Claustrophobia
How do you deal with claustrophobia? I hate elevators, I have anxiety even in a car wash, and I have never been on an airplane, but I have to go on one in a few months, but I am so scared. My husband and I are going on vacation to Mexico, but I am soooo scared to be stuck on the airplane .. even for a few hours. How do you manage this? I cannot deal with small spaces.
I am the same I will always use the stairs no matter how high. Surprisingly I was ok in an airplane but haven't been on a plane in a while
I have never been on a plane and I am so scared. I feel suffocated in an elevator. I went in a car wash today .. I felt like I was gonna pass out b/c it gets dark w/the washers over the car and u have no control to move ur car .. I never leave my room dark at night. I always keep the TV on .. I sound like a nutcase maybe, but .. I can't help it!
Not at all! Is there anything you can do to take your mind off it like listen to music or think about something you enjoy doing. I went for CBT recently and it helped me to look at it differently and I understood more about how the brain works
I didn't know I had this issue .. I have seizures/epilepsy already, but then I realized I have had an issue w/heights and spaces since I was a kid and I was trying to figure out the term. I could never go on the big rides at Six Flags or Door County (I'm in Wisconsin) .. only the little ferriswheels or kid rides. But today, I went through the car wash and that was it. The big wipers overlapped the car and made it completely dark and I freaked out. I didn't tell my husband, but I just knew sumthing wasn't right. Space, complete darkness, and heights disturb me, plus I have epilepsy, so is that a trigger?
I have had claustrophobia from a young age. I was recently diagnosed with a nervous system disorder and have non-epileptic seizures. I have forced myself to go in elevators but I have to be with only the person I'm with can't have anyone else in there. I always freak out. I try to tell myself everything is ok. Have you tried distracting yourself?
I've had epilepsy since I was 15. I'm gonna be 30 in August. I had surgery for my seizures in 2005 .. my memory and concentration and attention span is destroyed, but now I only have black outs (partial seizures). The claustrophobia I never assumed was an issue b/c I don't travel much and it wasn't progressing until the past few years. As for you, they say "non-epileptic"? w/e kind of seizure it is, all my heart goes out to you. I've had every kind of seizure imaginable. I hope u take care of that b4 anything b/c I've hurt myself while having a seizure.
Thank you that means a lot. I wish you all the best. It is like anepileptic seizure but there is nothing damaging. They can last a fewminsto 5 hours I've had one for. ive hit my head a few times as I've blacked out. It can happen at anytime without warning. They are trying to figure out triggers but it keeps changing
Yea that stuff is not a joke. I was fired once b/c I had a seizure at work. I always told the people at the interview, I have epilepsy but I am capable of working a full time job. That particular job I got a lawyer and got it back lol. Don't let it hold you back. It may discourage you, but I figured out, you got to be strong. I fix cars for a living. Since the surgery, like I said, it screwed up my concentration and attention span, so I found fixing cars an option. If one car gets frustrating .. I go to the next one. My favorite car is a Trans Am, hence my name. Don't ever let anyone discourage you of your capabilities just b/c of having seizures. I'd say fuck em! That pisses me off so much ..
What!? That's awful how could they do that it's terrible. You were honest with them from the beginning. That sounds like an awesome job. Unfortunately I'm not working at the moment. I was working for my local newspaper in advertising and the doctors said it was work related stress that brought all this on
Maybe you could try sleeping on the plane if you can't travel another way.
Might sound silly but do you try closing your eyes? I get claustraphobic in certain situations particularly shopping... I can't stand food shopping with people everywhere and them brushing past you or blocking you, just freaks me out and the only way I have foujnd to calm myself down is to close my eyes and wait for a few minutes when I start panicking.... Not sure about the plane though, i struggle with them a lot too, but try getting seat on the aisle so you can at least get up and walk down the aisles if you want to and go to the toilet etc.
hi i am 42 year old man with no history of any traumatic incident in my life. i use to be a frequent flyer until 3 years back. and one day i felt giddy while travelling in a subway train. i thought the palpatation was due to some heart problem. so got all checks done and it was all fine. then constantly i started having panic attacks in subway train even if the train stopped midway for 10 sec. then i discovered that i could not use elevators, airplanes and not even stand in a large hall but locked from outside. i met many doctors and was told i am having claustrophobia. i have tried different kind of homeopathic+ ayurvedic treatment but nothing worked. now i am on medication [MonBon removed medication name and dosage] but it makes my brain numb. i am so sick of it. if anyone has been cured from it please let me know [MonBon removed contact information].
thanks in advance
I've had claustrophobia for at least 15 years now. Some situations don't bother me at all (most days I have no problem taking the subway or going in an elevator) and others have me breaking out into horrible panic attacks where I feel like I have no control over my mind, body, and the space around me.
For myself, I have found that my claustrophobia tends to act up when I'm too hot. Sometimes certain spaces don't affect me, but if the temperature is turned up in that same space, it's very likely that I will panic. I would suggest wearing a light t-shirt on the plane as well as having a sweatshirt and a blanket on hand so that you feel as comfortable as possible if you're feeling too hot or too cold. Also be sure to have a water bottle on hand make sure the fan above you works.
I've also found that my attacks are worse in unfamiliar places such as when I travel. I find that lots of communication with whoever I'm with is the best thing for this. I always let them know where I am at all times, especially if I'm going to a public bathroom alone in case I panic and think I've locked myself inside the stall (I did that three times on my last vacation).
If you need to use the washroom on the plane, I might suggest asking your husband to stand outside the door in case you need any assistance with the door. As much as it's nice to have a beautiful view out the window, I also recommend requesting an aisle seat so you don't feel like you're trapped by the person sitting next to you.
As soon as I feel an attack coming on I try to control my breathing and slow it down. I close my eyes and try to ground myself and talk myself out of it. I tell myself that everything is going to be ok and people take the elevator, get on the subway, go in sports cars, or whatever it may be every day. I also like to do something with my hands so having an elastic band or a piece of jewelry to fiddle with can sometimes help.
I hope this helps anyone who may also be dealing with this. I'm so embarrassed of my claustrophobia and wish I could overcome it. I feel like my friends and family don't quite understand and think I'm just being over-dramatic or something. I would love any advice or tricks anyone may have!
