ENcourage Connection

Well, looks like I'm headed to Disney World for the first time in 23 years! Can't wait, but a little apprehensive as this is the first trip I've taken this far in 20 years. I've been 3-4 hours away and do fine, but this is 8 hours away and it's for a week. Any tips for vacation for recovering agoraphobic? Thanks!

• Re: Any tips for a vacation? 18:56:26 09/19/2009 Jeremy (2)
  • Wow!!! 06:00:25 09/23/2009 Anna Banana (1)
    • Re: Wow!!! 18:47:00 09/24/2009 Jeremy (0)
• Re: Any tips for a vacation? 17:56:24 09/18/2009 meg (0)
• Re: Any tips for a vacation? 06:35:53 09/13/2009 Kate_1 (0)
• Re: Any tips for a vacation? 13:05:42 09/12/2009 Vita Luna (1)
  • Re: Any tips for a vacation? 15:53:14 09/12/2009 Jeremy (0)
• Re: Any tips for a vacation? 06:34:40 09/12/2009 Anna Banana (1)
  • Re: Any tips for a vacation? 15:55:56 09/12/2009 Jeremy (0)

In Reply to: Any tips for a vacation? posted by Jeremy on September 11, 2009 at 18:23:35:

Okay, just wanted to thank everyone for their tips! They helped more than you know! I just got back from 5 full days in Walt Disney World in Florida! I haven't been in 22 years! It was unreal how good I felt and how little I let anxiety get in my way. I hit every park, I hit every ride I wanted to ride, and even rode some I'd been afraid of before agoraphobia (Splash Mountain, Test Track, Big Thunder Mountain!)! Just a GREAT time! And now that I've conquered another peak, it's time to set new goals! Wow! I just never, ever, ever thought I could even go there, let alone have the best time ever! I was actually housebound for 2 years, town bound for 15, and bound to a 3 hour away region for the last 5 years. This blows that barrier away, from 3 hours to 8 hours! Actually, it means I can travel again! There's always hope! I had given up about ten years ago and just accepted that I would never beat it and I would never travel again. But you can. I did! I still can't believe it!

In Reply to: Re: Any tips for a vacation? posted by Jeremy on September 19, 2009 at 18:56:26:

That's just great, Jeremy! I'm happy you had such a nice time, and you could even get in the rides! that's something that I just can't do since my agoraphobia. It's like my adrenaline is definitely crazy, despite me feeling lots better.

I'm very happy for you, feel proud! :-)

In Reply to: Wow!!! posted by Anna Banana on September 23, 2009 at 06:00:25:

Yeah, I was worried I wasn't going to ride anything, too, but then, I was so pumped to be there, I just started and never stopped! I even rode the monorail and the boats to the resorts. I was worried about riding the buses at first, but then I got used to it and really enjoyed it. First REAL vacation in 22 years, and it was actually fun for 6 full days. I didn't think it was beatable, but you can overcome your feelings and have fun on vacation!

In Reply to: Any tips for a vacation? posted by Jeremy on September 11, 2009 at 18:23:35:

I would tend to agree that coming here and talking about it as the days lead up to your trip is a good idea.
I think it really helped Anna and Debbie.
I know when major events happen in my life, coming here and writing about it has helped enormously.

Hope you have a wonderful trip.
I haven't been there since I was 18....20 years for me too!

In Reply to: Any tips for a vacation? posted by Jeremy on September 11, 2009 at 18:23:35:

Hi Jeremy!

When I drive to my in laws (5 hours away) I like to stop often so I can chill and get my bearings. Whomever is in the car with me is told in advance to chill as well :) Filming is a good idea, it lets you see things through a lens which gives us perspective at times. I bring lots of unsweetened snacks - and I watch DVDs on my portable. Deep breathing exercises.

Also accepting whatever it is you are feeling.

If you have a chance, you might want to share with us still dealing with agoraphobia on how your recovery work in the past 2 years went - what did you do, how you worked your way up to travel...I'd certainly enjoy that read :)

Also, have fun!

In Reply to: Any tips for a vacation? posted by Jeremy on September 11, 2009 at 18:23:35:

First, Enjoy!!!!

Second, If you start to feel overwhelmed, then take some quiet time to recharge your batteries. I don't know your energy levels, but when anxious types get overstimulated, we tend to crash and burn if we don't take a few moments to just chill out for a bit.

That's all I got for ya!

:) Dawn

In Reply to: Re: Any tips for a vacation? posted by Vita Luna on September 12, 2009 at 13:05:42:

Thanks! There seems to be a lot of areas in Disney that lets you stop and recharge for a bit. I'm glad you reminded me about the overstimulation. I know that sometimes I do crash and burn after a particularly busy day. Thanks so much for the advice! I'll let y'all know how it goes!

Jer :)

In Reply to: Any tips for a vacation? posted by Jeremy on September 11, 2009 at 18:23:35:

Hi Jeremy.

It's great that you're going on vacation! I think the most important thing is to think positive. It's natural to feel aprehensive and anxious on the days before, but try to tell yourself that it's only anticipatory anxiety, and that nothing wrong is going to happen.

You'll have fun, you'll enjoy the place, you'll feel lots stronger and alive when you come back. And all the bad things that come to your mind on the days before are just the "bad habit" of anxiety. After such a long time of having been trapped under these negative thoughts, it's impossible not to have them from time to time. But just don't give them any importance.

Other things... it helps me a lot to bring something like a journal to write down in case I need to, and anything to distract my mind like an mp3 or a book, etc. Usually I just end talking to my partner, but it feels better to know there are things I can do in case my negative thoughts get stronger. Also if I ever start to feel panicky I try breathing exercises and they work.

But the most important thing is thinking positive. Everytime I've been on holidays since my agoraphobia, it has been so much nicer and easier than I thought. After all, you're going to a place that's "clean" of anxiety, a new place that keeps your mind busy with positive experiences and sights, and your serotonin is high, and you just relax and have fun.

So think positive, and enjoy yourself! :-)

Anna

In Reply to: Re: Any tips for a vacation? posted by Anna Banana on September 12, 2009 at 06:34:40:

Thanks so much for the advice! I'm bringing all KINDS of stuff to keep me occupied, but I think the camera will be best. I'm going to try and film a lot and keep a good record of the trip. I'm trying to stay positive and I know I will be when I get there. It's Disney World, after all! I'm going to write down your advice and take it with me. I need all the confidence I can get! Ha! I feel like this is a BIG step in totally overcoming this. Thanks again,

Jer :)