I feel your pain. I've suffered from panic disorder for about 20 years. Had my first panic attack on a cruise -- I was off the boat, getting ready for a snorkeling trip. I was alone (in a crowd of strangers), and 19 years old. But I didn't back out -- I hung tight and enjoyed the trip after all.
Since then, I've had therapy and been on medications. About 8 years ago, I finally reached the point where I need nothing on any regular basis. When confronted with severe situations (like public speaking), I will take a Xanax in advance, and I sail right through. But it's rare that I need to take anything.
You will be fine -- a key to this disorder is not letting it run your life. Once you give in and start avoiding things because of it, it will affect everything you do. Just breathe, realize nothing bad is happening. Modern cruise ships don't sink -- when have you heard of that happening? You are safe.If you feel an attack coming on, talk to your traveling companions to help distract you.
And, lucky me, I have terrible motion sickness. I wore the patch on the cruise 20 years ago, and it fixed the sickness. But I had dry mouth, and my vision blurred to the point of not being able to read my handwriting. I'm planning on just doing with Dramamine this next time (non-drowsy kind). Hope that will do it!
So, relax and enjoy. It's a big floating hotel -- nothing bad will happen. They have doctors to look out for you. Your family/friends will help you. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, so do what you feel comfortable doing. :)
anyone suffer from anxiety ?
in First Time Cruisers
Posted
I feel your pain. I've suffered from panic disorder for about 20 years. Had my first panic attack on a cruise -- I was off the boat, getting ready for a snorkeling trip. I was alone (in a crowd of strangers), and 19 years old. But I didn't back out -- I hung tight and enjoyed the trip after all.
Since then, I've had therapy and been on medications. About 8 years ago, I finally reached the point where I need nothing on any regular basis. When confronted with severe situations (like public speaking), I will take a Xanax in advance, and I sail right through. But it's rare that I need to take anything.
You will be fine -- a key to this disorder is not letting it run your life. Once you give in and start avoiding things because of it, it will affect everything you do. Just breathe, realize nothing bad is happening. Modern cruise ships don't sink -- when have you heard of that happening? You are safe.If you feel an attack coming on, talk to your traveling companions to help distract you.
And, lucky me, I have terrible motion sickness. I wore the patch on the cruise 20 years ago, and it fixed the sickness. But I had dry mouth, and my vision blurred to the point of not being able to read my handwriting. I'm planning on just doing with Dramamine this next time (non-drowsy kind). Hope that will do it!
So, relax and enjoy. It's a big floating hotel -- nothing bad will happen. They have doctors to look out for you. Your family/friends will help you. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, so do what you feel comfortable doing. :)