My sister with anxiey disorder

[Forevryoung]

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?

I didn't even think of that... I guess because I have a sort of "control" that most people with anxiety disorders dont have. If I want to do something badly enough, I will get through it somehow... Besides, I find there is so much going on once I get on a ride that I am totally immersed in the ride and not thinking about "life". If I remove the trigger mentally or physically (mentally by never noticing it to begin with, physically by removing myself or the trigger) the anxiety doesn't become overwhelming. Then again, I'm rather unique when it comes to my mental issues so take what i say with a grain of salt because I know this isn't the case for most of the population.

What DOES make a difference for most people is their state of mind and how they feel prior to encountering a trigger. If we are well rested, have eaten a decent meal and are properly hydrated our bodies feel better. I am definitely more likely to have an anxiety attack when I am tired. I tackle more difficult rides first thing in the morning or right after lunch (like space mountain). If I am having an "off day" or a "rough moment" I will take it especially easy and not push myself. I would rather hop back to a park the next day when I'm feeling great then risk having a melt down.

 

[lasostitch]

all of you are right......my sister is one to it is scary sometimes .so how many have a family member that is one???? i have about 2 so write me back and let me know thx alot or aim at lasostitch if you have a screen name if you don't then i do not know what to tell you but u can talk to me on her..
love ya
lauren

 

[shades]

The med I'm talking about is Lorazepam. It dissolves quickly under the tongue or you can take it like a regular pill. It works fast. Your sister would need to ask her doc for the med. If her doc does prescribe something new for her to try - I'd recommend that she not wait until she gets to Disney to begin trying it. Lorazepam makes me really sleepy and it's hard to enjoy myself when I just want to go to sleep. While at home, I take a lower dose daily and when I go to the parks - I take it as needed. Lorazepam is addictive and some doctors may be reluctant to prescribe it depending on the severity of the need.

Unfortunately, no med works fast enough while in the midst of a panic attack. However, she may be able to take a maintainance dose to help her get through the days.

There is lots of useful tips on this forum and one I haven't seen is that when your sister tells you she isn't going to ride or wait for a ride, simply ask her where you should meet her and leave it at that. Attempting to talk somebody into joining the group will only increase anxiety and possibly make her feel guilty for being a party pooper. I usually end up sick and stuck in the hotel room for an entire day during each of our trips because of built up anxiety and I get mentally worn out while trying to cope. My condition is embarrassing to me and I try to hide it from my dd & step-dd's - which, makes it all worse sometimes. I do get a GAC and like another poster mentioned, I don't use it all of the time - and, it does give me a sense of "insurance" that I can use it if I need to.

I had a major panic attack while trying to wait in the massive crowd for Soarin' and I cannot wait in the pre-show areas for some attractions like the Little Mermaid show.

It's amazing how much "empowered" I feel once I get a GAC! Even if I don't use it, I know it is there and I can. It is especially useful in helping me to keep from feeling guilty about ruining the kids fun because I can't go on a ride.

Best thing your sister can do is talk to her doc about her fears, ask for some "emergency" meds and get a GAC.

 

[JenJen]

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?

I had a panic attack on Jungle cruise last night and I just looked out of the boat and breathed slowly and tried to relax myself. What set me off was the extreme crowds and someone was taking multipal pictures with a flash and I am very sensitive to light for some reason. Sometimes it does happen but I can not let anxiety control my life so I keep on trucking

 

[PrincessPatty]

I had a panic attack on Jungle cruise last night and I just looked out of the boat and breathed slowly and tried to relax myself. What set me off was the extreme crowds and someone was taking multipal pictures with a flash and I am very sensitive to light for some reason. Sometimes it does happen but I can not let anxiety control my life so I keep on trucking

Sorry to hear about that its refreshing to hear that you'll "keep on trucking"

 

[shades]

I had a panic attack on Jungle cruise last night and I just looked out of the boat and breathed slowly and tried to relax myself. What set me off was the extreme crowds and someone was taking multipal pictures with a flash and I am very sensitive to light for some reason. Sometimes it does happen but I can not let anxiety control my life so I keep on trucking

Light does this to me, too. I also have PTSD and am very quick to get angry and annoyed and somebody taking a bunch of pictures with a flash right next to me can send me into a tail spin. Sometimes my anger will ignite a panic attack and I can go one of two ways - either panic within or an outburst. Well, an outburst isn't usually appropriate and my way of coping is to keep it internal and then panic begans. I just want to "escape" and I would have probably done the same thing you did.

There aren't any ways to "physically" escape attractions while they are in progress. I've ducked out of many lines while waiting and I no longer try to wait in the queue for those attractions anymore (Nordstrom, Soarin', etc.).

Kudos for keeping it under control and finishing the ride

 

[spotdog]

I like the idea of a "panic plan". I, too, have trouble talking when a panic attack is in full swing. I have rehearsed saying "I have a panic disorder and need to get out of here NOW". Fortunately I have seldom had to say this, but when I have, people have been surprisingly helpful in assisting me through the crowd. Of course, this doesn't mean I get to go on the ride or check out my groceries. I just have a chance to regain my composure and try again.

I agree with SHADES that it is a good idea to "try out" a medication at home before using it at WDW for the first time. Lorazepam (Ativan) is a good, but not instant, medication for controlling panic. It makes me a bit dazed and sleepy, which is an acceptable alternative to panic. However, I sure can't drive home this way.

I like Disney trips because they are a safe way to push my limits. I try some rides which are a bit scary, but avoid the ones like Space Mountain. It is dark and disorienting. The last time I rode it I kept my head between my legs and kept counting slowly "One thousand one, it has to end..one thousand two, it has to end.." Silly I know, but I made it.

 

[Schmeck]

Spotdog, I do the same thing! The part of Splash Mountain that gets to me the most is the last ramp up before the final drop. My heart starts getting erratic, and I start to feel the sides of my eyes 'closing in', what they call tunnel vision, I think? Anyways, I start to count, and know that by the time I reach 50 it's over. Of course, one time we got stopped on the ramp

 

[NoodlesTheRabbit]

Boy does it feel good to know there's others out there like me! I get sweaty hands, shallow breathing, nausea, etc. I have never really had a bad attack at WDW, only on the bus--no escape. I carry xanax with me, just in case, but it makes me very sleepy too. It does make me feel better knowing it's there. As far as a GAC, what exactly does the Dr. have to say in her letter? I never thought to get one of these, but just having it might make me feel better. Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

As far as a GAC, what exactly does the Dr. have to say in her letter? I never thought to get one of these, but just having it might make me feel better. Thanks!

You need to be able to explain to the CM in Guest Relations what it is that you need.
Check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread stuck near the top of this board. One of the last posts in that thread has all the basics about GACs.

 

[shades]

Boy does it feel good to know there's others out there like me! I get sweaty hands, shallow breathing, nausea, etc. I have never really had a bad attack at WDW, only on the bus--no escape. I carry xanax with me, just in case, but it makes me very sleepy too. It does make me feel better knowing it's there. As far as a GAC, what exactly does the Dr. have to say in her letter? I never thought to get one of these, but just having it might make me feel better. Thanks!

I'd be willing to bet that your doc will know what needs to be said if you asked them for a letter. My doc did. Although, the CM didn't look at it when I asked for a GAC. I had it in my hand and he said "I can help you" and wrote down my name and asked how many in my party and left me standing in that spot for about 2 minutes while he went to a back office and wrote out a GAC. It was my first time I've ever asked for a GAC and I was in a pretty emotional state anyway after just walking out of the Soarin' line with a panic attack. I was soooooo thankful!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'd be willing to bet that your doc will know what needs to be said if you asked them for a letter. My doc did. Although, the CM didn't look at it when I asked for a GAC. I had it in my hand and he said "I can help you" and wrote down my name and asked how many in my party and left me standing in that spot for about 2 minutes while he went to a back office and wrote out a GAC. It was my first time I've ever asked for a GAC and I was in a pretty emotional state anyway after just walking out of the Soarin' line with a panic attack. I was soooooo thankful!!!

I forgot to add to my last post that you don't need a doctor's letter and (as shades mentioned) the CM is likely to not want to see it at all.
Some people do feel more confident asking for a GAC if they have a letter. Many doctor's write a letter that says something like "My patient has XXXX diagnosis. Please allow them every courtesy." That is not a helpful letter. They don't need to know your diagnosis, because people with the very same diagnosis often have very different needs (actually, you can see that in this thread where different people with axiety disorders are explaining the different things that cause them problems and to what extent). You will have much better experience if you can explain what causes a problem for you and what sorts of things help.