toddv

That is not funny. It is tragic. And you are cruel for laughing about it.

uh oh, I guess that means I'm cruel too!

Todd

Cruisin Around--what you said sounds really familiar to me.

To all with (or suspect they have) panic disorder or a closely-related anxiety disorder:

It's common and is caused by serotonin imbalance. The fear attaches itself to certain situations--if it happens a few times in a specific place, for example, your subconscious learns to become afraid of that place. If you then avoid the place, the fear then attaches itself to something else instead. On the flip side, if you put yourself in the situations you fear, it drives the fear away.

Medicines of various types help--Zoloft-Xanax combo is a good one, but the exact medicine depends on the exact situation, and a professional must decide that.

The cost of a psychiatrist is worth the result. Forget the stigma--people who would judge you for that are worthless, and most won't.

Pressure and tension often bring it on, and relaxation can be the cure. Or just letting go and really partying. Hence the usefulness of a cruise!!!

Note that much of what I said applies to depression as well--they are related.

Good luck!

Todd

Hi, lbandbuggy,

I'd like to hear how it goes when you get back.

In my case (and hope it is the same with you), the cruise was a treatment rather than a cause!

I did some things on the cruise that scared me at first (like the Discover SCUBA--was worried about panicking 25 feet under water, but it was so calm and relaxing down there, it was just the opposite once I remembered to breathe :) ). In my experience (easier said than done sometimes) being bold and jumping into scary situations actually helps in the long run!

The only big thing I haven't overcome yet is the fear of flight. I am still nervous flying down and back. I can only hope after lots more flights, that will go away, as I avoid cruising from ports of departure farther than Miami for that reason, so far.

Lots of luck!

Todd

I am going to look at it is exciting, and not worthy of my anxiety. Although I have never been seasick before, even on a catamaran trip, I have never been on anything this long before, or this far out in the ocean. I did get the prescription for the patch, and although I have a fear of taking medication (anything that I have not taken before) I am going to start it the day before. I have Dramamine, which I have taken before, just in case I have side effects from the patch, and want to discontinue it. I purposefully picked this itinerary b/c I of the 2 stops in Florida - if I really need to, I can get a car and drive home! I know that sounds ridiculous, but in order to not panic, I always need to have an "out". If all goes well, I will definitely try again somewhere more exotic!