Claustrophobia and nightmares!

[Adlon57]

At eight years old I was buried in a sand hill, and pulled out by my feet! Ever since then I have suffered from claustrophobia, a fear of enclosed spaces. I live by myself, but have usually had the bedroom window slightly open, I constantly move my bed around in my bedroom, but even at the age of 65 have nightmares [night terrors] of being in an enclosed space, I won't go into specific details, even writing this down will probably lead to another 'session'! I wake up during the night screaming, the guilt I feel for my neighbours at my loud utterances, of course I don't remember actually what I shouted, but the embarrassed thin smiles from the neighbours, tells me that I have done it again! I have taken off the bedroom door, using loop curtains to cover the space, for decades I have complained to my GP who knows all about my plight, but "'head' doctors" are expensive, and so is always 'put off' for another day! The long term effects of this condition MUST be [and is!] affecting me mentally! The pandemic situation of being in isolation as well has definitely not improved my overall mental condition at all! Even buying acoustic tiles for my bedroom walls is very much stopgap! My general opinion is that this condition is taken far too lightly and SHOULD be taken far more seriously!

[hunter5582]

There are most certainly effective treatments for claustrophobia and trauma. They do not necessarily involve seeing a psychiatrist, though that can be helpful for pharmacotherapy when that is indicated. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based practice that is very effective for dealing with what you describe. Another therapy is EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. CBT and EMDR can be provided by a qualified behavior health practitioner (therapist/counselor). While anxiolytic medications can be helpful in the short-term, dealing with the underlying problem with a long-term solution is preferable. You can, of course, do both if needed.

All the best my friend.

[Adlon57 in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions! Food for thought? As you say a long term solution always preferable!

all the best.