Panic Attacks

[ticklemepink]

What if you have a panic attack after the chicken door, but before the ride kicks into motion? Is there any way they can stop the ride?

 

[kpm76]

Well, if the ride has not started yet, I think the question is will they let you out once you are seated and ready to go. I'm guessing yes, but it might impact the ride for everyone else. Assuming this question is regarding an adult, I think I would skip any rides I thought might cause panic. Obviously, kids are unpredictable so if they freak that's a different story.

 

[ticklemepink]

I think I will be okay, but I remember having a panic attack on an airplane when I was a child. My fear is thinking that I will be okay, but then getting on the ride and finding out that this is not the case.

 

[maxiesmom]

It really depends on the ride. There are some like Soarin where once you latch the seat belt, it cannot be unlatched until the ride is over.

Is there a specific ride, or type of ride, you are thinking of?

 

[ticklemepink]

R+R coaster doesn't bother me, because once it starts it is pretty much over.

I just watched Tower of Terror on youtube for example. What happens when you get to the 5th floor (where you see the ghosts) and just totally lose it. Are you latched in at that point? I fear that I will try to climb out of the ride vehicle and get hurt. Are there any panic buttons?

 

[khgreen]

Both my daughter and I wanted the heck off Test Track-but the ride was already in motion so there was nothing we could do. I kept a big smile on my face to try to ease her fears-but I was scared to death. I consider myself a non-rider but my daughter loves rides-I think she got scared because at age 5 she didn't really understand that the car wasn't going to crash-she "gets" roller coasters and even went on TOT-so I was surprised his ride scared her so much. So my answer is no-they won’t let you off-I felt so proud of myself-living through it....and being brave for my daughter (who usually teases me for being afraid of coasters)

 

[pixie921]

R+R coaster doesn't bother me, because once it starts it is pretty much over.

I just watched Tower of Terror on youtube for example. What happens when you get to the 5th floor (where you see the ghosts) and just totally lose it. Are you latched in at that point? I fear that I will try to climb out of the ride vehicle and get hurt. Are there any panic buttons?

No, no panic buttons. And trying to climb out of the ride vehicle would be a horrible idea -- I can't even imagine what they'd do at that point. Perhaps practice some breathing techniques or wear a rubberband on your wrist that you can snap if you feel yourself start to panic. Having something to distract you could be very helpful.

 

[kpm76]

R+R coaster doesn't bother me, because once it starts it is pretty much over.

I just watched Tower of Terror on youtube for example. What happens when you get to the 5th floor (where you see the ghosts) and just totally lose it. Are you latched in at that point? I fear that I will try to climb out of the ride vehicle and get hurt. Are there any panic buttons?

Honestly, I am not trying to be mean because I am sure Panic Attacks are awful, but for your own safety, I think you should skip the thrill rides you think could cause panic. Trying to climb out would be horrific and could cause serious injury for you and others. I know it stinks to limit yourself based on the fear of an attack, but really you seem to have already thought about the idea of escaping and that's not an option.

 

[KellyNY]

R+R coaster doesn't bother me, because once it starts it is pretty much over.

I just watched Tower of Terror on youtube for example. What happens when you get to the 5th floor (where you see the ghosts) and just totally lose it. Are you latched in at that point? I fear that I will try to climb out of the ride vehicle and get hurt. Are there any panic buttons?

You will not have time for that. TOT is pretty fast ending, you will be afraid for sure but you will not have time to even try to climb out, all you will do is hold on handles and scream. That how I felt. Never again for me.

 

[robinb]

I remember when a little girl insisted on getting off of Rock and Roll after the seats were locked down and the train had turned to the start. They had to shut the ride down to get her out and then re-boot the whole ride. It took FOREVER. If you think you're going to panic on a ride, then PLEASE take the chicken exit instead. I was forgiving for a child, but I don't think I would be so forgiving for an adult who should know themselves better.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

R+R coaster doesn't bother me, because once it starts it is pretty much over.

I just watched Tower of Terror on youtube for example. What happens when you get to the 5th floor (where you see the ghosts) and just totally lose it. Are you latched in at that point? I fear that I will try to climb out of the ride vehicle and get hurt. Are there any panic buttons?

If you think there is even a remote chance you might freak out and try to exit the ride, I'd absolutely skip it. It's a matter of safety for you, other guests, and CMs.

 

[grandy w]

Every once in a while I can get a little clostraphobic,not to the point where I can't do things.But be fore-warned I thought I would never get out of Mission Space!What I do is think about my kids and I can calm myself down,they didn't seem to concerned! They were screaming their heads off having a blast,they rode twice more.(I sat down outside)

 

[ticklemepink]

I am sure something like this must have happened. Many people don't understand panic attacks and they come on suddenly and strong. You don't even need a history of them for them to come on.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I am sure something like this must have happened. Many people don't understand panic attacks and they come on suddenly and strong. You don't even need a history of them for them to come on.

I agree, but if you think you might susceptible to panic attacks which would induce potentially dangerous activity on certain attractions, it would be the responsible thing to skip those attractions.

 

[ancestry]

I do understand panic attacks as I have had more than my share in my life. However I have never had one on a ride NOR have I never been unable to control myself when I was having one -- i.e. having one on a ride would not make me crawl out of the ride.

If you have panic attacks that cause you to not be able to control your actions then I would *highly* recommend that you do not get in line on for the thrill rides. Doing so could endanger your life or the lives of others, in my honest opinion.

 

[pixie921]

I am sure something like this must have happened. Many people don't understand panic attacks and they come on suddenly and strong. You don't even need a history of them for them to come on.

That's why I suggested that if you're not going to simply skip a ride, then preparing yourself beforehand with a breathing technique or a distraction of some sort (again, many psychologists suggest the rubberband technique for panic attack diversion) might be wise.

 

[rubato]

R+R coaster doesn't bother me, because once it starts it is pretty much over.

I just watched Tower of Terror on youtube for example. What happens when you get to the 5th floor (where you see the ghosts) and just totally lose it. Are you latched in at that point? I fear that I will try to climb out of the ride vehicle and get hurt. Are there any panic buttons?

I lived through this scenario with my son. You are stuck until the ride is over. He screamed like we were killing him once he saw the ghosts, and I had to just try to comfort him just so the others on the ride enjoyed a little of theirs. 5 years later, he still won't ride it again! Don't do it!

 

[ticklemepink]

Are you saying that I should avoid all thrill rides? Taking Space, Splash, Big Thunder, EE, RR, TOT, Dinosaur, TT, and Soarin out of the equation will leave me with a very dull experience esp if my friend is very much into thrill rides. There is a 99.9999999% chance that I will be okay, but I would just like the peace of mind to know that there is an out even in the worst case scenario. I understand what you say about being inconvenienced with the delay, but aren't the rides slowed down to accomodate those with physical disabilities? What about those with mental issues?

 

[TDC Nala]

R+R coaster doesn't bother me, because once it starts it is pretty much over.

I just watched Tower of Terror on youtube for example. What happens when you get to the 5th floor (where you see the ghosts) and just totally lose it. Are you latched in at that point? I fear that I will try to climb out of the ride vehicle and get hurt. Are there any panic buttons?

You should not ride if you feel you might do this. There is no way to stop once the ride is in motion and climbing out of the ride would endanger yourself and other people on the ride.

 

[pixie921]

Are you saying that I should avoid all thrill rides? Taking Space, Splash, Big Thunder, EE, RR, TOT, Dinosaur, TT, and Soarin out of the equation will leave me with a very dull experience esp if my friend is very much into thrill rides. There is a 99.9999999% chance that I will be okay, but I would just like the peace of mind to know that there is an out even in the worst case scenario. I understand what you say about being inconvenienced with the delay, but aren't the rides slowed down to accomodate those with physical disabilities? What about those with mental issues?

Are you saying you have no interest in trying to get through a potential attack with coping techniques to make things easier on yourself and others? That your only acceptable option is forcing a ride to be stopped to accommodate you? If so, I don't understand that mindset at all. It wouldn't make for a very enjoyable trip, IMHO.