I am claustrophobic and
horribly so .
It all started about 15 years ago when I stayed with
relatives in India and woke in the middle of the night . The room was in the center
of the house – Black floor – red walls and no windows .
I panicked and felt out of breath – rushed to find another
room – the house was pitch black . Finally forced a window open . It was a
still summer night in northern India and there was not a breath of air outside .
I woke everyone in the house fearing I was having a heart
attack – I had palpitations and cold sweats – we all sat around till it was day break and then I visited to a doctor . He gave me a few pills to calm
me down and I was thrilled I was not dying - but that’s a different story .
Thereafter I have often woken , even at home, with similar
feelings . Hotel stays are okay as long as it’s a big airy room . I did stay in
a hotel in Prague last year and had to go down and sit in the foyer till the
management were able to find a key for the window in the room and give it to me
.
Once I knew that I
had the key I felt better . I know this sounds strange but it’s the truth . As
long as I know that I can open a window or door and breathe I feel confident .
When I travel alone and suddenly wake feeling breathless , I
switch on the lights , make myself a cup of tea , put on the TV and then calm
down . You may be smiling and commenting on how silly this is but when you have
a phobia – it’s something only you can comprehend
I was once asleep in the A 380 - comfortable and cool . I then woke with the
same suffocating feeling . Feeling rather silly I walked to the Bar in the sky
at 3 am – it is an open space compared to where I was sitting . I then felt
better .
Meetings in a closed room see me sit as close to the door as
possible . Movies and the opera are a big no and pubs and restaurants which
have basement seating are avoided like the plague .
I have been advised to see a hypnotist , have acupuncture and
what not . I guess it’s all in the mind .
To get over it I must . Any suggestions anyone ?
No comments:
Post a Comment