Touring the parks with anxiety disorder

[MrsHull]

Just back and we had an amazing trip. I had one panic attack in Epcot on the second day of our trip, but my husband helped me find a quiet, cool place to sit it out. From there on, I was more aware of the need to rest, eat good food, and drink plenty of water and only had minor issues through the rest of the trip. Thanks for the advice!

As for the sleepiness, I go back to the doctor next week to tweak my medication.

 

[DaisyMom09]

Just back and we had an amazing trip. I had one panic attack in Epcot on the second day of our trip, but my husband helped me find a quiet, cool place to sit it out. From there on, I was more aware of the need to rest, eat good food, and drink plenty of water and only had minor issues through the rest of the trip. Thanks for the advice!

As for the sleepiness, I go back to the doctor next week to tweak my medication.

So glad you had a good experience! I always feel so much more confident after completing a trip or something I feel is "difficult" for me and knowing I can do it!

 

[DaisyMom09]

I was just watching the podcast and our thread made it into Jackie's Top Ten list! How exciting! Thanks to all who have contributed and made this a positive place. And thanks so much Jackie for sharing our thread! It meant a lot!

 

[MyKidsMom1820]

Anyone else with anxiety issues traveling to wdw in June 2016? I haven't been for 5 years and that was before I had a diagnosed anxiety disorder (panic attacks with mild agoraphobia). I thought it might be helpful to form a positive support group?

 

[gap2368]

Anyone else with anxiety issues traveling to wdw in June 2016? I haven't been for 5 years and that was before I had a diagnosed anxiety disorder (panic attacks with mild agoraphobia). I thought it might be helpful to form a positive support group?

I go every 4 to 6 weeks so there is a good chance I will be going then. Disney can be challenging with disability but it can be done, this thread has some great ideas and if you have any specific needs just ask there are a lot of great people here

 

[kandb]

I have had anxiety almost my whole life. I have not gone on full time medication for it. I take around 5 mg of valium if I have to go to any doctor/medical test/dentist. I totally have the "white coat syndrome". My son had to get blood taken a few days ago and I was so anxious just going in with him. I did and it was fine but the young phlebotomist? said "your a lot more nervous then he is". Yeah, no kidding. lol What are some of the other medications people take for times that they are just having high anxiety (not daily medication)? I find the valium works OK but I know it takes a while to kick in. One thing I have felt has been helpful is playing a few games on my I-phone when I am feeling anxious (candy crush etc), I guess it works mostly as a distraction but does seem to help.

 

[DaisyMom09]

I have had anxiety almost my whole life. I have not gone on full time medication for it. I take around 5 mg of valium if I have to go to any doctor/medical test/dentist. I totally have the "white coat syndrome". My son had to get blood taken a few days ago and I was so anxious just going in with him. I did and it was fine but the young phlebotomist? said "your a lot more nervous then he is". Yeah, no kidding. lol What are some of the other medications people take for times that they are just having high anxiety (not daily medication)? I find the valium works OK but I know it takes a while to kick in. One thing I have felt has been helpful is playing a few games on my I-phone when I am feeling anxious (candy crush etc), I guess it works mostly as a distraction but does seem to help.

I have not found a medication that really helps other than taking a prescribed medication as directed by a doctor. I do have an anti-anxiety medicine that I take "as needed", but it is a habit-forming drug so my doctor and I have to monitor it very closely. I do find that a sleep tablet or Benadryl will usually relax me, but it will also make me drowsy.

 

[DisneyOma]

Almost every medication takes at least half an hour to be effective - or at least that's what I tell myself I can hold things together for half an hour, if I know relief is on its way.

 

[kandb]

I think there is a medication that you can put underneath your tongue and it works quickly. With anxiety, 30 min wait for a medication to work is too long.

 

[DaisyMom09]

Anyone else with anxiety issues traveling to wdw in June 2016? I haven't been for 5 years and that was before I had a diagnosed anxiety disorder (panic attacks with mild agoraphobia). I thought it might be helpful to form a positive support group?

I actually just booked a trip for June 2016. This is the first time I will be going twice in one calendar year. I've been in June before so I know it's going to be crowd heavy. My current plans: hit the parks as early as possible in the morning and use touring plans, leave around or soon after lunch time for mid-day break (might tweak this once or twice in order to view FoF parade), park hop to different park in evening, avoid any extra magic hours as that usually means more crowds, and schedule very little dining reservations except for a few at our hotel (AKL).

 

[bopper]

Thanks so much for posting! I have anxiety and we're taking our first Disney trip in 44 days. Im a nervous wreck! I'm not on any meds, although I've been prescribed Paxil twice, just too scared to take it. At home and work, I'm good at managing my anxiety. I'm terrified of our flight the most. I've flown before and only had one (mild) panic attack during my last flight two years ago. Driving isn't an option, so I'm going to hope for the best and have lots of videos, music, books, and magazines to occupy myself with.

Keep in mind there is really no way to "fail" at WDW...Do what you can do and don't over do it...but consider taking the Paxil...realize that you are afraid to take it because...YOU HAVE ANXIETY!

Also make sure you are aware of the security procedures...and do you have an aisle seat on the airplane? That may make you feel better as you feel "free-er". Bring headphones so you can concentrate on the videos.

 

[PlutosUnDr8d]

I was just watching the podcast and our thread made it into Jackie's Top Ten list! How exciting! Thanks to all who have contributed and made this a positive place. And thanks so much Jackie for sharing our thread! It meant a lot!

Thanks for sharing--I just listened to it and heard the discussion. Great to have such helpful Dis people being supportive and encouraging!

 

[TwoLittlePrincesses]

Just wanted to share an amazing resource I found for those dealing with anxiety and panic. DARE: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks Fast. It's an excellent book that has really helped me!

 

[SDSorority]

I want to resurrect this thread. I have been planning for our upcoming September trip and it's causing me to feel anxiety. A little back-story...

DH and I went to WDW in 2011 (after going almost every year since 2006) and that trip in particular was VERY anxiety inducing. I'm talking daily panic attacks. I can't exactly put my finger on WHY I was having panic episodes, because up until that point I had loved going to WDW.

Fast forward to our trip in 2013. Because of the panic I experienced in 2011, that trip was tough. It was BETTER than 2011, but I still had panic attacks a couple of times. At least it wasn't daily.

We went with family in 2015 and I had a few panic episodes but mostly because of the stress of traveling with others...

Don't get me wrong- I LOVE Disney World. We are going back in September, but just planning the trip right now is making me all panicky again. I don't know why, other than its putting my mind in the place where I experienced panic in the past? Any tips for overcoming this kind of "situational" anxiety? I'm not even there yet and it's already happening

 

[kandb]

I think with anxiety, the anticipation and self-obsession with it, makes it actually happen. I think a lot of people almost "program" themselves to anxiety by being scared of getting the anxiety. I don't like to fly and I know if I start obsessing about it, it will make me anxious. What I do, is not even let myself think about it. It's kind of like changing your total focus on what you will allow your brain to think about. I don't know if I am explaining this right, but I guess is my point is don't let your self obsess about it. I have had anxiety at the parks and just know I have to get thru it and do something to change my focus. I have a few games on my phone, I play them until the anxiety leaves. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Travis B]

I want to resurrect this thread. I have been planning for our upcoming September trip and it's causing me to feel anxiety. A little back-story...

DH and I went to WDW in 2011 (after going almost every year since 2006) and that trip in particular was VERY anxiety inducing. I'm talking daily panic attacks. I can't exactly put my finger on WHY I was having panic episodes, because up until that point I had loved going to WDW.

Fast forward to our trip in 2013. Because of the panic I experienced in 2011, that trip was tough. It was BETTER than 2011, but I still had panic attacks a couple of times. At least it wasn't daily.

We went with family in 2015 and I had a few panic episodes but mostly because of the stress of traveling with others...

Don't get me wrong- I LOVE Disney World. We are going back in September, but just planning the trip right now is making me all panicky again. I don't know why, other than its putting my mind in the place where I experienced panic in the past? Any tips for overcoming this kind of "situational" anxiety? I'm not even there yet and it's already happening

If you're comfortable with it, talk to your Dr. about getting some Xanax or something. It definitely helps with the general anxiety and panic attacks, and just knowing that you have it as an option might make you feel better and more comfortable. Otherwise, breathing is always key, taking breaks in quiet places..

 

[andiraye]

Other than medical intervention, the thing I think helps most is meditation. It just helps quiet the mind. Once you've been practicing for a while you can switch over to meditation mode whenever you feel panic coming on. It works for me, anyway.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

Don't get me wrong- I LOVE Disney World. We are going back in September, but just planning the trip right now is making me all panicky again. I don't know why, other than its putting my mind in the place where I experienced panic in the past? Any tips for overcoming this kind of "situational" anxiety? I'm not even there yet and it's already happening

I have always found having somethign to fidget with helps me I do not have panic attacks though just generealized anxiety disorder. I use a worry stone for grounding to stave off anxiety.
I got it from this place since it has all types of stones:
http://www.themagickalcat.com/Gemstone-Worry-Stone-Snowflake-Obsidian-p/cs-wssnob.htm

 

[momimouse27]

This is a great thread. My daughter has some anxiety issues that she takes Xanax for and I have had several panic attacks in the last couple of years. I found it interesting that you(OP) mentioned stomach issues setting off your attacks. I thought I must be crazy because this is what happens to set me off! I had a heart attack in 2012, and when I first began having the panic attacks I thought it was my heart, so it became a cycle. But they usually began when I ate too much and became short of breath. I got looked at, realized my issues were not my heart, and now I can many times talk myself out of panicking, or at least get through with a quiet place and deep breaths. But for some reason, stomach problems can bring them on. Its weird to me.