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Is it normal to find it hard to breathe when you are in an elevator?

11 Answers
Last Updated: 08/13/2018 at 9:06am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Tracy-Kate Teleke, PsyD, M.A., LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

I assist adults and couples in CA experiencing relationship challenges and interpersonal struggles including anxiety, depression, and a myriad of other life challenges.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
April 7th, 2015 8:27pm
To an extent, if you suffer from claustrophobia for example you might feel like being in that confined space makes it feel like you can't breathe.
MadilynRose
July 17th, 2015 7:46am
It might be that you're just experiencing some anxiety :) Shortness of breath in elevators is quite normal, and lots of people experience it. The good thing is that elevators are extremely safe, they have to be, they have to meet all sorts of requirements and such. They're safe, and the ride will be over before you know it!!
EnchantedPepper
April 24th, 2015 2:22pm
It sounds like you could be struggling with claustrophobia if you're finding it hard to breathe when in an elevator. Being surrounded by other people in a confined space is anxiety provoking sometimes. The best thing to do is to focus on your breathing by taking deep breaths and remember that the feeling won't last.
Anonymous
September 21st, 2015 12:51am
An elevator is a enclosed space so many people may experience nervousness and shortness of breath due to the fact that it's a small space.
Em
September 22nd, 2015 4:49am
If you experience panic attacks and anxiety, it could be very possible that you'd experience shortness of breath when in an enclosed space, like an elevator. So yeah, normal. Trying to regulate your breath by deepening it or practicing an on-the-go mindfulness exercise during stressful situations like that could be very efficient in overcoming that specific situation. Hope this helps!
Thewholepicture
November 13th, 2017 6:29pm
It will normally mean you have an anxiety or a fear of elevators/enclosed spaces an often useful tool is to do 7/11 breathing where you breathe in for 7 seconds and breathe out for 11 seconds. This method will make sure you can relax and think clearly without panicking.
PRUNE4BEE
August 18th, 2015 2:30pm
Yes i think it is. I usually experience this and perhaps its because i suffer from anxiety however i feel dizzy at times.
Louisey77
September 22nd, 2015 10:15pm
sometimes when there's other people in an elevator I try to breathe really quietly because I'm anxious of people hearing me and then I get short of breath, so yes it's normal in my opinion.
HereForYou001
November 23rd, 2015 8:29pm
No. It could mean that you are claustrophobic. You are scared of confined spaces. You could ask an elder.
cuddlyDay48
November 18th, 2017 10:33pm
It's most likely triggered by the fear of being in an elevator..if not maybe its just too hot...
softCandy87
August 13th, 2018 9:06am
It’s very normal, a lot of people feel scared about something, which is ok, like some people can breath when they have a spider on their foot

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