I have a phobia-

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 ?