Submitted by Fred on

Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia
Post Date
Categories
Lifestyle
Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia is defined as an intense, irrational fear of enclosed or confined spaces, often triggering anxiety, or panic attack attacks, which can occur in places like elevators, tunnels, or crowded areas. 

I must admit that I am a sufferer of claustrophobia and recently I had reason to undergo a PET scan. 

The closest I can analogize, was like leading the lambs to the slaughter. I had no idea that the scan involved an MRI like tunnel and, after an hour of chemical preparation, I was shown into a room where I encountered a torpedo shaped funnel, and was told that the scan would occur therein.

With my history and propensity, my anxiety began to build, and when I tried it out, I was cautioned that my arms had to be restrained to avoid movement.

No way!

Needless to say, I bolted and now I face a return engagement. I will be better prepared mentally and physically for a fear I know I must conquer.

Comments

Submitted by Louis Petrone (not verified) on Fri, 02/20/2026 - 05:43

Permalink

I have done several over the years. The worst of the worst. I too could not go through with my first. Had to return another day. My present system is to close my eyes. Never open. Count mentally to 10,000. If still not done, think of sex.

Good luck!

Submitted by Justin Thompson (not verified) on Fri, 02/20/2026 - 09:18

Permalink

I'm so sorry you went through that, Fred. As if this whole thing isn't unnerving enough.
One wonders why anxieties have to be compounded my such levels of discomfort from people that re suppose to ease our pain, but I guess we have to look at it and think, 'if there were a better way we'd probably have it'.
I'm saluting your courage to return with a different perspective.
Cheers!

Submitted by Mitch Tublin (not verified) on Fri, 02/20/2026 - 09:48

Permalink

Just think -
"If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine"

Rick Raymond

I, too, get it.  Sometimes a closed-in feeling overflows within.  More so, though, heights.   Once, I was with my family walking across a high bridge over the Colorado River.  I would not get off the line in the middle of the road because I was sure the bridge would do something like a hiccup, throwing me into the air and over the side.

Fred Klein


Free at last, thank God, Almighty free at last thanks to two lorazepam and my Michael Smithsheperdd me, and played dark side of the moon and  I came out wanting to play too. Do you get it? I get it and I'm happy I got it.

Add new comment

About text formats

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.