoung]

I made it through all the lines except one time at Space Mountain I had a major panic attack (I had done it earlier in the day without a problem and I went back later in the week to prove to myself I could do it again).

Star Tours, Great Movie Ride, Soarin (but there was an open lane next to us in the fast pass line and I went under the rope and stood there while the rest of my party stood in line... so I wasn't surrounded by people), space mountain, Things like the waiting areas for Muppets and Honey I shrunk the audience were harder cuz people get packed in there...

I have extreme guilt- especially since I was with friends and not family on my past trip. What made it a little easier (on my guilt) was that I TRIED everything. If I got in line and really couldnt keep going, I could always walk back out and meet my friends at the exit. Once I got in line (usually we had fast passes or the waits weren't too bad) I kept my mind off of what could make me anxious by looking for hidden mickeys, talking to my friends and planning where we were going next.

I'll keep thinking

 

[spotdog]

I was totally disabled by an anxiety based mental illness for many years. WDW is my favorite vacation place and I usually travel alone. The crowd when leaving MK at the end of the day is the worst. I try to tell myself " You WILL get out, no one has ever been forced to spend the night on Main Street."

Lines are usually OK for me. I always have something to read. Sometimes I play games in my head like giving a name to each person I can see in the line.
Waiting in a crowd is harder, I try to be near the edge.

Don't be embarrassed about asking for a GAC. It doesn't get you immediate access to the front of the line, but maybe you could wait at the exit until the rest of your party gets to the front of the line.

 

[JenJen]

I have had an anxiety Disorder for about 11 years now...IT was completely under control when I was taking paxil...Paxil was my miracle drug....I lost my job a little over 1 year ago and I lost my insurance so I had to go off paxil and I have noticed that when I am at Disney I get panicky just in certain places and normally it is the same places. Even when I was on paxil the Great movie Ride line freaked me out for some reason.....I normally go with someone that requires a GAC and it helps a lot. I don't mind waiting the length of the line but I just can't be in the line anymore. Another one that sets me off is Indiana Jones ride and Autopia at Disneyland. It is hard for people to understand because it takes over your entire body when it happens. I think that a GAC is acceptable for this condition. My DD also has anxiety and can not be in an enclosed area with lots of people around her. please don't be afraid to go to guest relations and see if they can help you.
(((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))
Jen

 

[steffali]

I have an anxiety disorder as well and I take a daily dose of Lexapro. I have not been to WDW yet while I have been on this so I don't know how I will be there, however I know I could never ride Spaceship Earth at Epcot and I still have problems with elevators and flying. As far as crowds go I really try to when it is not so crowded.

I too would like to know what medicine goes under your tounge for instant help......

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven't already checked it out, look in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board. It has a section all about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards). The GACs are usually given out for up to 5 people plus the person with a disability (so a total of 6).
To request a GAC, she needs to be able to explain her needs to the CM at Guest Relations because the GACs are given based on needs, not diagnosis. Many people with the very same diagnosis might have very different needs; for example, one person with an anxiety disorder may not have a problem with people being near in a regular line, but really have a problem in some of the preshow areas, where you are in a room with a lot of people and don't have the order of lines to keep the people in order.

Fastpass will help a lot, as well as getting to the parks early in the day. You might also want to look into a service like TourGuide Mike (there is a link to his site on the Theme Parks Board near the top). His service can help with planning your day to avoid waiting in line by knowing where the lines are lowest and when.

Even if she doesn't use it, having a GAC will give her a better sense of contol. A lot of people get one, but never actually use it; just having the "insurance" of having it gives enough support for some people that they don't need to use it.

 

[Shagley]

I have had an anxiety Disorder for about 11 years now...IT was completely under control when I was taking paxil...Paxil was my miracle drug....I lost my job a little over 1 year ago and I lost my insurance so I had to go off paxil and I have noticed that when I am at Disney I get panicky just in certain places and normally it is the same places. Even when I was on paxil the Great movie Ride line freaked me out for some reason.....I normally go with someone that requires a GAC and it helps a lot. I don't mind waiting the length of the line but I just can't be in the line anymore. Another one that sets me off is Indiana Jones ride and Autopia at Disneyland. It is hard for people to understand because it takes over your entire body when it happens. I think that a GAC is acceptable for this condition. My DD also has anxiety and can not be in an enclosed area with lots of people around her. please don't be afraid to go to guest relations and see if they can help you.
(((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))
Jen

Jen -
I was on Paxil also when I become unemployed for a while. I asked my Doctor for some sample packs of Paxil, and he gave me a whole bunch (enough to last me through 4 months of unemployement). Luckily I found another job after that time, but my Doctor told me to let him know if I stayed unemployed for a while, and he could sign me up on a program through the drug manufacturer that provided free medicine to people that need it. If you feel that you still need to take paxil, check with your doctor about providing sample packs to you (or signing you up in the program through the manufacturer).

 

[JenJen]

I too would like to know what medicine goes under your tounge for instant help......
I think they are talking about Kalonopin Waffers. They melt on your tongue.
((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))
Jen

 

[JenJen]

Thankyou Shagley for the information...I think you are talking about needymeds.com. I do know about them I just did not realize that paxil helped me so much until I went off it. IT took so long to come off of that I am kind of scared to go back on. I had very bad withdraws and I never want to go through that again so I am waiting to get my Disability so I know I can continue to get it and not have to go off it again.
((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))
Jen

 

[Forevryoung]

Even if she doesn't use it, having a GAC will give her a better sense of contol. A lot of people get one, but never actually use it; just having the "insurance" of having it gives enough support for some people that they don't need to use it.

Tha is exactly what happened with me. I knew I had it, I knew I could get off the line if I needed to, I knew that the CMs and my friends were willing to help me out with whatever I needed. It was reassurance that I could do everything I wanted to with as little stress as possible.

It might be helpful to discuss what your role (or another family members role) should be if your sister has an anxiety attack or needs to leave a line or something. What is helpful to her? What makes it worse? What might her needs be? Planning for one is difficult but it's so much more difficult to express what you want from others when your brain isn't processing much more then the overwhelming anxiety. Can she express her needs when shes having an anxiety attack? Like can she say "I'm ok but I'll meet you at the exit". My first reaction to anxiety is to run away and hide. Some times people cant find me . Make sure she has her own cell phone with her at all times. It will make meeting up after an attraction a lot easier.

 

[XantheFan]

I have GAD and my trip to Disney last December was what led me to my doctor to start medication. I knew that I didn't want to stop my children from having a dream vacation because of my anxiety. I usually have attacks in crowds and dark places, or places where there just is not an easy escape. My doctor put me on a low dose of Prozac and my trip was amazing. I had only one attack in a very crowded store. My doctor also gave me another pill (Alprazolam) for emergencies, to calm me down if I did have an attack. I know it sounds kind of wierd, but just knowing I had that with me in case I had an attack was the most comforting thing. I didn't have to take one. As my doctor said, most of the time, the worst thing is usually the fear of having an attack. Having a plan for when you have one helps. Now we are going again in June, and having a panic attack is the last thing on my mind. It is great!

I know medication isn't for everyone, so here are some other recommendations I hope will help. I definitely recommend Tour Guide Mike or the Unofficial Guide to Disney. Planning our days around the non crowded parks helped. So did going in the early mornings and then leaving around noon for a mid day nap when the crowds got bad. We also drove our own car instead of riding the busses which helped. Gave me a sense of control if I started to panic. I knew my hubby could just turn the car around.

 

[spotdog]

This is kind of off topic... but sometimes, if you really can't afford your medication, your doctor can contact the company that makes that medication and the company will donate a 3 month supply. I had to fill out a form about my income and assets. It keep me going until I had found other insurance.

I take Paxil and Buspar daily, which has turned me into a functional person. I've had Ativan and Clonepin in the past (for my emergency panic attack medication), but now use Gabapentin (Neurontin) for that.

Except for the crowds, I find WDW very relaxing. I try to only travel there in Sept. and early Oct., when the crowds are smaller. I use the Disney transportation, if the bus is too crowded I try to wait for the next one. In an anxiety emergency the CM's are good about directing me to a cab (since I stay on the property, it is not TOO expensive).

Only once have I have to use the First Aid Center for an anxiety attack. I couldn't stop crying and felt really embarrassed to be where people could see me. The nurse was very understanding and gave me some juice to take my "emergency med" and let me rest there until I could regain my composure. I got the impression that my problem was not unusual.

 

[Stitch1404]

It might be helpful to discuss what your role (or another family members role) should be if your sister has an anxiety attack or needs to leave a line or something. What is helpful to her? What makes it worse? What might her needs be? Planning for one is difficult but it's so much more difficult to express what you want from others when your brain isn't processing much more then the overwhelming anxiety. Can she express her needs when shes having an anxiety attack? Like can she say "I'm ok but I'll meet you at the exit". My first reaction to anxiety is to run away and hide. Some times people cant find me . Make sure she has her own cell phone with her at all times. It will make meeting up after an attraction a lot easier.

YES!!! Have a plan. I too have anxiety disorder, and I can't be talked to when I have an attack. I had one waiting in line for Space Mountain. It is sooo dark in there, it just set me off. Anyway, I freaked out, ran into the FP line and out the exit. Then it was up to my family to try to find me in the Magic Kingdom around noon...a tough job. I can't think when I'm having an attack, I can't be logical, I just have to get out of the situation, so having a plan is best.

 

[PrincessPatty]

All of you have some great ideas, she enjoys getting the replies (plus she knows she's not the only one in the world who has them!)

Thank you all once again! Keep up the good advice, we're trying to get her psyched up for this trip!

 

[Schmeck]

Fastpass will make most attractions much easier for the OP's sister, as will the GAC, but what is your plan if she has a panic attack on a ride? I've had "near-panic" ones on Space Mountain, at the beginning of the ride, and also on BTMRR at the beginning. Also had a mild panic attack on HM when the ride stopped for a few minutes while we were in the graveyard scene. If the sister has severe ones, what would the family be able to do in the middle of a ride?