Managing Mental Illness on First Cruise?

Is it possible to be both claustrophobic AND agoraphobic???

I don’t believe OP’s question is true, but you can have both.

They might be polyamorous - that might have to depend on whether they love one another. But to the extent OP used the terms "husband" and "wife" they are, in fact, polygamous , which simply means having more than one spouse.

 

Of course this whole exercise might be the product of a bored troll, who might be unattached, meaning that neither term would apply.

I think your last sentence could have a ring of truth ?;p

Is it possible to be both claustrophobic AND agoraphobic???

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Why not? And, if you had been afraid of everything ie: omniphobic, getting it down to just being claustrophobic and agoraphobic (while perhaps retaining a bit of your veritaphobia) could be seen as a Great Leap Forward.

Not going is not an option.

IF the husband and wife did truly book a cruise without regard to the OP's fears ........ MUCH bigger problem of respect than "how to deal with fear of ______________".

Stay home.

I honestly do not care about your lifestyle. (to each his/her own). I just don't understand the question. Do you want us all to talk you into going or not going. I don't get it.

I honestly do not care about your lifestyle. (to each his/her own). I just don't understand the question. Do you want us all to talk you into going or not going. I don't get it.

You raise a good question here: just what is OP really asking? Maybe it is not to get us talking OP into going or not going - perhaps it is just to get us talking.

See if you can watch some old reruns of Love Boat.

Everything always works out on a cruise.

I took my brother on his first cruise in 2016 and he has anxiety issues and had some of the same concerns you do. I would suggest if you’re going to visit your doctor and discuss this with them and be prepared with some type of medication for anxiety to help in case you need it. I can tell you that he rather enjoyed the cruise and while he did have to take some medication when we got on board once he was on there for a bit he was fine.

If you don’t want to eat with other people I would suggest you contact the cruise line to see if you can get a table for just your group that is what I did. If not as other stated there are buffets and room service that you could utilize instead.

You may not love being aboard but you may enjoy the ports enough to make the sea days worth it. I hope you have a wonderful time if you go.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I honestly do not care about your lifestyle. (to each his/her own). I just don't understand the question. Do you want us all to talk you into going or not going. I don't get it.

Sometimes people with mental illness don't want or need you to "fix" anything. They just want and need someone to listen.

They don't need someone to belittle them or minimize their experience.

I don't drink. I don't do casinos. I don't do the group activities I think you're thinking of. I don't burn, but I like sitting out in the sun as much as a vampire. And I love cruising.

 

Talk to the maitre d about your issues and see if they can put you on a 4 top table by yourselves. Or e-mail access@carnival.com and ask about being in a private table so they can put it in ahead of time. Room service works too. Or get your family to grab food at the buffet and bring it down to the room for you (we do this).

 

I don't think even Interior cabins are all that small. I've been in smaller hotel rooms in NYC for example. But an ocean view or balcony would help a ton.

 

Bring a Kindle. Or watch tv in the room. If you can do CrossFit, there's likely a few small group activities you may want to try as well.

I feel that your comments are extremely helpful and right on point! I do think that perhaps the TS (Thread Starter) could check with their doctor to see if there is something they could take to lessen the anxiety.

Sometimes people with mental illness don't want or need you to "fix" anything. They just want and need someone to listen.

They don't need someone to belittle them or minimize their experience.

What are you talking about??? Show me where I belittled anyone. I was simply asking WHAT the question was. It is your problem if you read something into that. Not mine. Fix something??? Where in the world do I even IMPLY that???

Would be interesting if OP comes back to address some of the suggestions.

Hello all, OP here. I didn't realize I had so many replies to this thread. They stopped coming in my email.

I am making a doctor's appointment on Monday to address my anxiety, especially since it is getting worse the closer we get to the cruise. I mentioned my polyamory relationship because one of the reasons my wife is so excited about the cruise is that we'll finally be exchanging our vows (privately, not officially - we realize the legal issue there). I've actually never seen "Sister Wives". And yes, it is possible to have agoraphobia and claustrophobia at the same time. I am fearful of leaving my house, and I am fearful of crowded/confined spaces. I'm even afraid of ordering room service because I'm afraid of the phone. I wish I was joking. I wish I was neurotypical. I'm not. I've been suicidal since I was five years old and it's a bloody "miracle" that I'm still alive.

Anyway, my husband is looking forward to eating and drinking himself into a coma. My wife will most likely be bored without me because of this. At this point I can only hope that I come down with a fever before we leave.

(My original post was mainly for suggestions for quiet activities to do and how to avoid people, but it got bogged down in my anxiety about posting.)

Grab an ocean view or balcony room to avoid some of the issues. The rooms are definitely large enough- think hotel rooms. I would not do an interior though, I did one once and felt like I was in a box.

Download some books/movies to a tablet/reader. The solarium (adults only pool area) is a great, relaxing, quiet place to sit and read. Some of the ships also have a library where you can sit- sometimes at a window. Poolside and upper decks will often have lounge chairs away from the pool that are quieter and not so crowded. Some of the bars don't attract as many people and you can often find one that isn't crowded.

The ships are large enough that you can generally walk through it without bumping into other people. The only issues would be getting on/off at ports. I would suggest either staying on board- really quiet time to enjoy the boat- or not planning to get off until you have been docked for an hour or two and get back early.

Meals- you can go to the main dining room, it will be like a restaurant. You can go to the buffet- if it is too crowded grab your plate and take it back to your room. You can order room service- some lines have a fee.