Lifts – Small Places – Aeroplanes – PANIC
Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For the last 10 years I have not been able to go into a lift. My stomach goes cold and knotted at the thought of ‘what if it gets stuck?’ I used to be the same in crowded places but as long as I can see an exit I am ok. I went into a college during the evening and got lost around the corridors and couldn’t find my way out. Eventually I saw a side door and thank God it opened to the outside – I felt ready to collapse if it hadn’t opened. In a meeting room I have to sit close to the door. I cannot sit in the back seat of a two door car. I cannot go on a plane anymore. The Doctor doesn’t seem interested – says take deep breaths – told me to read a book on panic attacks but it isn’t the answer. I try to convince myself that everything is ok – last time I went on a plane on holiday (6 years ago) I had to look at small children and tell myself ‘if they can do it – I am a grown man aged 60+ so I can do it’. My own diagnosis is that I am ok as long as I am in control … if I have to rely on others I panic. Would anyone care to help me with some advice. I’d be grateful and it would open my life up again if I could beat this phobia. Incidentally it only started about 10 years ago and I don’t know why. John — John Griffiths Baxenden Lancs, UK
We are all familiar with these phobias, I can assure you. If you don’t have panic attacks out of the blue but only situational anxieties you’d bet find a clinical psychologist specialized in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which is a here-and-now therapy. It has a very good track record with anxiety, especially with single phobias. Philip
Response:
Hi John, welcome to ASAP, For the last 10 years I have not been able to go into a lift. My stomach goes cold and knotted at the thought of ‘what if it gets stuck?’
This happened to me while I was in hospital being treated for PA. The nurse paniced, I used the phone to get help. However, 2 hours later my bp when over 200. Its all part of an anx/pan persons worst nightmare – being trapped and unable to run home. Fortunately, in my case the stuck lift became so common that it almost became a joke. Anyway I got spooked and then desensitised at about the same time. I used to be the same in crowded places but as long as I can see an exit I am ok. I went into a college during the evening and got lost around the corridors and couldn’t find my way out. Eventually I saw a side door and thank God it opened to the outside – I felt ready to collapse if it hadn’t opened. In a meeting room I have to sit close to the door. I cannot sit in the back seat of a two door car. I cannot go on a plane anymore.
All part of the not wanting to be trapped thing. 
The Doctor doesn’t seem interested – says take deep breaths – told me to read a book on panic attacks but it isn’t the answer.
Seems to me that your doctor isnt the answer. Can you get another one (I know it difficult in the UK)? I try to convince myself that everything is ok – last time I went on a plane on holiday (6 years ago) I had to look at small children and tell myself ‘if they can do it – I am a grown man aged 60+ so I can do it’.
Do that all the time John and I’m the guy sitting up front! <VBG Do you know that BA have a course for reluctant flyers. Costs about 150pounds but you do get a 2hr flight around Heathrow. My own diagnosis is that I am ok as long as I am in control … if I have to rely on others I panic.
Yes, I suspect that this is, at least partly, due to no longer trusting ourselves, so why would we trust others! Would anyone care to help me with some advice. I’d be grateful and it would open my life up again if I could beat this phobia.
Difficult John. My recommendation would be to undertake a course in Cognitive behaviour Therapy, but apparently you have a better chance of winning the pools (lottery). The thing that seems to work for many people is to slowly dessensitise yourself to situations you find difficult. For example if you have difficulty shopping, go to the outside of the store a few times a day. Once you can handle that okay, then actually go in. You dont need to buy anything at first, just go in and out. Gradually increase you time inside. Then begin buying something etc. But you need to repeat each step several times a day. Frankly its a lot easier with meds, but benzos are also diff. in the UK, and antidepressants may be overkill. Give it a try and see how you go. If you cant manage talk to your (new) doctor about the alternatves available to you. (Tell the store what you are doing-dont want you getting arrested. Dont worry,they usually understand- they want your custom!) Incidentally it only started about 10 years ago and I don’t know why. John —
Very few of use seem to have A why. It happens and there are probably a multitude of whys. And even when there is A why, as in my case, knowing doesnt seem to make any different. In the end you have to deal with the now. Good luck and take care Ian
Response:
For the last 10 years I have not been able to go into a lift. My stomach goes cold and knotted at the thought of ‘what if it gets stuck?’ I used to be the same in crowded places but as long as I can see an exit I am ok. I went into a college during the evening and got lost around the corridors and couldn’t find my way out. Eventually I saw a side door and thank God it opened to the outside – I felt ready to collapse if it hadn’t opened. In a meeting room I have to sit close to the door. I cannot sit in the back seat of a two door car. I cannot go on a plane anymore. The Doctor doesn’t seem interested – says take deep breaths – told me to read a book on panic attacks but it isn’t the answer. I try to convince myself that everything is ok – last time I went on a plane on holiday (6 years ago) I had to look at small children and tell myself ‘if they can do it – I am a grown man aged 60+ so I can do it’. My own diagnosis is that I am ok as long as I am in control … if I have to rely on others I panic. Would anyone care to help me with some advice. I’d be grateful and it would open my life up again if I could beat this phobia. Incidentally it only started about 10 years ago and I don’t know why. John — John Griffiths Baxenden Lancs, UK
Response:
It’s strange but I currently suffer from GAD and PA yet I did get stuck in a elevator and didn’t freak out. Whether or not this is because of the Buspar and Effexor I’m taking or not is anyone’s guess. On a more positive note, overcoming your fear of elevators (lifts) is addressed in the: Phobia and Anxiety WOrkbook by Bourne. He gives a step-by-step description of how to overcome this phobia. Doug
