Community Chat

[gmkb]

I have always been claustrophobic.  During this year of illness I have had numerous MRI's, scans, tests, etc. which I have managed to endure.  All these enclosed places have been stressful.

[pattypeep]

Spiders !! No matter their size. Get covered in gooseflesh just thinking about them and I have no desire to overcome my fear !!

[morning glory]

Bears.

[jubilant]

Being alone in the house at night.

 When DH had his cardiac arrest almost 4 years ago and had to be hospitalized for a time, I couldn't believe how frightened I was at every little noise?  I had every light in the house on and a gun on my nightstand!  I had never been alone at night before.  I was shocked that I was so scared.  I tend to be fairly brave....or so I thought. Guess not! I was extremely exhausted.  My daughter offered to send my grandson over to sleep in the guest room but I said, "no, I need to get over this".  If I had to do it all over again, I would have said yes. That was not the time to test myself.  A 6 ft. strapping teenager would have been a welcome relief.

[Shanus]

@DowntonAbbey. Hope you the help you're looking for. It must be difficult to be lonely all the time. 🌷

[CANDLEQUEEN]

Crowds, Dentist, and Centipedes..........Yikes!!!! I never used to fear crowds, but I had a panic attack 10 years ago at a crowded festival and ever since then I hate being in crowds!

[MaRina]

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@gmkb wrote:

I have always been claustrophobic.  During this year of illness I have had numerous MRI's, scans, tests, etc. which I have managed to endure.  All these enclosed places have been stressful.

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@gmkb I am as well. They can give you something for you to relax it does help MRI'S are horrible. Last one I had for a tumor on my carotid artery took about an hour. After surgery I was told be ready for another one, but the doctor didn't make me go through it again. He said he removed it all PTL. 

My mother was also claustrophobic, wonder if it's hereditary. 

Hope you get relief soon from all your dealing with 

[CatsyCline]

Spiders. they freak me out!!!! any size except the Daddy Long Legs.

the one good thing about Winter is No Spiders. in the summer they come in through the AC units

there is one spider who makes a home in my car's driver side mirror. in the spring.

ugh he is one of those nerve spiders and he hides when i get close to the car.

last spring i tied a plastic vegetable bag on the mirror and drove around with it for a month so he could not get out

[05gage25]

 I've had many fears over the years....had anxiety attacks which made me feel as if I was dying. Someone gave me a book written by a gentleman who had suffered from these paralyzing attacks for years. After reading it, and realizing I wasn't dying, I was able to control them with deep breathing and repeating a phrase to myself. The phrase I used was one said by FDR.....there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Haven't had anxiety attacks in years. And to those who can't leave their homes...I know what that fear is like. I wish the best for you.

[just bee]

I have some trepidation when it comes to heights, bridges, ladders, being on a boat in the middle of a large body of water, and narrow, curving mountain roads.

Heights:  First noticed the problem when I was twelve and was at the top of the John Hancock Center in Chicago.  I wanted to get to the window to see the view of the city but at a certain point my legs wouldn’t move.  My knees locked and I was stuck.  The fear is inconsistent.  I don’t remember that much fear when I was at the Empire State Building.  I’ve been on planes, in helicopters, on trams, on bridges, on cliffs, in hot air balloons – sometimes it’s paralyzing and sometimes it’s not.

Ladders: First noticed the problem in college when I had to take an incomplete in a theatrical lighting course.  Couldn’t get on the ladder to hang lights.  The catwalk above the stage?  Uh, no.  Knees locked.

Water: I grew up a block from Lake Michigan and then I lived near the Pacific.  Something about large bodies of water is unsettling.  The Chicago River creeped me out (you know the Michigan Avenue Bridge that opens up over it?) for some reason.  I’ve been on boats and ferries but am in no hurry to board a cruise ship.  One word: Titanic.

Bridges: And sometimes it’s highway overpasses.  This is also inconsistent.  I drive over a bridge and a river to get to work and to get home.  Crossed the Golden Gate a zillion times.  Walked over it many times.  Sometimes it was a breeze, sometimes it wasn’t.  Never cared for the Bay Bridge.  Didn’t help that the first image I saw after the electricity came back after the ’89 quake was of the crumpled bridge and the cars that kept moving forward.  Love the Brooklyn Bridge – go figure.  I still have dreams about getting stuck in the lane to the Dumbarton Bridge and I can’t change lanes.  The bridge is looming and I have to cross it.  There it is.  Getting closer.  No escape.  Then I wake up.  Hated the San Mateo Bridge because it was just soooooo long.

Mountain roads: Again, it’s inconsistent.  Driven over mountain roads for decades -- some with sheer cliffs.  Sometimes it’s not a problem and sometimes I consider life in Kansas.

I’ve flown over the Grand Canyon many times but even when I lived in Arizona I never visited it.  I would love to go, but I’m just afraid it will be on the day I get knee-lock.  Would I get on that mule?  Uh… I really don’t think I would.