Panic Attacks

[itchin2go]

Elevators have panic buttons. Subway cars have emergency pull strings and it's not the end of the world.

You're having fun, aren't you?

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

Elevators have panic buttons. Subway cars have emergency pull strings and it's not the end of the world.

I can't understand your stubborn sense of entitlement. You seem to be positive you are going to have a panic attack, potentially putting other people in harm's way for a THRILL RIDE you voluntarily go on, knowing the potential consequences. Bottom line is, either see your doctor for your options (which may include some mild meds) or skip it. There's more to Disney than just the thrill rides. For you to knowingly put other people in danger because you start to freak it the epitomy of selfishness.

Posters are trying to give you unbiased, sound advice and you are refusing it, instead flaming the fire even more. It seems your motives are to be an attention seeker and you're not really here for advice or support.

I hope I am not at Disney with my family if you decided to throw caution to the wind and go on ToT without preparing for a worst case scenario.

 

[buzz2400]

I also get panic attacks. I keep my valium handy whenever I get on a ride. One time I was on RnR coaster. They loaded us and sent us to the part right before youtake off. We sat and sat. Finally they come over and tell us they have to get us off and reload the ride. I started to freak out a little, yelling for the guy to come over and talk to me. I only need a little reassurance that it will only be a few minutes and then I calm down but my son likes to tell people the story about the time I freaked out. it really wasn't that bad except for the fact that I pleaded for the guy to come over. Anyway, I just want to warn people who do have panic attacks that they should also be prepared for the ride to break down. You will have to sit there until it is fixed. If you do have panic attacks and you do want to go on the rides, bring a valium just in case. And just also to let people know, I will continue to ride the rides even though I do have panic attacks. I won't ever try to get out or disrupt a ride.

 

[KPeveler]

Yes, but most of us have experienced riding on the freeway or in an airplane. With many of these rides, you really can't tell what you are in for until you are on the ride. The youtube clips really aren't a good indication, especially when many of the rides are dark and people are screaming. My worst fear is freaking out and hyperventilating and not being able to breath.

I can't ride any rides until someone i know has been on them, to tell me what to expect, because i have a unique disability which causes a whole host of fun problems. I suggest talking to someone who has been on it, and see what happens.

Most thrill rides cannot have stop buttons, as they are in constant motion. How would a stop button on a coaster work?

I have anxiety issues, as well as my other disabilities, so I too have to plan ahead of time.

Most rides cannot be unloaded once they start moving, Peter Pan even requires the fire department to help unload!

Learn your triggers. I am claustraphobic, so I cannot go on mission space, for example

Plan ahead, and just keep telling yourself it is a ride, does not kill people, and it will end. If you need a break, go to the First Aid center in each park, and they have private areas you can stop and calm down if need be.

 

[mjkacmom]

I get them, and I'm afraid of flying (start having panic attacks weeks before the actual flight). Should they land the plane?

 

[ChrisFL]

I'm getting a panic attack reading OP's ideas

About Splash Mountain getting lap bars, it has nothing to do with people falling out, but GETTING OUT intentionally and therefore either injuring themselves/damaging things/ or causing an E-stop on the ride.

I've seen the control tower...cameras are EVERYWHERE on Splash Mountain, so they know very well when people are trying to get out.

It's a sad reality but soon we may be seeing lap bars on Splash Mountain, doors on the parking trams and who knows what else...all because people can't be trusted with common sense anymore

 

[figmentgirl]

You're having fun, aren't you?

Agreed. They are not seeking help. Not at this point anyway.

I have suffered with the same condition (earlier in life... have since found recovery) and I feel this entire thread mocks people who take this illness seriously. Never in my life have I presumed a theme park would have a "middle of the ride" exit. Six flags doesn't and neither do any other themed parks I have ever been to. When people suggested alternatives they've been spoken down to, and at this point I think nothing can be said that wouldn't provoke another curt response about how little we understand his/her disorder.

I

 

[ticklemepink]

I disagree with your assertion that someone "intentionally" would get out of a moving ride vehicle.

I doubt someone riding Splash Mountain would say to themselves that, "after second thought, I think I'd rather not experience that drop, as it makes my stomach queasy and is quite unpleasant, so I think I will step out of the ride vehicle now." It doesn't work like that. I think in a panic attack situation, you would totally disassociate with reality, and the fight or flight mechanism would kick in which would lead one to act in a totally irrational manner. That's why I am shocked that there are no lap bars or panic buttons on the SM ride.

Also, with all those g forces on R+R, taking powerful controlled substances doesn't seem like a smart thing to do either.

 

[maxiesmom]

I disagree with your assertion that someone "intentionally" would get out of a moving ride vehicle.

I doubt someone riding Splash Mountain would say to themselves that, "after second thought, I think I'd rather not experience that drop, as it makes my stomach queasy and is quite unpleasant, so I think I will step out of the ride vehicle now." It doesn't work like that. I think in a panic attack situation, you would totally disassociate with reality, and the fight or flight mechanism would kick in which would lead one to act in a totally irrational manner. That's why I am shocked that there are no lap bars or panic buttons on the SM ride.

Also, with all those g forces, taking powerful controlled substances doesn't seem like a smart thing to do either.

If your panic attacks are so severe you can't physically control yourself, then you have no business going on a theme park ride where you even think you may loose control.

 

[ticklemepink]

Well, the point is that sometimes panic attacks can strike out of nowhere, even hitting those who have never even experienced them before.

 

[maxiesmom]

Well, the point is that sometimes panic attacks can strike out of nowhere, even hitting those who have never even experienced them before.

You can't plan for everything that may happen. Someone may get a migrane from out of the blue. Someone may suddenly vomit. Stuff happens. Thing is, you KNOW you may panic. Now you need to stop obsessing over every little detail. It isn't healthy, and is probably not helpful to your situation at all. You know there are no panic buttons, so decide if you can tough it out on a ride if you do panic. Otherwise, don't ride!

 

[KPeveler]

I disagree with your assertion that someone "intentionally" would get out of a moving ride vehicle.

I doubt someone riding Splash Mountain would say to themselves that, "after second thought, I think I'd rather not experience that drop, as it makes my stomach queasy and is quite unpleasant, so I think I will step out of the ride vehicle now." It doesn't work like that. I think in a panic attack situation, you would totally disassociate with reality, and the fight or flight mechanism would kick in which would lead one to act in a totally irrational manner. That's why I am shocked that there are no lap bars or panic buttons on the SM ride.

Have you ever had a panic attack? I mean, really? I think you are confusing a panic attack with a psychotic episode.

I have physical disabilities as well as mental/emotional problems, so I get that there are a range of needs and problems.

I have GAD, social anxiety, PTSD, SPD/SID, ADD, ADHD, and a neuro problem that causes severe pain if someone bumps me. I have had panic attacks for more than a decade. I have never once lost the ability to understand that I am in a situation where I should not get out of a ride car, or where I completely lost touch with where I was.

A person with a psychotic or delusional disorder might have problems with losing touch with reality, but not (at least in any circumstance I have ever heard of) a person with a panic attack.

I think that others are right - at this point you are not interested in help, just arguing...

 

[drew64]

I am having a panic attack- my first, thinking about the chance that me or my children could possibly be on a ride, in an elevator/subway/bus/plane, or on a hghway with OP.
Please do yourself and everyone else a favor if you have such uncontrollable attacks and stay home as you may be a danger to yourself or others on a ride/attraction.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think that others are right - at this point you are not interested in help, just arguing...

I'm afraid I have to agree. The OP just seems to want to argue. It is too bad when I think many people could have benfited from a honest discussion about panic attacks and what can be done to help deal with them.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

You're having fun, aren't you?

I can't believe how long this as gone on. The OP complained so much about awful kids in his last thread. Can you imagine being in line behind this guy? Sorry I will take a whiny kid and their screaming parents any day. OP if you are real and you really have a friend from China and he/she really loves WDW I would suggest they either go alone or with someone else. If your friend is coming to this country to see their beloved Disney in the US they will be so sad and disappointed. Disney is a truely magical place. Even with the crowds, heat, loud obnoxious teens, whiny kids and screaming parents. None of which can truely make a trip as miserable as a grumpy traveling companion.

 

[itchin2go]

I can't believe how long this as gone on. The OP complained so much about awful kids in his last thread. Can you imagine being in line behind this guy? Sorry I will take a whiny kid and their screaming parents any day. OP if you are real and you really have a friend from China and he/she really loves WDW I would suggest they either go alone or with someone else. If your friend is coming to this country to see their beloved Disney in the US they will be so sad and disappointed. Disney is a truely magical place. Even with the crowds, heat, loud obnoxious teens, whiny kids and screaming parents. None of which can truely make a trip as miserable as a grumpy traveling companion.

Uggh. Can you imagine travelling from China to the U.S. to see THIS guy? I might need some Xanax for THAT.

 

[ticklemepink]

Thank you for that.

I think I am done with this thread. I regret that a legitimate discussion regarding panic attacks and thrill rides has devolved into a series of personal attacks against me. I hope people that I run into down there are more understanding.

 

[somethingblue]

Is there a way we can get this board closed, since the question has been answered many, many times and it is now just a springboard for argument?

 

[BradyBz12]

PP is correct - your original question was whether or not you can get off a ride after the chicken exit or if there are any sort of panic buttons in case you freak out partway through the ride (and yes, the hallway/ghost scene in ToT is well into the ride sequence).

The definitive answer is NO to those questions. There's no "but what if?" scenario - it is what it is. You don't need to agree with how things are setup, but that's the way they are and they are highly unlikely to change anytime in the near future (if ever).

Subsequently people have tried to offer you advice/support when it comes to how you might deal with a panic attack on a ride (since you now know you do not have the option of getting off) and/or how to decide if you should even take the chance, and yet you have continued to argue with every poster. It's a shame things have devolved into name calling, but that tends to happen when people honestly try to help and are shot down at every turn.

I agree - time to close this thread down.

 

[Hannah_Montana94]

I do not know if anyone else mentioned this or can tell me if this is true or not but I heard if your on a roller coaster and there getting ready to start up like every one just got in your seats and they are checking seat belts that if your just horrible and clearly crying and so on I heard they have to ask you are you ok and if you would like to get out.But I am not sure if its true I have only heard it from a few people.But I thought it was pretty neat and could be helpful for some people