Claustrophobia

[MouseWife]

So....anyone here suffer from it?

I haven't been 'diagnosed' but from my reaction to the Subs/Nemo, I am thinking that I may be.

I'd love to hear any feelings/ experiences/ etc. on this.

In what other ways has it impacted your life, if you have it?

I am wondering if some things I have had issues with have anything to do with it?

And, I will check back today as much as I can for responses but as today is my only day off until next Sunday, please forgive me if I don't respond to later posts.

Thanks you guys!

[Disneyphile]

I actually get claustrophobic in small bathrooms and stalls, so I usually opt for the accessible stall if it's available.

I also get claustrophobic in cluttered cars and other small spaces that have a lot of stuff crammed into them.

[Ghoulish Delight]

For the most part I'm okay. But then, I've never been in a situation where I've truly been trapped somewhere small, not being able to get out. I've never had a problem with small spaces, but when I imagine being actually stuck somewhere confining, I could definitely see myself freaking out.

[Not Afraid]

For me it is mind over matter. If I let myself be bothered by small space, I can end up in a panic attack. But, I've learned to ignore my brain and just go with the flow. My big test was a recent MRI. But, I was able to deal with it.

[MouseWife]

Those are all things that I've experienced, as well. Disneyphile, I hate those small try on rooms that some stores have! GD~thank you for sharing that even though you haven't experienced the panic, you can imagine it. Some people can not.

NA, I agree it is mind over matter. At least, I try to keep it that way. If I think about it, that is when my heart starts to go a little faster and I start to get that flight feeling. On the subs, I just tell myself that it is only a ride, the surface is right there and I stick my face in the window, sucking up the air.

Does anyone think that my problem may also have something to do with how later in my life I have not been able to enjoy rides very much? Like ToT, I love it, am not afraid of it, but, when we are up there and I am screaming with fun, I start to feel sick.

That may not have anything to do with it but I have to ask.

Also. The reason why I am asking y'all {since I know you guys will be honest with your experiences and share, thank you!} someone asked me why I don't fly. Now, I do love road trips and haven't had a reason to fly but when I think about it, it isn't the take off or landing that freaks me out, it is being inside the plane.

Anyone have an opinion on that?

And, I've never ever flown. :blush:

[3894]

With the subs, the air blowing on your face at all times from the portholes is supposed to help claustrophia.

I tried that trick when we lived in a dinky converted garage on a Wyoming llama ranch one summer. The sleeping space had a ceiling so low that it was maybe four inches from the end of your nose. Impossible to sleep from that clawing, closed in, heart-pounding feeling.

I dragged in a fan and aimed it on us. It did help to have a constant flow of air.

[BarTopDancer]

I'm not a big fan of small spaces. Subs I can do, but I'd not be thrilled if we got stuck on them for an extended period of time. I don't do narrow caves and to much clutter really makes me feel enclosed. I also don't like driving in LA due to the tall buildings and narrow roads.

As for flying, I don't like to fly because of the mountains at 30k feet that you might crash in to. Seriously, I'm not a big fan of flying because I don't know how to fly. I'm afraid the pilot and co-pilot won't be able to fly and no one will. And I'm still not convinced that giant metal tubes should be in the air, nor am I all that convinced by the physics behind it. Tube go up, tube go down.

[Not Afraid]

My opinion is that I can let myself be afraid of lots of things if I wanted to. I can let my irrational fears rule my life or I can decide not to take them (or myself) too seriously and enjoy life. There is really only one squeamish fear I haven't been able to conquer - and that is my distaste of scorpions. But, I don't have the opportunity to experience those very often.

I went through a period of time when I was having lots of irrational fears - crowds, enclosed spaces, deep water, etc. It took a lot of mental work, but I really wanted to not have these fears rule my life any longer. I eventually got over them. But, it took a lot of mental power and it isn't easy when you haven't done it.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Now that I think about it - I love small spaces. So private and quiet. :) I have headed for bathroom stalls when I needed a moment away from some very public place.

We have an iffy elevator at the library. It has trapped people in it about 5 times since we opened a year ago - some were in there for 2 hours. Sometimes when I'm taking the elevator and it seems to take extra long for the doors to open, the thought crosses my mind that I might be stuck....and my gut reaction is always excitement. Kind of like being on a ride that goes 101.

Yeah, I'm weird.

[JWBear]

Not claustrophobic... But, since we're discussing irrational fears, I will admit that I'm apiphobic; and have been since I was badly stung as a small child.

[BarTopDancer]

I will fly. There is to much of the world to see that would be a PTIA to get to without flying.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Being trapped in an elevator wouldn't freak me out. Though if it started to get warm I'd be REALLY unhappy. It's the thought of getting trapped where I'm physically stuck, with restricted ability to move that get me.

Then there's the height thing. *shudder*

[JWBear]

Heights don't bother me... As long as I'm enclosed or can hold on to something. I'm one of these weird people who will press myself against a floor-to-ceiling window on the top floor of a skyscraper.

However... I will not walk on a clear glass floor! :eek:

[Capt Jack]

one incident as a child has left me slightly so. tied and tossed into a cardboard box by my older bro and his psycho friend. (but oh did they ever pay for that)

so...yeah, a little, but it has to be pretty seriously confining to do so.

[MouseWife]

Ah, Capt Jack, siblings!!! Being the youngest I've been the victim of so much at their hands. :mad:

Again, thanks you guys for your responses.

Ah, so, they did the air to help with people like me? :blush: 3894, I have been in places/apartments like that, they just don't feel 'right'.

I do feel a bit apiphobic myself, JWBear. And, no way would I walk on that glass floor at the Grand Canyon {if it is still open?}

GD~ how does your feeling about heights effect the rides you go on? You go on everything, I've never heard of you not. I can go to high places, I can stand on ledges and take photos BUT I went to a hotel, got in the elevator that went up 36 feet in a snap and I felt like a cat about to be thrown in water!! Step out the door and there are those floor to ceiling windows!!! While we were in the room, I felt like I was sitting atop, I don't know, something that was very tiny, like, a box being held up by a crane, maybe?

CP~you are lucky!! And, the elevators; when we were small, the Navy hospital that my dad was always in had elevators that always broke down!!! As a little kid, I wasn't afraid. I was only afraid of my brother taking us down to the morgue and not taking her back up....hmmmm....perhaps one of those 'situations, eh Capt Jack? :rolleyes:


BTD~ I never thought of it that way about flying. But, seriously, with all of the drinking pilots, I now will think about that. ;0) And, your comment about downtown LA, yep, I feel better in the open air, but, will still go to those places.

NA~ so far none of my issues have stopped me from doing anything. I hadn't ever even considered I had an issue until I rode the subs some years ago. I knew I got seasick but still went on harbor cruises, just took care of myself. The rides that made me sick at the park? I made sure not to eat first, to close my eyes, to breathe, whatever it took. Even just to ride the ride at the end of the night so that if I got sick, it wouldn't ruin my day.

But, I can't help but wonder how I would react in a plane. I haven't ever been but that is because I honestly haven't had cause to. It has always been cheaper to drive, and, we carry so many things, just what works. Growing up, being military, I'd alread moved cross country about 3 times before I was 5!

Has anyone who has issues flown and had any problems? What do you do to prevent them? I know that there will be a time we do choose to fly and I am actually excited about it, but, afraid of how I will react. Will I need to get drunk first? :D

[GusGus]

I love to fly!

Never had any issues with it.



And what makes me most claustrophobic is wearing a tight fitting bodice. Can't really handle that well (much to my husband's disappointment).

[MouseWife]

LOL GusGus!!!

Well, I've never tried a bodice but if I've tried on an article of clothing that ended up being too small in one of those try on rooms that is cramped and hot and I can't get the darn article of clothing off....:eek:

Wait, isn't that your bosom in KevyBabys' avatar???

[GusGus]

sadly, no

not even close!!!

[Kevy Baby]

Wait, isn't that your bosom in KevyBabys' avatar???No, it is Disneyphile's.

Link to avatar (http://homepage.mac.com/kelder/.Pictures/Lucent%20Dossier%20052808/Attention-Grabbers.jpg) (since removed because BTD is so uptight)
Full pic of DP in said bodice (http://homepage.mac.com/kelder/.Pictures/Lucent%20Dossier%20052808/Boob-Gurl.jpg)
Some random porn I found on the internet (http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6595/cutekitten9ah.jpg)

[MouseWife]

I wondered where it went....

Oh, nice shot, were y'all out because that is beautiful work on the bodice.

No freakin' way am I going to click on that random porn link. I never know what I would find. I guess that would have to go up on that 'phobia' list. Having already been mindblown by some other links.

GusGus, does this mean you are like me, a pirates dream? :D

[€uroMeinke]

I was have occasional moments of anxiety at take-offs and landings, but lately I've been sleeping through those.

I did have an experience of being on a plane that blew out an engine and had to make an emergency landing. We got to take off our shoes, remove sharp objects from our pockets, and assume the crash landing position while the cabin filled with smoke.

It was kind of cool to see all the emergency vehicles lined along the runway - I felt safe knowing the planes were designed to fly on one engine. Of course a couple weeks later a DC-10 lost an engine and spiraled into the ground, which has since made me reflect differently on the relative danger.

[Kevy Baby]

Oh, nice shot, were y'all out because that is beautiful work on the bodice.See this thread (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?t=7770), particularly starting here (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?p=213670#post213670).

No freakin' way am I going to click on that random porn link. I never know what I would find.C'mon... ya know ya want to!!!

GusGus, does this mean you are like me, a pirates dream? :DHer husband is very happy with her them. And is freakin' ecstatic about her wonderful back side!!!

[MouseWife]

Eek! That Guy, wow, what could have happened!! Glad that you are here to tell the tale. :snap: {I still can not type that 'E'...tried the control thing, didn't work....crappy computer....}

Oh, forgot to look at the links....no tricks, eh?

Ah, there is a part of me that is curious, but......I've had flashes of images haunt me....

Aw how sweet, well, I'll take your word and no I won't check out her backside when ever I'm at a meet or something. ;)

Checked the link~wow!! Those pictures were cool! What an event!!! Totally cool!!! But of course, this is the LoT, so, I am not surprised at its' swankness. ;0)

[MouseWife]

Some random porn I found on the internet (http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6595/cutekitten9ah.jpg)


:blush:

Oh my, such a furry little puss. :p

[JWBear]

:blush:

Oh my, such a furry little puss. :p

And a redhead, too! ;)

[Kevy Baby]

I have a fear of St. Nick: Clausetrophobia

[MouseWife]

And a redhead, too! ;)

And the carpet matches the drapes!!! ;)

Kevy Baby, I think you may have gotten coal at some point...thus leading to your fear. :D

[3894]

Has anyone who has issues flown and had any problems? What do you do to prevent them? I know that there will be a time we do choose to fly and I am actually excited about it, but, afraid of how I will react. Will I need to get drunk first? :D

The worst times are going to be when the close the airplane door before takeoff and just before they open it on landing. That's when you close your eyes and visualize Disneyland.

When you first board the airplane, sit down and reach up to aim the air nozzle right at your face. The constant stream of air is going to help you a lot. It proves to you that your air will not run out.

Don't get drunk. It will mean more trips to the potty in the back of the plane. Airplane bathrooms are very small and cramped. If you need chemical help, get an Rx for Valium from your doctor.

You can do this. It's going to be completely worth it.

[scaeagles]

My only irrational fear is of dentists (and MBC, but that's another story). I looked to see if I could find a cool sounding phobia, but all it is called is dental phobia.

I think in extreme situations - like really, really small areas - I get a bit claustrophobic. I worked on weekends while in HS for a man the tuned and repaired pipe organs and some of the repair work was in very, very cramped quarters. That was uncomfortable.

[MouseWife]

The worst times are going to be when the close the airplane door before takeoff and just before they open it on landing. That's when you close your eyes and visualize Disneyland.

You can do this. It's going to be completely worth it.

Thank you for the tips!! You are so right about the drinking, I hadn't thought about having to get up over and over to use the bathroom! Not so good.

Oooo, I wanna go to Disneyland. But for real!! :D

Um, my biggest fear about the dentist is how much they charge. I know it is going to hurt but a lot of things do hurt, that is how I rationalize it. It isn't that long....usually.

So, tell us, scaeagles, when did this fear of MBC start? :evil:

[scaeagles]

So, tell us, scaeagles, when did this fear of MBC start? :evil:

When I saw him outside my window in 2006.....it's the stalking thing.

[Mousey Girl]

I have quite a few phobias, but most are diminishing with time. My biggest is of snakes. I have been able to deal with it since I traced back the cause to an incident in childhood.

Hospitals, I hate them, I hate going and visiting someone. I freak out. Again, this was diminished after being traced back to a childhood incident involving my dad and back surgery. I was 9ish. I don't remember him in the hospital, but the burn victim in the room down the hall.

I hate bridges, whether in a car or walking on one. It took me years to finally be able to cross the TSI suspension bridge. When in a car, I need to be the one driving, that way I feel more in control.

Elevators don't really bug me, but I do tend to get vertigo if I have to ride up and down in a tall building (like a Vegas hotel).

[MouseWife]

scaeagles~LOL You have a stalker?? And from the LoT no less!!

Mousey Girl~ I wonder how many things we shy away from are from things that happened in our past? You have recognized them but I wonder how many lie just underneath the surface and we don't take the time to figure them out?

Very good point.

[Strangler Lewis]

I'm not claustrophobic in planes, but I do find myself saying "Never again" every time I go bumping down into Burbank. You would, however, never get me into a submarine, a mine or any serious spelunking.

(Funny line from a flight attendant the other day: "Sir, you need to turn your cell phone off about five or ten minutes ago." And she gave it to him for about minute.)

I don't think I have any irrational phobias, but I am getting increasingly OCDish with my evening routine of checking locks and burners.

[MouseWife]

There are places I really do not like to drive in and will take longer ways just to avoid them. But, that isn't just a phobia but I think a sensible thing. Sure, I could just drive those places defensively but I already do that!!!

Well, that may seem OCD'ish but I think it is good too. The other night, no one bothered to check and our back door was left open. Not good.

What I've learned to do {which is hard when other people live with you because you don't know what happens after you go to bed or leave the house} is to make sure, before I leave the kitchen: turn off the coffee maker, check the burners, turn off whatever needs to be turned off and check the window and lock the door/turn off the garage light. That is the most important place because of the fire possibilities. And, the gas from the stove. It seems silly but it is a big responsibility to be the one to make sure the family is safe.

But, if I do those things before I leave the kitchen, I find when I am walking out the door, if I stop for a second and think, I can feel assured that I have done what needs to be done.

Did something happen to make you feel more concerned or just what you know can happen?

[Mousey Girl]

A couple of months before He left, He started freaking out about the possibility of the stove catching on fire. Looking back I wonder if that was because somone at the other house had almost done that.

[3894]

Two words: dental dam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_dam).

[MouseWife]

Geesh, I don't know alot of swanky things, but, I do know safe sex. That, I knew about. Not that it was for dentistry but.....

MG~ Wow, you are probably right.

[CoasterMatt]

Don't ever fly with me, I'm constantly being reminded by flight attendants that I make the other passengers nervous when I name what part of the plane is making each of the various "noises" the planes mechanical systems make during flight. It's not like I talk about crashes or maintenance records (well, I do talk about that while waiting for the flight) :)

[MouseWife]

Hmm. I actually think that having the noises explained to me would make me feel better. That things are working the way they are supposed to.

But, Iwouldn't want to hear about crashes. I think that is what makes me more upset at times because people think it is funny to ask questions out loud about how much air there is/isn't in the subs and what would happen if they break down, how long would the air last....that sort of thing. :mad:

[cirquelover]

My husband explains the noises and such to me and it is comforting to know it's normal. I don't like take off and landing but the rest of the flight I am just fine.


I hadn't even thought about the subs that way...yet...ummm, I'll have to think about that.

[MouseWife]

I'm sorry to have put that in your head.

Just remember, it is Disneyland, they have plenty of air. Heck, they take people off of Indiana Jones, they can get us out of the subs.

Right???

Just put your face up to the window and suck up that air. LOL

[cirquelover]

I went in a sub up at OMSI and was just fine but somehow I think the Disney subs are a little smaller. I was fine with the Disney subs as a child but then again I took up less oxygen then;)

They would have to have an evacuation plan or at least surface and give you air! It wouldn't look good to suffocate your guests:D

[MouseWife]

I don't know what OMSI is but I have heard that you can go on subs out on the coast of CA? Like maybe in Morro Bay or something like that?

Perhaps it being bigger would help but the thought of being under the water....

I've thought of hot air balloons. I would definitely have to understand the mechanics of it. Like your husband explaining the airplane sounds?

[cirquelover]

OMSI is the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. The sub does not move by the way, it just sits there on the river anchored to the shore and dock. I didn't want to lay in the bunk though, I don't know how sailors did that, not that they're much bigger now!

I figure at Disney we aren't that far under water and I should survive if something happened, at least. I don't want to be that deep under water. My husband thought the under water hotel looked cool. I told him to have a good time and send me pics! He also suggested sky diving but I love him anyway! Although now he has the kid talking about jumping out of a perfectly good airplane too!

I couldn't go up in a hot air balloon, no way no how. Well maybe if it's tethered to the ground but not in the sky. I find the little basket much more terrifying than the big plane!

I've actually been in little bush planes but it wasn't enjoyable but I trusted the pilot to keep me safe!

[MouseWife]

Oh, okay, that sounds do able with the knowledge that it wouldn't move or submerge!!

LOL Yeah, you mentioned 'the basket' and I went WTH was I thinking?? I think it would be a nice place to take pictures from but I can also enjoy other peoples' photos as well.

And I agree, why jump out of a perfectly good plane? :snap:

Haven't there been stories of people on those little commuter planes freaking out the whole ride but there isn't anything they can about it just to finish the flight? How annoying/scary for the other passengers. {I don't remember where I heard this but I know I have...at least once, maybe more...}

I wanted to thank everyone for posting all week, I really do appreciate the openness and honesty.

And especially the humor!!! :D

It can be mind over matter but it is nice to know that I am not the only one who has those strange little thoughts....:blush:

[3894]

Haven't there been stories of people on those little commuter planes freaking out the whole ride but there isn't anything they can about it just to finish the flight?

Only the little puddlejumpers fly out of our local airport to connect to big planes in Chicago or Minneapolis. These are planes you can't stand up in - I call them flying pencils, they're that dinky.

Now, match those with the harsh weather we often have in Wisconsin and you've got yourself a bumpy ride on a dinky plane. There is only one way to deal with it (besides just driving to Chicago or Minneapolis to catch the big jet): imagine you're riding in Indy's Jeep over a rough road.

[alphabassettgrrl]

**hugs** to everyone dealing with stuff.