Is this a phobia? If so, of what?

[RadioactiveWear]

I have had this for about 5 years. Possibly linked to peri or menopause.

I have to sit at the end of the aisle when I go to the theatre or cinema because I want to know I can just get up and move if I want to.
Hate having my hair done because I have to sit there in the chair for ages. I start to feel dizzy and panicky because I can't leave if I want to.
Hate going on the tube because "I can't leave".
Now absolutely sick at the thought of going on a plane. It's the bit where I am strapped in with the seatbelt, and can't get up and walk around. Once the sign is off, I am fine.
Dropped all the nice things I liked doing e.g. facials, massage because when I think "I can't leave" I start to feel panicky.

I start to feel dizzy, and like I am going to panic or run off.

Is it anxiety? I get an urge to run and run when I’m feeling anxious.

Yes, I think it is, but I think it is for something specific. I think it may be some form of claustrophobia.

I am trying to slap a label on it so I can google it and find some coping strategies.

My DS who is 16 has this. It’s mainly theatres or cinemas but anywhere he is a bit ‘trapped’ in a seat- he won’t sit in a booth unless he is on the outside. There is ‘theatriphobia’ but it is a bit more widespread.

Look up cleithrophobia, it does cover a fear of being, say, strapped into a harness and unable to get out.

I have always had a degree of this which I think is linked to my ADHD.

It’s not at a ‘phobic’ level for me as it doesn’t limit my life. I take the tube, but sit or stand near the door if possible. I fly, but if possible get an aisle seat. I go to the theatre, but of I can I get a seat near the aisle etc. If I can’t do these things, I don’t panic but I do feel on edge/restless.

I hate meetings that last longer than about half an hour for the and reason (having to stay in one room!(. If I’m on a training course, I will always need a ‘loo break’ (or. Escape for a few minutes) every now and then.

Perimenopause exacerbated these feelings for me, although HRT has helped. I also take Prozac, and get incredibly jittery without it.

I hope someone can come along and give you more of a ‘diagnosis’! It does help to be able to look for strategies.

You have a mild form of panic disorder. That's the simplest way of thinking of it. You can probably label it something more specific like claustrophobia but it makes no difference. Your actions are called safety behaviours- so you do them to try to keep yourself safe but they actually keep the problem going. You need to gradually approach stopping the safety behaviour (like sitting on the end of the row) and doing the things you avoid so that you can rediscover that it's ok and nothing bad will happen.

I believe it's agoraphobia. It's misconception that it's just about not leaving the house. I've had this to varying extents throughout my life. At its worst it's horrendous and you have my sympathy. I've found my overall anxiety and stress levels are what seem to cause it. So if I can improve those I naturally stop worrying about being able to get away from situations. Daily meditation and breathing exercises helps, as well as cutting out alcohol.

Here's a definition of agoraphobia:

extreme or irrational fear of entering open or crowded places, of leaving one's own home, or of being in places from which escape is difficult.

I didn't underline those words on purpose btw!but I think the last part describes it?

I have the same thing. This is why the idea of cruises fills me with terror, and one of the many, many reasons why I loathe flying.

I've always booked seats at the end of rows in cinemas or theatres , just in case i feel the need to get the hell out of there !
Been like it all my adult life
Not keen on flying either , can put up with it for an hour or so but that's about my limit .
I believe it's agoraphobia , it's a complex condition

Oh I will always book an aisle seat if I possibly can. Flying, theatre, cinema etc.

Im ok at the hairdressers but when I had my long hair cut and highlighted, I’d split the appointments into 2. Just couldn’t sit in the chair for long enough!

My husband used to be exactly the same. It's anxiety.

He still has to sit on the end of a row but he's much better now. He went to the doctor's and got some tablets which helped . Did some online Hypno therapy

More like panic than a phobia. CBT would be great for this so find a therapist and have 6ish sessions. You can get on top of this but will need help.

I have cancelled/refused to go to the theatre because of this. I even left at the interval during a play I had been looking forward to for months because of it

I won't get on the tube, a train is ok

There is no way I'd get on a plane now

For me it kicked in about the time of lockdowns but that also clashed with early menopause

I hate it

Every sympathy to everyone else who suffers

I came across this old thread whilst googling to self diagnose myself and it resonated so much I could cry.

I do all of the things listed here so it’s nice to know I’m not alone. It’s really limited my life, for example I cannot drive on the motorway anymore because I fear I’ll want to pull over and am too far away from the next junction. Weird that also tubes are out of the question but trains are fine? I guess cos I can walk more freely and use a loo if need be to hide for a minute. But I always need an ‘escape strategy’. It’s exhausting.

I’ve had 10 CBT sessions & am slowly improving. I know this threads a few years old but if you see this I wonder how you’re doing now and if you found any coping strategies?