CLAUSTROPHOBIA IS CONTOLING ME

[DEB EMENHISER]

I WAS ASKED THROUGH AN EMAIL IF I WANTED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER CHURCH TO VISIT SOMEONE. I SAID NO BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE TO GET IN AN ELEVATOR. THE PERSON I WOULD BE VISITING HAS PICKED ME BUP 3 TIMES TO GO TO A CLASS AS I AM IN A EHEEL CHAIR RIGHT NOW. HOW SAD.

[Sara's Mom]

Are you afraid of the elevator because you feel there is no escape? I was that way - I even quit a job because it was on the 40th floor and I thought "what if this breaks down and I am stuck here and I lose control". I started to reintroduce myself to enclosed situations slowly after going through this program. I started small - a single room, locking bathroom, like that at a doctor's office. When nothing bad happened, I started to close the door to my office at work, then I moved onto elevators. I can hop on one and if I start with "what if this breaks down and I am stuck", I have Lucinda's advice running through my head, "what if it does not break down and you are not stuck". I know it is scary, but positive, soothing self-talk will help. Baby steps help, too. You will not go crazy, the panic attacks won't hurt you - they don't feel that great, but they cannot hurt you.

My family is going to take a vacation in Florida this February and my son wants to be on on a bunch of rides that are in the dark. I used to feel "trapped" and unable to get myself out of the situation when we went to the parks in the past, but I have been listening to the relaxtion cd and when it states to picture yourself doing what you want to do, I see myself going on the ride and returning happy. Maybe you could try to visualize yourself successfuly going on the elevator first.

Good Luck
LisaLisa

[Guest]

Stress Center Home Stress Center Community Forums Everyone Welcome General Comments/Inquiries about "Attacking Anxiety & Depression" CLAUSTROPHOBIA IS CONTOLING ME

THANKS FOR THE ADVISE. I WAS ABLE TO GET IN THE SHOWER AND WITH DISTRACTIING MYSELF IN 3 DAYS I HAD NO MORE ANXIETY. I AM AFRAID OF ANYTHING CLOSED IN OR BEIN G OUT OF CONTROL. LAST NIGGHT I HAD ANXIETY IN A RESTRAUNT BECAUSE I AM IN A WHEEL CHAIR SO I COULD NOT GET UP OR LEAVE WHEN I WANT. JUST SARTED THE PROGRAM. HOPE I GET BETTER.

[Guest]

I USED DISTRACTING TECHNIQUE CAUSE THIS WORKED IN THE SHOWER BUT DID NOT WORK AT THE RESTRAUNT. I WILL KEEP TRYING. DEB

[Guest]

Deb, Distraction from the anxiety thoughts is the key. You are doing great. I noticed my anxiety was trying to creep in on me this a.m. I had to self-talk myself down. I can tell you, the more you practice it,the better you will get at talking yourself out of an axiety/panic situation.

When I had my last full blown panic attack I was at a restaurant. When it started, I managed to stop at a 3 by paying attention to the people in the restaurant, looking at the patterns on the table, just trying to concentrate on something else besides the panic.

You will get there, I did and I was really bad.

LisaLisa

[Guest]

This was my biggest fear and I think it was because I was stuck in a very small elevator for 2.5 hours with 8 other squashed people. Sure I felt a little anxiety when we were in there but I am only realising now (6 years after the incident)I was fine until I looked back and thought all the negatives.


"What if" thoughts are sooooo negative. All the time I was thinking "What if I get stuck again". What you are subconsciously doing is SCARING YOURSELF.. Change the What if thoughts to "So what if" thoughts..

So what if I get stuck in an elevator, SO-What !! .... Yes, you may feel a little anxious but that is ok. You know that it's your negative thoughts trying to scare you making you feel anxiety. Your brain acts on those thoughts feeding your body adrenaline and making your heart pound for no phyiscal reason.

Remember it is 90% thoughts and only 10% environment that determine the way you feel..

Once I understood that being in control is not being in control all the time I was on the road to recovery !!