CLAUSTROPHOBIA.....WHAT HELPS ME



Hello Friends. 
I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Many of us have problems and issues. For the most part, my life is very positive and happy, but I do have a few issues that I deal with. They include claustrophobia and anxiety. I think a lot of the anxiety actually stems from the claustrophobia. I do not want to bring negativity to the blog as part of the reason why I'm here is to help others and lift them up and find good times in their everyday life. However, I will say I do know what triggered the claustrophobia. It was a couple incidents many many years ago and I won't go into that but what I'm going to do is tell you the things I do to help me deal with claustrophobia and make me feel as good as I possibly can in the anxiety ridden situation. 


I feel claustrophobic in following situations if not more than I have listed here:

Automatic car washes.
The dentist chair.
Standing or sitting in one spot and talking with one person for a long amount of time.

Sitting in restaurants, especially when it's just with one other person.
Having a test done like a CT (I'd be in a panic if I ever needed an MRI).
Elevators. (I like the stairs for exercise anyway)
Waiting in line.
If wearing anything restrictive like a scarf around my neck while running. (one time on a cold day, I was out for a run and my scarf to cover my mouth was too tight and I had to call my husband to come get me because of the attack, luckily I walked it off and was ok)
Airplanes. (oddly enough, the fear only happened once on a plane)

Getting a Haircut (This is why I cut and color my own hair)
Riding in the backseat of a car.
Haunted Houses, House of Mirrors



 What happens to me when the claustrophobic feeling creeps in?
 
I get hot.
My chest gets splotchy.
My face flushes.
I get sweaty.
My heart beats faster.
I have an overwhelming feeling to escape.

I may feel faint
It can be hard to breathe.


What do I do to make the situation more bearable? 

Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing.
Picturing myself in a happier situation, usually a field full of sunshine or a happy memory.
Sing a song in your head.
Distraction. For example, in the car wash, I look a my phone & browse photos, messages, etc.
Drinking Ice cold water filled with tons of ice cubes. It works!
Leaving the situation if possible.  
Telling myself in my mind that it's going to be ok.



 I just want others who deal with these same issues to know that there is an ebb and flow and you're not alone. While this isn't life threatening, it is scarey and it is real.


Life isn’t an easy journey, and the measure of a true champion is not how far you go, it’s how far you bounce back after facing defeat. Claustrophobia can feel like defeat at the time but it's only a temporary riff in life and you are more then your fear.

xoxo
 
"I'm claustrophobic. I can't go into haunted houses. They have these tight, dark, enclosed space. I freak out. That's my phobia. It gets me out of stuff. Someone asks me to do something and I tell them I can't because I'm claustrophobic."
Smart man, married Kelly Ripa and uses his phobia to his advantage. LOL

23 comments:

  1. Oh man, I'm sorry to hear that you suffer from this. Thankfully it hasn't happened to me, but as I get older certain things scare me more so I have a feeling this will develop, but breathing always helps like you said! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  2. I have anxiety over certain things and being hot makes it so much worse! I always make sure that I have water with me at all times and make sure that I remember to breath:) I totally know what you're feeling and it's not fun, but it's good to know other people deal with this stuff too!

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    1. Aww Lindsey, I know, it's not something I go around talking about so thought I'd put it on the blog to let others know they're not alone!!! I hope you have an awesome Monday sweet lady!! :-)

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  3. This was such an interesting post to read! I have anxiety related to claustrophobia but mainly with heights. It sucks to feel this way whenever I fly! It was great to read your tips!

    www.rosyoutlookblog.com

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    1. Thank you Kelly! I've talked to so many people who deal with this in some form or another. We can all help each other. And I hope your week is off to a fabulous start!!!! :)

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  4. I definitely have claustrophobia or anxiety in certain situations. Including some of those!! I just breathe or sing a happy song. If I'm with Chris, I just squeeze his hand. Thanks for sharing some tips too, and I hope that you had a fabulous weekend!! Enjoy your day today too!! :-)

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    1. I love the squeezing hubby's hand!! I hope your week is off to a great start pretty lady!!

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  5. This is some great advice for people who suffer for claustrophobia. I can definitely relate, especially when I'm in a crowded elevator! Deep breathing always helps me, but I will have to try the distraction idea to see if I have any luck with that! Hope you had a wonderful Fourth and Happy Monday!

    xo, Rachel
    www.ablondesmoment.com

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    1. Thank you Rachel!!! Distraction does help!! We are still on vacation this week and it's been fabulous!! Hope your week is off to a terrific start!!! :-)

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  6. Claustrophobia isn't something I suffer from but these are great tips for those who do! Thanks for sharing :)
    Kelsey
    www.thepeacockroost.com

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    1. I'm glad you do not have this fear Kelsey, it can be scary. I do hope you are having a great start to your week! :-)

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  7. Anonymous6.7.15

    Interesting. I experience discomfort in many of those situations, though I think it is from my socially-awkward introvert personality more than claustrophobia.

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    1. Awe sweetie. I am sure it can be kinda scary no matter what the cause! I hope you are having a super great start to your week!! :-)

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  8. Symptoms sound very similar to anxiety/anxiety attacks. I have anxiety. It can feel like I cannot breathe. When I was younger, I was tested for asthma, allergies, other breathing problems... but nothing was found... it took entering my adult years to realize my breathing problems were correlated to anxiety. I have since learned controlling and calming methods. That include advance prep (like noticing a situation that may cause anxiety and calming myself before the attack hits), telling myself it's going to be okay, and breathing/relaxation techniques to steady my breaths.

    While I've not experienced claustrophobia, I can still totally relate!


    Amber
    All the Cute
    Today’s Post: Rosegal Printed Romper

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    1. Aww friend you are smart to recognize your triggers. And sounds like you are equipped to handle them but I bet when an attack happens, that initial fear is scary! Aren't our bodies and minds so complex. Glad many people can relate so we can help others too!! I hope you're having a great start to your week!! :-)

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  9. This is a great share Andrea! I deal with this as well, not to the extreme, but have it in some situations! Great pointers to help with it! Are you scared of heights? That is worse for me! I hope you have a fabulous week, blessings to you my friend!

    Valerie
    x00xx

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    1. Yes, I am scared of heights too but oddly enough do not get as panicky with those. Anxiety is tough but at least we can find ways to cope and know others share the fears too. I hope your week is off to a fabulous start pretty lady!!

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  10. Hi love! I hope you had a great weekend! Sorry, about your anxiety attacks and THANK YOU for sharing your story with all of us. YOU are such a light to so many people.
    Sending you much love & I hope your Monday is as marvelous like you!!!
    xoxo, Vanessa
    www.WhatWouldVWear.net

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    1. Thank you beautiful!!!! Hope you enjoying an amazing and beautiful Monday!!! :-) xo

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  11. This is a great post! Thank you for sharing this, I feel like it something many don't know about!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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    1. Thanks Darcy! I hope your week is off to a super great start. :-)

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  12. So good of you to share this. It always helps to know your'e not alone if you're having a problem. I suffer from anxiety and I'm always working on ways to combat it, so I like to share those on my blog as well. I hope you had a great weekend!

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  13. Thanks so much for sharing this information. Your tips are great and will be very helpful.

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