I think my claustrophobia began when I was trapped in a drainage sewer a few months after we moved into a new housing development when I was very young. My fear of being trapped consequently increased, as well as the beginning of my PSTD, due to the continuous bullying of older and bigger children for about the next four years.
Growing up in an all White town in the early 50's, fighting usually consisted of the bigger kid throwing the little kid to the ground, then pinning his shoulders with his knees. This went on for about four years, until I grew too big for these creeps to lord it over me anymore. The truth is, I almost killed two of my worst tormentors by curbing their heads against cement blocks, which caused a whole new set of problems.
It was during this period that I noticed I couldn't concentrate enough to retain anything that I read, and consequently, even with a 150 IQ, I did poorly in school. It wasn't until years later that I realized I had also developed an odd ( presumably ) type of claustrophobia. Unlike most people with this problem, I am fine in elevators and small rooms, but I become hysterical if something or someone is hovering over me. MRI's are impossible and sexual positions have been somewhat awkward for any woman who attempts to be sexually dominant. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this set of circumstances, or has noticed that PTSD claustrophobia may be related?
Growing up in an all White town in the early 50's, fighting usually consisted of the bigger kid throwing the little kid to the ground, then pinning his shoulders with his knees. This went on for about four years, until I grew too big for these creeps to lord it over me anymore. The truth is, I almost killed two of my worst tormentors by curbing their heads against cement blocks, which caused a whole new set of problems.
It was during this period that I noticed I couldn't concentrate enough to retain anything that I read, and consequently, even with a 150 IQ, I did poorly in school. It wasn't until years later that I realized I had also developed an odd ( presumably ) type of claustrophobia. Unlike most people with this problem, I am fine in elevators and small rooms, but I become hysterical if something or someone is hovering over me. MRI's are impossible and sexual positions have been somewhat awkward for any woman who attempts to be sexually dominant. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this set of circumstances, or has noticed that PTSD claustrophobia may be related?