Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
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Post by brghteys1216 on Dec 29, 2014 21:43:45 GMT -5
Alright, so I'm trying to convince my friend Alisha to do her first 'Roo next summer, and every year she decides not to join me because of her anxiety. Does anyone else have moderate anxiety, and if so, how do you cope with it at Bonnaroo? (she doesn't use any anxiety meds, or drink, or any drugs for that matter) I figured maybe I could link her to this thread and she could read the responses. She's also never been to a music festival before. I really think this would be an amazing experience for her.
Post by downonthefarm on Dec 29, 2014 22:24:30 GMT -5
Stay to the back and stay together. Avoid the thickest, and likely most anxiety inducing crowds. Don't micromanage the whole festival, planning each show to the minute. Get to know your campsite neighbors. Go to inforoo brunch and meet some people. You will see them again and it will put you at ease. Get to know your way around the festival. Stay hydrate and get at least a little rest during the weekend. Don't leave her alone until you are both sure she is comfortable. Get to know what sets her anxiety off. Avoid those types of situations. These things will go a long way to reducing bonnaroo anxiety.
If her anxiety is keeping her from doing things in life she wants to do, maybe she should consult a doctor about how to approach this type of event.. Not to say that the advice here will not be valuable -- I depend on this site for my Bonnaroo planning. But, a professional may be able to provide more substantive guidance to make sure her health is protected.
I've never been to bonnaroo, but I go to lots of different festivals. I have anxiety and panic attacks. I only really have issues at festivals when i can't see and it's too packed or I feel claustrophobic. I usually try and get pretty close at shows and fests by having a schedule mapped out. if I start wigging, I usually try to make space around me, or I just get out of the crowded area. Sometimes my friends leave with me, sometimes they don't.
I also don't take meds or drink (especially at fests) in general or to control it. For me, it's never been such an issue that I felt that I had to leave the festival, but I know my triggers and how to handle them. Plus, all my fest friends that I travel/go to shows know about my issues too.
My suggestion is just make sure you have meeting places setup, a daily itinerary, and discuss if she will wants a friend to get out the crowd with, or not if the situation arises.
I would classify my anxiety as moderate, but Bonnaroo isn't really the sort of thing that is triggering for me. Realistically, it depends on what sets her on edge. I find - even as someone who doesn't really partake in any illicits - that I'm less in my head at Bonnaroo than I am anywhere else.
I also work in mental health, so if she has questions, I'll do my best to answer what I can.
I know you said she doesn't take meds, and maybe she doesn't want to, but I just have to say that my Roo on Prozac was much easier than my Roo before Prozac.
I would classify my anxiety as moderate, but Bonnaroo isn't really the sort of thing that is triggering for me. Realistically, it depends on what sets her on edge. I find - even as someone who doesn't really partake in any illicits - that I'm less in my head at Bonnaroo than I am anywhere else.
I also work in mental health, so if she has questions, I'll do my best to answer what I can.
You guys rock, this is already helping because now she believes me when I say everyone is nice. I just told her to sign up so she can participate in this thread.
I would classify my anxiety as moderate, but Bonnaroo isn't really the sort of thing that is triggering for me. Realistically, it depends on what sets her on edge. I find - even as someone who doesn't really partake in any illicits - that I'm less in my head at Bonnaroo than I am anywhere else.
I also work in mental health, so if she has questions, I'll do my best to answer what I can.
You guys rock, this is already helping because now she believes me when I say everyone is nice.
Just don't let her have a run in with @rorybbellows
I have moderate anxiety as well, and I find that it usually takes me a bit to break through it and just go with the flow. Usually the thing that helps the most is to just dance my fucking face off. It's a great physical outlet and really helps me let go. There's no time to get caught up in my mind when there's dancing to be done!
Wide open spaces help a lot too. There have been a few times where my mind has started racing uncontrollably, but if I force myself to just set under a tree - away from the music and sensory stimulation - I can usually get it to pass.
Post by gryphonkin on Dec 29, 2014 23:50:29 GMT -5
I have fairly serious anxiety. I'm on meds for them so it's a slightly different situation from your friend, but the advice you've gotten is good. Be willing to stay out of the major crowding with your friend and she'll probably be fine. You won't see well at the tents, but you'll hear fine. The picnic tables at the very back of What are great for headliners. You can hang back and enjoy the music without the crowding (unless it's raining, in which case, you're better off outside in the rain because it's packed in like sardines).
If your friend is anything like me, she'll get caught up enough in the music and the atmosphere to lose the worst of it. I usually only have major problems if people are being jerks around me, which rarely happens at Roo. Ease her into it. Find a band she really loves each day and see if she gets comfortable easing up closer. If she doesn't, hang back with the rest of us anxiety ridden back row seaters. We have fun too.
The other thing I would say is, even with 90k people, there's plenty of space to get your own spot at Roo. If she starts to get overwhelmed, you won't have to go back to your tent. Hit up a shade tent or a nice open spot away from a stage or (my personal favorite get away from the crowds spot), the two Cafe stages. Occasionally they're crowded but usually they aren't and you might find a new band you like as a bonus.
Post by SupeЯfuЯЯyanimal on Dec 30, 2014 4:08:13 GMT -5
Some good advise here.
It's important to remember that there is plenty of space at Roo. Anytime I start feeling anxious, I just take myself out of the crowds and relax in the back. The worse anxiety episode I had was in the pit for The National in 2014. I just told my friends what was up and walked to the side for a bit. Problem solved.
She really shouldn't let this issue keep her from coming to Roo. As she can see from this thread, a lot of long time Roo goers have this issue and we just find our own ways to handled it so it doesn't control our weekend.
Edit: If she has truly serious anxiety issues, she can get disability access. That way she can get close enough to see without that feeling of being crushed in by the crowd. Just a thought.
I developed fear of large crowds during my deployment while in the army years ago, so it's something fairly new to me, it's very difficult to go to a mall or similar places.
My first Roo was my first one and despite my fears, it went off without a hitch. What helped me personally was:
Get to know your neighbors. Stay hydrated. Being near the back is cool! You can hear the music fine and watching people hula hoop is very VERY relaxing. Try to see one really chill band each day, Rising Appalachia, Slightly Stoopid. Maybe take half a day to enjoy one of the many nature parks in the state, Tennessee is simply gorgeous! Stop by the movie and/or comedy tent, they're air conditioned =)
Also, remind her that their are thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people just like her that go every year and it's the best 4 days of the year for them
Alright, so I'm trying to convince my friend Alisha to do her first 'Roo next summer, and every year she decides not to join me because of her anxiety. Does anyone else have moderate anxiety, and if so, how do you cope with it at Bonnaroo? (she doesn't use any anxiety meds, or drink, or any drugs for that matter) I figured maybe I could link her to this thread and she could read the responses. She's also never been to a music festival before. I really think this would be an amazing experience for her.
Regardless if she has anxiety or not, I'd advise against persuading someone to attend Roo if they really don't want to. If something goes wrong or she's not enjoying the festival, it will be a real hassle for you and a strain on your relationship.
As a pp said she needs to be comfortable with her triggers and know how to manage them. Ultimately you can't be her babysitter, I just feel if I had a friend who didn't have their anxiety under control and that friend was having a really bad time/ panic attack not only would their safety be a huge concern, but I would feel so bad. it doesn't seem like she has her anxiety under control, maybe she should seek professional help.. She may need to use medication to manage her anxiety, it may help to see a dr before roo. It sounds like your a good friend and she's pretty lucky to have someone who cares.
I've been diagnosed with depression/anxiety and I've been to 'Roo twice. The first year I wasn't on meds, and last year I was on Zoloft. My advice would to anyone would be to make sure you are with someone that you are 100% comfortable with and who understands the condition completely. I also tended to make sure I had an easy exit in the crowds if I needed to go chill for a little bit. I have another friend who has anxiety, and her primary concern was being able to get out of Bonnaroo if she needed to. Once I assured her that exiting the grounds at any time is easy and that there are medical stations in every pod, she was way more relaxed.
Alright, so I'm trying to convince my friend Alisha to do her first 'Roo next summer, and every year she decides not to join me because of her anxiety. Does anyone else have moderate anxiety, and if so, how do you cope with it at Bonnaroo? (she doesn't use any anxiety meds, or drink, or any drugs for that matter) I figured maybe I could link her to this thread and she could read the responses. She's also never been to a music festival before. I really think this would be an amazing experience for her.
Regardless if she has anxiety or not, I'd advise against persuading someone to attend Roo if they really don't want to. If something goes wrong or she's not enjoying the festival, it will be a real hassle for you and a strain on your relationship.
She has been my best friend for several years, she really wants to go, but what sets her off is being away from home. I live in Florida now, and she won't come visit from the Chicago area because she is terrified of flying. She has been seeing a psychologist who has been helping her get over her travel anxiety, so now she really wants to come visit. She has always really wanted to go to Bonnaroo, but she talks herself out of it because of anxiety.
The stuff you guys are saying is really helping her! Her sister has agreed to come, and I booked a hotel room for her so she doesn't have to camp, and they can go back to the hotel anytime if she feels uncomfortable. My other friend and I will camp, and we will meet up every morning. I'm really excited!
Maybe try a smaller local fest first to see what her reaction would be
This.
Also, my brother has anxiety and my ex-girlfriend has anxiety. I never tried to force either of them to go to Roo. They just didn't feel like they could handle it and I knew that it would ruin my Roo if I was strapped to someone that might want to leave a concert at any moment.
Granted, people suffer from anxiety on a broad spectrum. Maybe your friend doesn't have it that bad and it won't be much trouble. But my position on friends with anxiety going to roo is very similar to how I advise friends that are thinking of experimenting with certain substances. You should never be pressured into putting severe strain on your mind/brain. It should be something that you want to do on your own. Going through a grueling mental experience against your will is a recipe for disaster, and for some people Bonnaroo qualifies as just that.
Just my take FWIW. Hopefully your friend comes to realize what she's been missing out on for all this time.
Post by downonthefarm on Dec 30, 2014 21:26:48 GMT -5
Maybe wait for the lineup to drop. A great lineup for her can alleviate a ton of anxiety, where as a not so killer lineup for her could make the fest a real let down. Just saying. I did presale in 2013, and got lucky with literally my favorite lineup that bonnaroo has evrr presented. If I had gotten the 2014 lineup I personally would have been bummed especially if it were followed by the 2013 lineup. But then again I don't go every year.
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Post by shakedownstreet on Jan 3, 2015 10:38:19 GMT -5
I feel another good suggestion is to not put to much pressure on her when she is there. I have anxiety - but more of the social..i fear all new people will think i'm stupid so I don't do anything type of anxiety. I find that a lot of comfort comes from feeling like you are in control of the situation or part of it. So if you all plan to stay together maybe let her take the lead on what shows she wants to see or how she wants to map out the day. If there are more than just the 2 of you going maybe let her know that it is perfectly okay if she wants to do something with one person and you want to see a different show that it is totally cool.
I think going to smaller shows is also a big help. It will make her more comfortable in that type of a crowd or environment. Also just getting her on here or on the different Roo Facebook groups might help. I've been throwing around the idea of volunteering alone (which scares the begeesus out of me) but talking to some people on there helps calm me down and edge me the direction of doing it.
Good luck! You can alway try to organize a meet-up of other who struggle and might be willing to meet up on day 1 for some pizza or something!
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