Travel can often be a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone and to face your fears. This experience can unlock specific thought patterns and emotions that, while some may consider it irrational, to you it feels all too real.
The result of these experiences can be instant anxiety, and sometimes can lead to panic attacks. The physical symptoms of anxiety may include a racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, chest or abdominal discomfort, trembling.
The first step is acknowledging your anxiety and what your trigge is. Phobias can result from all kinds of places and surroundings, so preparing for potential encounters on your cruise is vital to make sure that you enjoy your holiday.
Below are some phobias that can affect your onboard experience.
Aquaphobia
Aquaphobia is a fear of water, and being on a cruise means that you will be exposed to enormous bodies of water. The fear and anxiety can relate to fears of drowning, being out of control of the ship, or just fear of the unknown of what exists beneath the surface.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is best known as a fear of leaving the house, but some forms of agoraphobia can be triggered by particular circumstances where you may feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed. With the fear of feeling safe in a public space, a cruise may trigger some of the phobias due to the crowds, standing in line and enclosed spaces. Travelling on a cruise includes long lines to embark and disembark the cruise ship, small cabins, and the knowledge that you are on a ship for long periods of time.
Triggers could also be caused by the daily activities such as being in the middle of crowds at dancing classes, shore excursions and going to the theatre. Additionally, agoraphobia is often related to panic disorder. The self-effacing understanding that you are “trapped” on the ship in the middle of the ocean may be sufficient to trigger a panic attack.
Claustrophobia
Although many cruise lines take pride in offering public areas with all-encompassing, open seascapes and sky-high atriums, staterooms are exceptionally small with constricted, thin passages.
An inside cabin is the most cost effective option, but does not offer a window. Subject to your staterooms location on the cruise ship, it may possibly be a long stroll to the nearest open deck or large public area. Large crowds will gather during shows, embarking and disembarking, shore excursions and buffet lines.
Social Phobia
Many aspects of cruising inspire a social experience and environment; with shared dinner seating arrangements, daily group activities and many shared common areas.
Finding yourself in these scenarios, guests are likely to be social and expect you to join in conversation or discussions. Most of the activities are hands-on in nature, motivating you to dance, sing, join a conga line or answer trivia questions.
If you take a shore excursion, you will find yourself on a tender to get ashore or a bus with 20 or 30 other guests, most of whom are enthusiastic and want to get to know the others in the group.
Hypochondriasis/Nosophobia
Whether you suffer from Hypochondriasis (fear of illness) or Nosophobia (fear of contracting a disease), being in close proximity with fellow passengers for days or weeks could trigger your phobia. It seem like that we cannot turn on the news and read news stories online these days without hearing about the most recent outbreak of Norovirus, is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in humans. Influenza also spread easily when people are in close contact.
Other Phobias
Being out in the wild ocean, especially when cruising through waters through areas like the South Pacific during monsoon season, you’ll often witness dramatic storms and lightning. This could trigger Astraphobia – a fear of thunder and lightning. Coulrophobia, a fear of clowns, may be triggered by some of the shows or activities on-board, and Nyctophobia, fear of the dark, may induce fear when staying in an inside cabin with no natural light available.
These are not the only phobias that can trigger anxiety or panic attack, but some of the main ones. If you can relate to any of the above, it does not mean that cruising is not an option for you. There are many treatments out there that can help with dealing with your fears and anxiety, and your enjoyment will all come down to preparation. Visit your local general practitioner for the best advice and treatment.
