jayye
09-06-10, 23:56
Hi, Ive suffered with this phobia for about 8 years now and Ive decided to see my gp about it, my appt is next week. Any tips on what to say/ask would be great.
My fears are - being somewhere that I cannot get out/escape from instantly so I cant go on trains, planes, lifts. When Im at my worst I cannot do buses, shopping centres or anywhere where I cant see the door and the door is not open. Automatic doors are a problem too in case they dont open when I try to get out. I dont feel the need to be home, just out of that enclosed place. I have what I guess are panic attacks when ever Im stuck in these places, although I do know that its panic Im feeling, I dont think Im having a heart attack or whatever as thats what I read about most commonly on panic attacks.
Recently Ive had my phobia strike whilst in a meeting when I suddenly realised that the outside door was locked, and also in a friends house when she locked the front door and I realised we were locked inside the porch until she got her keys out to unlock it. I often wake in the night full of fear and panic thinking im trapped in somewhere then I come round a bit and tell myself the window is unlocked then I can get back to sleep. I cannot lock doors in public toilets/cubicles if there is not sufficient space under the door for me to escape through. I couldnt recently go into an x ray room at the hospital with my daughter because they would lock the door. I also panic when Im at the hairdressers having highlights as I know I must stay in that chair for so long and cannot just get up & get out. Also the dentists, Im not scared of dental treatment its the thought of being trapped in that chair while the dentist is looking in my mouth & I cannot escape instantly.
The list of things I cannot do is ever growing and Ive had enough, I dont believe I'll ever do certain things again but I need to get some control back as its affecting my family aswell, my children would love to go out on a train for a daytrip for eg.
So what would you diagnose me with?
Thanks
My fears are - being somewhere that I cannot get out/escape from instantly so I cant go on trains, planes, lifts. When Im at my worst I cannot do buses, shopping centres or anywhere where I cant see the door and the door is not open. Automatic doors are a problem too in case they dont open when I try to get out. I dont feel the need to be home, just out of that enclosed place. I have what I guess are panic attacks when ever Im stuck in these places, although I do know that its panic Im feeling, I dont think Im having a heart attack or whatever as thats what I read about most commonly on panic attacks.
Recently Ive had my phobia strike whilst in a meeting when I suddenly realised that the outside door was locked, and also in a friends house when she locked the front door and I realised we were locked inside the porch until she got her keys out to unlock it. I often wake in the night full of fear and panic thinking im trapped in somewhere then I come round a bit and tell myself the window is unlocked then I can get back to sleep. I cannot lock doors in public toilets/cubicles if there is not sufficient space under the door for me to escape through. I couldnt recently go into an x ray room at the hospital with my daughter because they would lock the door. I also panic when Im at the hairdressers having highlights as I know I must stay in that chair for so long and cannot just get up & get out. Also the dentists, Im not scared of dental treatment its the thought of being trapped in that chair while the dentist is looking in my mouth & I cannot escape instantly.
The list of things I cannot do is ever growing and Ive had enough, I dont believe I'll ever do certain things again but I need to get some control back as its affecting my family aswell, my children would love to go out on a train for a daytrip for eg.
So what would you diagnose me with?
Thanks