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Quite frankly, I'm tired of it. I know I baby it, so to speak, by avoiding situations I know will trigger panic and it's been steadily worsening. Just thinking about being in a situation that will cause panic causes high anxiety, shaking, fast heartbeat, etc.

I've been reading through articles and most agree on exposure therapy, but just the idea of forcing myself to go forth with it causes anxiety. I feel that wave of panic without even being in the situation yet. Needless to say, my level of claustrophobia is high.

How have you or how have you seen claustrophobia overcome?

[Fr_Chuck]

There is not always a cure for everything, and forcing yourself can also make it worst.

What type of situations bother you and to what level.
Cure is often a over used word, at times it is learning to handle or deal with the issue, it will or may always bother you, but you learn to control or handle it.

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For instance, elevators terrify me. I avoid them, but if I absolutely MUST be in one my routine goes like this: walk straight back to the corner, don't look at the door close (I will panic much more to see the door close), hold onto the rail and close my eyes. Accompanying this is generally crying, shaking, fast heart rate, and fast breathing. To be honest, most of this begins with just the thought of going into the elevator. I would also refuse to go on an elevator without a person I am comfortable enough with to hold on to. So, for instance, if I were to go for an interview in a building with no available staircase, I would forego the interview due to my fear. I know it sounds irrational but I'd rather walk the other way than face that fear, especially alone.

It's not limited to elevators, it's really any space I wouldn't be able to get out of. Another example, I had to take a test in an enclosed room a few weeks ago. I sat down and once the door was closed I felt a wave of sheer panic. I tried to distract my mind with the task at hand but it was no use, my heart was racing. I had to ask that the door be left open in order to continue the test, but once it was I was fine. I even have to leave the door unlocked to porta-potties. Situations like that occur all the time and it's getting more and more frustrating that I can't do certain things without panicking. I want to rid myself of the fear but the thought of exposure therapy brings my anxiety sky high.

Otherwise, I'm a relaxed, level headed person. The things I do when in a panic are totally uncharacteristic.