Panic Attacks

[BradyBz12]

I don't know for sure, but I would imagine this could be true IF the ride car hasn't actually moved out of the loading area yet.

However in the ToT example that's been discussed here, by the time the elevator doors close and you've already ascended up to the "hallway" scene, you're well past that point.

 

[brittanyherdnon85]

I am prone to panic attacks, However I try to keep in mine that all the rides are safe, cuse the last thing disney wants is a lawsuit

 

[Kristina]

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?

Regarding Soarin you can be released from your seat belt as I have had to have done twice now, unfortunatley . It only took a quick moment and the CM was really nice about it, of course.

Education is key, ask your CM questions before boarding to put your mind at rest.

 

[Kristina]

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

You don't have to cry or anything, just say you want out and they will let you out. You can change your mind for whatever reason, no need to explain but it's most often fear, of course. This happened to me on Manta recently, I thought I'd be okay but nope!

 

[aussietravellers]

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?

Not entirely true. We have just returned from Disneyland and my DS had a panic attack once he had done up his seat belt looped through the little bit between their legs for kids and wanted to get off (I hadn't clicked mine in yet, but his was clicked in). There was a ride attendant there and I asked if it was too late to get off (people in the rows behind were still getting organised. He said it's fine and I just undid his belt and off we went. DARN IT!!!! I MISSED THE RIDE We did try again later after wording him up on breathing and know that he will be ok etc and we rode the ride at the end of our trip and it was his favourite! Wanted to ride it again, LOL.

Then I did it, We were on the Nemo ride at Disneyland, we filed on, first in our row, EVERYBODY was on the ride in the submarine and I just couldn't stand it, I said, I'm sorry, I have to get off, it's too claustrphobic and they hadn't even closed the hatch yet. They asked everybody in our row to stand up ( of course we had to be right at the end of the row) and my DS came to and we just squeezed by everybody, then they yelled up that they had somebody coming off and then a cast member took us away to a special room, where we we got to sit and experience the ride without going on the submarine and it was great, so it's obviously very common for people on that ride to get claustrophobic having the ride played in a room! First time I have ever not wanted to ride a ride! I can ride any ride, not a panic attack kind of person and I have one on NEMO!!!! A non scary ride

We often had people walking backwards through ride queues to get out, usually with children. I think once the ride starts moving it's too late but if you get right up to the ride, no matter what ride you don't actually have to get on, even though you have passed a chicken gate.

 

[ShannonMB]

I personally think the OP probably is serious here - I am starting to understand where his "not excited about Disney at all" thread came from. Maybe it's not so much that he hates kids, but more afraid that he will make a fool of himself in front of his Chinese travel companion by freaking out on a ride. Just be honest with your friend about the situation, and use the chicken exits!

 

[ChrisFL]

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

That part is true, at least it happened when I was at DCA, getting on California Screamin'...a young boy was riding after his father tried to convince him to ride it but the boy was pretty distraught...we got to the point right before you launch, they stopped the ride and a CM asked if he wanted to get off....so they did.

 

[phinz]

The biggest issue I see here is that those who don't suffer from panic or anxiety disorders seem to assume that it only happens with thrill rides, while those who do suffer from them aren't doing anything to clarify the nature of panic or anxiety disorders.

I'm a thrill ride junkie. I can't get enough. I'm also being treated for panic and anxiety disorders, and have been for half of my life. I love Disney (and can't stand rude parents, screaming/sneezing/coughing/obnoxious kids or the stroller mafia) and have had a total of two panic attacks while at the parks. The least significant was as we boarded MS and I decided to back out at the last minute (I was already suffering anxiety symptoms and knew this would be a possibility so I left open the option. If I didn't do anything while suffering anxiety symptoms I'd never get out of bed) but the worst was on, of all rides, World of Energy. About halfway through the ride (and this is by far one of my favorite rides at EPCoT) a full-blown panic attack came on like I hadn't suffered in a while. At the time I was not medicated (I have a doctor that understands now) and I started suffering heart attack symptoms, hyperventilating, flop sweat and a fight or flight urge. I tried breathing exercises. No dice. So I put my head down and suffered. I wanted to jump out of the car and run for the exit sign, but knew it was a bad idea.

It doesn't take a thrill ride to suffer a true panic attack. All it takes is being alive. I get them in my sleep and they wake me up. I get them in my office while working. I get them in the car when we're between exits sometimes. Lock me in a room and I can become like a caged tiger. I'm better with the meds, but no meds can cure true panic or anxiety disorders. They just make them more tolerable. It truly can be debilitating, but I refuse to stop living my life as fully as I can bear.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

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.

You hit the nail on the head, this is along the same lines of all this OP's other trolling posts.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The biggest issue I see here is that those who don't suffer from panic or anxiety disorders seem to assume that it only happens with thrill rides, while those who do suffer from them aren't doing anything to clarify the nature of panic or anxiety disorders.

Oh, no. I know it's not just thrill rides. I've only ever had two panic attacks in my life - and both were in Haunted Mansion! I have no issues with the ride at all; it's just that apparently both [full] stretching rooms emptied at the same time and I couldn't handle the masses.

 

[SueM in MN]

The biggest issue I see here is that those who don't suffer from panic or anxiety disorders seem to assume that it only happens with thrill rides, while those who do suffer from them aren't doing anything to clarify the nature of panic or anxiety disorders.

I'm a thrill ride junkie. I can't get enough. I'm also being treated for panic and anxiety disorders, and have been for half of my life. I love Disney (and can't stand rude parents, screaming/sneezing/coughing/obnoxious kids or the stroller mafia) and have had a total of two panic attacks while at the parks. The least significant was as we boarded MS and I decided to back out at the last minute (I was already suffering anxiety symptoms and knew this would be a possibility so I left open the option. If I didn't do anything while suffering anxiety symptoms I'd never get out of bed) but the worst was on, of all rides, World of Energy. About halfway through the ride (and this is by far one of my favorite rides at EPCoT) a full-blown panic attack came on like I hadn't suffered in a while. At the time I was not medicated (I have a doctor that understands now) and I started suffering heart attack symptoms, hyperventilating, flop sweat and a fight or flight urge. I tried breathing exercises. No dice. So I put my head down and suffered. I wanted to jump out of the car and run for the exit sign, but knew it was a bad idea.

It doesn't take a thrill ride to suffer a true panic attack. All it takes is being alive. I get them in my sleep and they wake me up. I get them in my office while working. I get them in the car when we're between exits sometimes. Lock me in a room and I can become like a caged tiger. I'm better with the meds, but no meds can cure true panic or anxiety disorders. They just make them more tolerable. It truly can be debilitating, but I refuse to stop living my life as fully as I can bear.

I would have to respectfully disagree with the bolded statement.
There have been quite a few people who suffer panic attacks who have posted about a variety of attractions, including rides like Spaceship Earth that I posted about (not exactly a thrill ride), Haunted Mansion and Peter Pan. A lot of the discussion about thrill rides came from the OP's questions and/or comments.
Most of the people who have had panic attacks have given the same advice over and over again. And, my advice would be the same whether talking about thrill rides or more 'tame' rides.

• Know what are specific triggers for you.
• Know what types of things work as calming or coping mechanisms for you. Use them. If you don't think they will be enough, talk to your doctor about other things that may help. Medication is not a cure; it is a tool that can be helpful for many people in getting thru the panic attack.
• If you are having generalized or severe panic attacks without any specific triggers you can determine, maybe you need to talk to your doctor.
• Find out as much as possible about the different attractions from places like website, videos (youtube and actually the official Disney website), pictures of ride cars, etc.
• Determine which attractions have things that you know are triggers and don't ride those.
• The thrill rides do have restraints which will be securely fastened before the ride starts and will be fastened securely through the whole ride. The ride won't start until the CM makes sure the restraint is fastened.
• Once the attraction has started in motion, you won't be able to get off until it ends.
• If being on an attraction without being able to get off for more than a few minutes will cause problems, do some research to find out how long attractions are. I was looking for this before, but could not find it - here's a list of how long attractions last.
• There are no panic buttons on any attractions. Stopping a ride with a panic button would put other guests in an unsafe situation and cause a need for an evacuation - which may mean the fire department coming to 'rescue' people off the ride.
• There are cameras on attractions - even the dark ones. If a CM notices a guest having a probable medical incident, the safest thing is to not stop the ride, but be prepared to handle a potential medical emergency at the end of the ride. It would be much safer for the guest with a medical emergency to be at the normal unload area, where they can be safely helped.
• All thrill rides have 'chicken' exits. If you think you might need to use it, use it.

 

[pwmitch237]

I would have to respectfully disagree with the bolded statement.
There have been quite a few people who suffer panic attacks who have posted about a variety of attractions, including rides like Spaceship Earth that I posted about (not exactly a thrill ride), Haunted Mansion and Peter Pan. A lot of the discussion about thrill rides came from the OP's questions and/or comments.
Most of the people who have had panic attacks have given the same advice over and over again. And, my advice would be the same whether talking about thrill rides or more 'tame' rides.

• Know what are specific triggers for you.
• Know what types of things work as calming or coping mechanisms for you. Use them. If you don't think they will be enough, talk to your doctor about other things that may help. Medication is not a cure; it is a tool that can be helpful for many people in getting thru the panic attack.
• If you are having generalized or severe panic attacks without any specific triggers you can determine, maybe you need to talk to your doctor.
• Find out as much as possible about the different attractions from places like website, videos (youtube and actually the official Disney website), pictures of ride cars, etc.
• Determine which attractions have things that you know are triggers and don't ride those.
• The thrill rides do have restraints which will be securely fastened before the ride starts and will be fastened securely through the whole ride. The ride won't start until the CM makes sure the restraint is fastened.
• Once the attraction has started in motion, you won't be able to get off until it ends.
• If being on an attraction without being able to get off for more than a few minutes will cause problems, do some research to find out how long attractions are. I was looking for this before, but could not find it - here's a list of how long attractions last.
• There are no panic buttons on any attractions. Stopping a ride with a panic button would put other guests in an unsafe situation and cause a need for an evacuation - which may mean the fire department coming to 'rescue' people off the ride.
• There are cameras on attractions - even the dark ones. If a CM notices a guest having a probable medical incident, the safest thing is to not stop the ride, but be prepared to handle a potential medical emergency at the end of the ride. It would be much safer for the guest with a medical emergency to be at the normal unload area, where they can be safely helped.
• All thrill rides have 'chicken' exits. If you think you might need to use it, use it.

*APPLAUSE*

Exactly, know what your limits are, and know what each attraction does. Also, each attraction has a (sometimes rather lengthy) safety spiel, that should tell you who and who should not ride.

 

[Jennasis]

I had a panic attack during the Finding Nemo show. I'm not joking. Just sitting there and a few minutes into the show, BAM! So yeah, they can strike anytime, anywhere and for reasons unknown. I'm not afraid of crowds, fish, musicals, the dark, loud noises etc...so I have NO idea where it came from. I just had to delve into my box of coping techniques to get through it (breathing, focus etc).

If you are are prone to panic attacks where you have no control of yourself or are dissociated from reality then you need to seek professional help immediately. There is no need to have to live that way. There are coping techniques, and medication that can help you. The meds don't need to be permanent.

Until you get that help, stay away from ANYTHING that you are even worried may cause an attack. For your health and safety and the safety of others. It may make for a boring vacation, but it's better than a traumatic vacation or one spent in the hospital or morgue.

 

[BradyBz12]

Most of the people who have had panic attacks have given the same advice over and over again. And, my advice would be the same whether talking about thrill rides or more 'tame' rides.

• Know what are specific triggers for you.
• Know what types of things work as calming or coping mechanisms for you. Use them. If you don't think they will be enough, talk to your doctor about other things that may help. Medication is not a cure; it is a tool that can be helpful for many people in getting thru the panic attack.
• If you are having generalized or severe panic attacks without any specific triggers you can determine, maybe you need to talk to your doctor.
• Find out as much as possible about the different attractions from places like website, videos (youtube and actually the official Disney website), pictures of ride cars, etc.
• Determine which attractions have things that you know are triggers and don't ride those.
• The thrill rides do have restraints which will be securely fastened before the ride starts and will be fastened securely through the whole ride. The ride won't start until the CM makes sure the restraint is fastened.
• Once the attraction has started in motion, you won't be able to get off until it ends.
• If being on an attraction without being able to get off for more than a few minutes will cause problems, do some research to find out how long attractions are. I was looking for this before, but could not find it - here's a list of how long attractions last.
• There are no panic buttons on any attractions. Stopping a ride with a panic button would put other guests in an unsafe situation and cause a need for an evacuation - which may mean the fire department coming to 'rescue' people off the ride.
• There are cameras on attractions - even the dark ones. If a CM notices a guest having a probable medical incident, the safest thing is to not stop the ride, but be prepared to handle a potential medical emergency at the end of the ride. It would be much safer for the guest with a medical emergency to be at the normal unload area, where they can be safely helped.
• All thrill rides have 'chicken' exits. If you think you might need to use it, use it.

Thank you.

 

[ticklemepink]

Contrary to what many of you may think, I am not some kind of nevous nelly nut that is prone to freak out at the smallest thing. I am almost certain that I will be okay, especially if I work my way up to the more thrilling rides and back out of the ones that are the most extreme. The problem is that it is difficult to know what to expect if you have NEVER been on any of these rides before. Youtube only shows so much. Fear is 100x worse than the actual experience itself.

 

[mjkacmom]

The biggest issue I see here is that those who don't suffer from panic or anxiety disorders seem to assume that it only happens with thrill rides, while those who do suffer from them aren't doing anything to clarify the nature of panic or anxiety disorders.

It doesn't take a thrill ride to suffer a true panic attack. All it takes is being alive. I get them in my sleep and they wake me up. I get them in my office while working. I get them in the car when we're between exits sometimes. Lock me in a room and I can become like a caged tiger. I'm better with the meds, but no meds can cure true panic or anxiety disorders. They just make them more tolerable. It truly can be debilitating, but I refuse to stop living my life as fully as I can bear.

Exactly! There are times I can predict them, but there are times when they can be so random (like in the car). I've had more panic attacks that were not warrented than boarding a roller coaster.

 

[BradyBz12]

Youtube only shows so much. Fear is 100x worse than the actual experience itself.

Very true! And the more you worry about how you'll react on the ride, the more anxious you'll be before you ever step foot on it.

DH had himself all psyched out about ToT before he rode it for the first time and he gets pretty severe anxiety attacks too (he'll actually spike a fever). The reputation, the screaming, the theming, all built the anticipation and his anxiety level. But he decided it was worth giving it a try. And you know what? He LOVED it. Since that fateful day in 2004 he's probably ridden it 50 times, and he's the one that will drag me on it over and over again if the line is short.

Of course that won't be everyone's experience, but it does show that sometimes the actual thing itself isn't anywhere near as bad as it is in your head.

And as for what to expect with ToT (since that's mostly what we've been talking about), you're right, YouTube only shows so much. So here is exactly what you can expect from my earlier post...

It it helps, here's the ToT experience in a nutshell (spoilers if people don't want to know)
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You enter the "elevator" which consists of 3 rows of seats facing forward with an aisle in the middle. (IMO the most "secure" feeling seats are those against the wall and in the back 2 rows) You are seatbelted into your seat. The seatbelts lock into place and the CM tests to make sure everyone is secure. They leave and the doors close. It gets dark and you go up. The doors open and there is a "spooky scene" that plays into the story line (I won't give it completely away but I've never seen anyone get freaked out by it). Everything goes dark again, the doors close and you go up some more. The doors open and this time your car moves forward through yet another story-driven "spooky scene" that's actually fairly tame (nothing gross or shocking). You move past the scene towards doors that slide open, and into the elevator "shaft". At this point you are in complete darkness. The car then begins it's rise/fall through a random series of controlled "drops" - FYI you're not actually free falling, and the up/down motion is actually quite smooth. At some points you may stop where the "doors" in the front of the building open and you can see out over the park. At this point you will be very high up (close your eyes if you're afraid of heights). There are generally another couple/few "drops" after the door closes and then you're gently brought back to earth.

The number/length of the drops are random and change from ride to ride. The entire thing is over in less than 5 minutes.

True you still won't know how you'll FEEL once you're really there, but that's true of anything new in life that you're facing. Nothing you can do about that. Think of it this way - unless you never leave the house, everyday life is filled with new, sometimes scary things. And it doesn't come with a "panic button" in case you find yourself not coping well. You find a way to deal with it or you choose to avoid it.

When it comes to a theme park ride (and that's really all we're talking about here - it's not one of life's necessities), best you can do is try and have as accurate an idea as you can about what to expect. Maybe then, if you do start to panic, you can say to yourself, "I can do this, only XYZ left, I know what's coming next, etc..."

And I wouldn't worry about "breaking with reality" and trying to do something stupid. By your own account you've never done this before, and people here with anxiety across the spectrum have confirmed that, while this may be an extremely unpleasant situation, they have never acted irrationally as a result. You won't be able to get out of the car and harm yourself because of the restraints. You MAY have to stick out a few minutes of being freaked out, but then it will be over and you will be safe.

And in the end, if you choose not to take a chance and ride, it's not going to ruin your day or your trip. If your companion wants to go you can accompany them in line, leave at the chicken exit and meet them at the end. No worries!

 

[KellyNY]

Contrary to what many of you may think, I am not some kind of nevous nelly nut that is prone to freak out at the smallest thing. I am almost certain that I will be okay, especially if I work my way up to the more thrilling rides and back out of the ones that are the most extreme. The problem is that it is difficult to know what to expect if you have NEVER been on any of these rides before. Youtube only shows so much. Fear is 100x worse than the actual experience itself.

Ok, this is why rides are rated, you may not know how it feels but you do know it will be intence. Also each ride trigger some specific fear, like Soarin is no good for those with fear of height and SM is not good for fear of drops. You do know what you are afraid of, so avoid it. I do not do most of trill rides and I have plenty to do in parks. Why do not you stick to safe rides. Your friend can ride without you, no problem. You do not seem to look for solution of your problem. If you just ask "why they do not have panic butons" again and again, you will not get anywhere. Go around the problem, of couse if you want it and not just here to stir.

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

A few years ago my DH went on ToT alone while i stayed back with our two kids, both too young to ride at that time. He said around the time where you see the ghosts a little girl (about 10, he thought) started FREAKING out. he said she was screaming, clawing at her Mom and begging to get out. She was practically crawling the wall trying to get free, he said. The Mom began screaming for help, saying, "Stop this ride! Stop the ride - she can't do the drop! She can't do the drop! Don't send us down the drop!" After a bit of this, a CM came over a speaker and said that he did not control the drop and to restrain the child. However, at 10, this was difficult and it was just the Mom with her. DH said pandamoneum was erupting in the elevator car as others tried to help and other kids began freaking out in response to the girl, and finally the ride stopped, lights came on and they had to walk down and out.

I still think about that poor kid. I hope she waits a longgg time before trying that one again!

So, I guess my message in all this is: don't try ToT if you think that one might cause a panic attack! I am not sure they would've stopped it for an adult.

 

[lbklyn]

I also get panic attacks from time to time. Started 4 years ago the day after Thanksgiving. Thought I was having a heart attact and was rushed to hospital in ambulance. They could not find anything wrong besides my blood pressure being elevated. I was so convinced there had to be something wrong I agreed to a spinal tap (to make sure nothing wrong in the brain if I remember correctly) and BELIEVE ME that is not pleasent. Point is I could not believe this horror was all in my head. They can be brutal. I did wind up taking xanex for attacks but they became few and far between. May have to take one every 6 or so months now. But I do Know some people can become very dependent on them.
The advise on this thread was wonderful and I hope the op gets something out of it. BUT I WILL HAVE TO ERASE THIS WHOLE discussion from my head next time I am in WDW!!!! I DO have fears of thrill rides but LOVE Soarin and Splash Mountain. And if this thread pops into my head I may be the one climbing out of my seat!!!