I'm claustrophobic

Hi @Smanga20

Welcome to the forums.

I'm not too keen on long bus trips either. I often find listening to podcasts or music helpful. @Decadian had some great suggestions. Do you have any techniques that have helped you in the past?

As @Sahara suggests in this thread about anxiety more generally, it can sometimes help to tell yourself that what you're experiencing is anxiety, rather than focusing on what it is that's making you anxious (in this case the bus trip). Sometimes, having named your anxiety, it can be easier to put it to the side and focus on something else (like a puzzle or podcast or the view out the window). I don't know if that is something that could help in your situation? @MoonGal has also shared some great tips in the same thread.

Are you holidaying in South Africa or is that home for now?

I hate lifts @Former-Member - but I have to get in one sometimes -

I have a bad back - and no one could tell except by my ouching from time to time - I get the horrors at the shopping mall when people start pushing in with trolleys and prams - I have no where to go - and I start to sweat and have to breathe deeply - and slowly - and count - I do a lot of counting

There should be some lift-lift ettiquete rules somewhere - there will be another lift - I can use a down escalator - I have multi-focal lenses and people with those or bifocals know there is a blind spot near our feet - ahhhh screech - but why do they keep pushing in???????

I wouldn't - I use the travelators - but I have a story about lifts - I have to tell it

When my parents were in care they got ready to go down to dinner and we were ready to leave - upstairs. While my parents were waiting for the lift the doors all along the corridor opened and people with their A-Frames came struggling out of their rooms and hurrying for the lift - and they were coming from around corners - there was a nurse sorting out people and A-Frames - everyone had one so four was the maximum in the lift - but these oldies kept on trying to get in

What was the hurry? Was dinner the most important thing of the day? I was told they all have a "spot" and are in a hurry to get there before someone takes it

That's funny in a way - but what about the oldies with claustrophobia?

No way would I get in the lift with so many people - it was like the shopping mall with the trolley and people pushing and shoving - and it's scary - I get scared - I am afraid - it's a nightmare

I never want to live in a place like that - no way

Decadian

Hi Bridget

I like what you wrote about being tired of not living - we all have an end date - I'll stick around until then I think

I think it's the trolleys and prams at the lifts at the shopping mall - everyone keeps pushing in - I got in a lift today and even though there were several lifts and the lift was already full someone forced their way in - like there's three more lifts

In Japan the people on the stations push people onto trains - that would make me freak out -

I just get why people think this is their last chance - but this is how people behave

Maybe someone in a future civilization will find my bones crumpled at the bottom of the ancient remains of some building - and the words above will read - "she knew there'd be another lift"

Good work though - we only have one life so let's live it

Decadian

Hi @Former-Member

I get it - I have been in a hotel in Canberra for the last few days - and I have used the lift often

Most of the time it has been okay - but every so often there will be more people in the lift thank I feel comfortable with - I hate being crowded

But I have used excalators willingly in the air port and stairs here - so late this afternoon I will be on the plane again

This time I paid extra for a more comfortable flight - it's worth it - I usually score a window seat - it's a good idea to book in early - then the chances of being able to see out of the window are better

But you are right - some days are easier than others - sometimes we need more personal space than other days

All the best with all of that - I so totally understand

Decadian