Help me with my Tube fears! What routes shall I try?

[Chocalata]

Hi Mumsnetters! I am so ashamed of my Tube claustrophobia and panic, I can’t really talk to friends about it. I need to spend some time in London for work and I am going to spend a day in advance trying to get myself used to being on the Tube again after 4 years. Which routes would you start with that wouldn’t be too scary? And which ones should I avoid as too much too soon? I am going to spend the whole day practising so any advice really welcome! Thank you.

See your doctor first for some kind of mild tranquiliser and tell at least one of your colleagues about your phobia so they can hold your hand if you feel overwhelmed.
I agree that Edgware Road (Circle/Hammersmith & City) to Great Portland Street or Euston is a good starter journey. Edgware Road is above ground and the stations aren't deep underground. (Edgware Road Bakerloo is a completely different station.)

Euston Square.

If a colleague told me this is how they felt I’d be totally understanding to be honest

I used to be like this, and I watched the taking of Pelham 123 (the original) I still don't like them, but seeing the workings of the Metro in New York really helped.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Taking_of_Pelham_One_Two_Three_(1974_film)

Good luck OP. I totally 'get' your phobia and have freaked out down there myself before, pushing and shoving against the crowd to get out.
I tell myself "In 5 minutes you'll be out of here. 5 minutes is nothing."

@ImplementingTheDennisSystem
I love that mantra - the idea we can do anything just for 5 mins!

Does anyone know what Baker Street to Westminster would be like on the Jubilee line?

That route on jubilee should be fine OP.

I’ve experienced this.

Some things I’ve found helpful: calming podcasts whilst on the tube, waiting til a few goes by when it’s very busy, leaving the station if overwhelmed.

If you can’t quite crack it on your own would recommend therapeutic help with your mental health.

One other option I've just thought of is the new line out from Paddington to Reading. Might sound a bit weird but basically there are underground trains with the same type of seating, obviously no actual going underground. They stop at a lot of stops so you wouldn't have to spend long on it you could just pop out from London for a couple of stops and then back again. Might be a gentle introduction .

I am the same as you, OP, but I use the ones that stay above ground on the whole, like the Metropolitan Line. The Jubilee line is above ground for a little way. The District and Circle lines are ok too.

Hello again! Feeling really proud of myself as I have managed Paddington to Euston sq, then had a walk around the stations at Euston station and Mornington Crescent (I found that station terrifying but managed to get down the stairs and back up again which I am taking as a win even though I didn’t get on a train.)
I want to try Baker Street to Westminster on the grey Jubilee line as my next step but I don’t want to over do it and freak myself out. Is it a deep underground? is Baker Street a claustrophobic station? Is it a long walk down to the Jubilee line? Does Baker Street have a big escalator? Is Westminster a claustrophobic station? Eek - panicking already.
thanks for all your support. I think people would laugh at me in ‘real life’ if they knew I was so proud of managing such a small first step! X

Think it's 2 escalators down to the Jubilee at Baker Street but I'm not sure. It's a big station. Westminster is my favourite tube station. It's fantastic - sort of gothic brutalist.
Well done on your journeys so far.

@Chocalata Well done! That took a lot of guts and you should be so proud of yourself!!!

Baker Street to Westminster was my daily commute for a while so hopefully I can shed some light on some of your questions.

The narrowest part of Baker Street is the escalators and you will be doing down 2 flights of them. The first set is as you come in from the entrance. The ticket gates are straight in front of the escalators and it can feel crowded at rush hour times. BUT outside of those times it feels quite spacious.

You go down this flight and come onto a second concourse that has 4 exits to it. The one you just came down, one on your left, one on your right and one in front. Head to the one in front, this takes you down to the Westminster bound train. Go down the escalators and take the platform on your left. It gets quite narrow at the bottom of the escalators but you can see out to both platforms so it doesn't feel tight and claustrophobic

At Westminster station, the first thing you will notice is that the platform is not an open platform. It is enclosed by Perspex and there are doors set in it that align with the tube doors. This is quite common along the jubilee line. The station itself is one of the brightest and the escalators are not enclosed. Head up the escalators (2 flights) and you'll find yourself in the ticket area. Again, this is really bright and airy compared to some. Go through the ticket machines and take the stairs straight in front of you to exit. This has 2 advantages 1) no need to use the tunnels and 2) you exit to the most amazing view of Big Ben. There's also a fabulous Greggs in the station so reward yourself with a Belgian Bun before you leave 😀

I know you said you’ll be with people but could you (even if just one ear) listen to calming music / spoken word relaxation / breathing exercises? Remember to download beforehand so you don’t get ‘cut off’ when you go underground. I also recommend trying cbd oil and / or Rescue Remedy, even if only for the placebo effect. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll be fine and so pleased with yourself for managing it!

I also recommend downloading and using the CityMapper app as it’ll tell you how long walking distances are, what part of the train (front / middle / back) is best etc - might help you feel more in control.

I am terrified of the tube and so have become pretty adept at navigating town without it. Buses really are so much better than they used to be.

Where are you OP to help work out dive more gentle exposure for you? Earls Court in is good in District Line as you're in and out, stations aren't very deep and they aren't very far apart. Stations are often in the open too.

I would avoid Victoria line as it's so deep and as the stations are further artistry trains often show down/stop in tunnels just waiting for the train in front to leave the station. Jubilee, Northern and Cream also make funny sounds as they're small and deep. And not much headroom on the trains

I used to look at a list of the distances between stains on each line to help me decide whether I could brave it, I figured even if the trains did stop half way it was only x far to walk to nearest station. I know I'm weird.

I find playing Candy Crush or similar really helpful, need to concentrate a bit but can stroll keep an ear/eye on what's going on. Or perhaps just get a good podcast and headphones and be done.

Good luck

@Chocalata

Hello again! Feeling really proud of myself as I have managed Paddington to Euston sq, then had a walk around the stations at Euston station and Mornington Crescent (I found that station terrifying but managed to get down the stairs and back up again which I am taking as a win even though I didn’t get on a train.) I want to try Baker Street to Westminster on the grey Jubilee line as my next step but I don’t want to over do it and freak myself out. Is it a deep underground? is Baker Street a claustrophobic station? Is it a long walk down to the Jubilee line? Does Baker Street have a big escalator? Is Westminster a claustrophobic station? Eek - panicking already. thanks for all your support. I think people would laugh at me in ‘real life’ if they knew I was so proud of managing such a small first step! X

Get you!!

I'm also feeling pretty proud of myself at the moment. We did a trip to London over the weekend and I managed the Uber boat (LOVED IT!!), DLR for a couple of stops a couple of times and even managed two one stop tube trips. The tube wasn't my favourite, but I'm so proud of myself for even getting on it!

@familyissues12345
oh wow get you!!! So many congrats. Bet you had nice weather too? It is my dream to just be able to pop in to London and enjoy it without thinking of how I travel around but I think I might be a LONG way from that! Baby steps for us all x

@Matchingcollarandcuffs
I totally get the measuring the distance thing! I need to know all details before I brave a next step.x

@ThreeB you legend! That is exactly the info that helps me - if I can practice visualise it then I find I panic less. I will let you know if I manage it. X

@bimbimbap thank you, great advice. I just got some air pods for a birthday so maybe I can just tell them I am listening to something calming! X

Well done on your first trip! I know just how you feel as I am claustrophobic and also hate the v long escalators on the tube. I went to Baker St recently, it felt pretty open to me and as far as I remember no escalators! Good luck OP x

@Chocalata

@familyissues12345 oh wow get you!!! So many congrats. Bet you had nice weather too? It is my dream to just be able to pop in to London and enjoy it without thinking of how I travel around but I think I might be a LONG way from that! Baby steps for us all x

Honestly, it feels amazing. London used to be my favourite place to visit, until panic attacks and anxiety stopped it about 10 years ago. We don't live that far from it either, so now feels like we can start to visit again . It'll be baby steps, we will probably have to drive closer before I can manage the hour train journey from home, but we're going to work on it!

Good look Chocolate, you can do this!!

I would tell your colleagues. I once had a panic attack just before I did a big presentation and told my deputy and she was LOVELY to me and it really, really helped.

So many people get panic attacks, so many, and if they don't, they will know someone who does, so just say it and you will feel so much better. Fears aired become instantly less scary.