mimimischief said:I want to fully enjoy my disney experience and plan to start slowly, perhaps tea cups and take it from there. It's calming to see others have similar anxities as i do. I plan to relax poolside at POR. I'm traveling Oct.8-15, cant wait
"! You are not alone! 
I too used to be a thrill rider until my 50's & menopause set in. Now I have panic attacks when I least expect one. I have curtailed some of my riding like Space Mountain and Spaceship Earths - rides I know trigger me. In June ds14 and I had a great visit except for 'Soarin - I had a major one on that and kept my eyes closed tightly for most of it. DS loved the ride so afterwards I waited for him in the waiting area. Xanax makes me sleepy also. A margarita at lunch or a glass of wine has helped tremendously though. But for now I just try to avoid what I know will do me in. I will say, for me at least, that just being able to talk about it when it is happening and not suffering in silence has helped a lot. Good luck to all my panic pals.
MamaQuack said:Gosh this thread has made me feel better
Laugh O. Grams said:She used to do the same as you "talk" to herself as she went over. She'd even insist on turning off the radio so she could hear herself say the words. After driving over every bridge and through every tunnel in Manhattan for the last couple years (there's no other way out), she is great these days, no symptoms, but for an occational "twinge" from time to time while going over, kind of like butterflies in her stomach, on rainy days. She rocks!!
disneyfan3 said:I had my first panic attack while I was at the haunted mansion in the shrinking room. I have been in that room a thousand times at least and it has never bothered me but then I thought what if the doors didn't open? It was really hot that day and we were packed in like sardines and then that ghost yells...."and there is no way out!" ...yeah..thank you for adding to my anxiety!I have never taken any medication yet but I use tricks like breathing deeply and letting the air out slowly or I drink water or I talk to my kids. You do have power over your brain...it just takes practice and the more you practice your brain the easier it becomes. Usually once you have had an attack the fear is always there for the next one. But once you conquer your fear by talking yourself out of it then your fear lessens as time goes by. I was told to tell yourself that no one has ever died from anxiety. I look at it like a contraction. I am riding the wave and now I am coming out of it. Don't fight it too much...just go with it. Getting mad and I mean really mad like ok whatever happens happens...I am tired of this...it will usually go away. I don't like elevators but I will go on them. I seem to do better when I am in control of the situation. If I know I am free to leave at any time, then I am fine. I had to leave honey I shrunk the audience. It was embarrassing because the kids are like where are you going? Someone told me that panicky people have it in their genes and there is something wrong with their brains because they perceive the "fight or flight" wrong. Their adrenaline gets pumped up unnecessarily over little issues like riding over a bridge when most people don't have a problem. Their brains know when there is really a danger coming and their adrenaline kicks in at the proper time but panicky brains set off the adrenaline at the wrong times. It is within our control though. The brain is like a muscle and it can be exercised and trained to think the proper way. I know people that used to think negative but now think positive because they trained themselves. I am not saying that medication doesn't have its place. Some people have it severe and need it. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a plane or ship. Does xanax help with nausea as well as anxiety? I have never taken it before. Is it easy to get hooked on it? Sorry so longwinded but glad this wonderful thread came up. You are not alone
DISorburst said:To all that suffers from panic attacks: A little story and a little advise.
I experienced my first panic attack while I was driving. I have come to figure out that the reason why I was having them is because I was anxious to get home and sitting in traffic would aggrevate me. I just wanted to post to this discussion and share my experience. I have learned that it is mind over matter. If I have an anxiety attack (which is very, very rare now), I simply go for a walk and tell myself that I have left my attack behind. I know it sounds funny but it actually works. A friend of my taught me this technique. Whatever the technique, you have to convince yourself that it will go away and will not last. Another tip I have is when I knew I was putting myself in a situation where I thought I may have an attack, I would listen to a CD called Enya (also good to listen to if you can't fall asleep). This CD is very relaxing. The key is is to get the fear out of your head. If you believe in yourself, you CAN control it to the point were you will not have to deal with it so frequently, or maybe even never. Take control of your life, don't let it control you. I used to get them so bad that I could not even be around large crowds (Social Anxiety). I learned to deal with it and faced my fears. Remember, anxiety is also defined as a fear. Find that fear and conquer it. I know it sounds easier said than done but you must have faith in your capabilities. Someone prior to this post stated that they had to do some soul search and that, my friends, is a great method (also good for your health).
When I first had anxiety attacks, I had no one to talk to about it. Everyone thought I was going crazy. I did ALOT of research and tried different Rx's. I stopped using the meds and made a decision to conquer my fears and gain control of my life. I also came to the reality that the meds were only a temporary solution and I had to find a life long solution. Now, I'm not critizing anyone who takes meds, but just trying to let you know that only you can control what you feel and how you feel about situations.
Just have faith in yourself and know that you're not the only one, perhaps at that same moment, that is going through the exact same thing you are. Remember, there are many people to talk to and you're not alone. Knowing that you're not exactly crazy, is a calming feeling in itself!
whitneyv said:To all those sufferers who will be taking their first trip to WDW since starting to have attacks - WE CAN DO IT!! I'm going to start off slow (going to Epcot on my first day and I'm going to avoid Mission Space!) and just see how I feel. It's amazing how many of us suffer in silence - thinking that others probably see us as "crazy
Several people have mentioned taking Xanax - I usually take this before a plane trip but it makes me sleepy, which is fine on a plane but not too good in WDW. Any meds that won't make you drowsy?
Also, how is Soarin' for panic? Many threads report that it is calm and gentle.
Oh, that's just too funny. Now I'll probably have the same reaction! 
