Does Asthma Cause Claustrophobia?

I am asthmatic and I am claustrophobic. Does being asthmatic necessarily mean that you will also suffer from claustrophobia? Maybe. I read about this in Prevention magazine. Recent studies seem to show that there is a surprising connection between asthma and psychological problems, namely depression and anxiety. If you have ever been in a situation where you have not been able to breathe, it is not difficult for the mind to extrapolate, “small place, no air.” In the last year, unfortunately, I have had a few anxiety attacks caused by asthma. For example, during our trip to Russia I acquired some error. When we got back I was sick for a good 6 weeks with a cough, sinus problems, etc. Then the cough aggravates the asthma. I go to see my allergist, I take all kinds of things and I still have trouble breathing. One night I wake up sweating and I’m out of breath.

I tried not to panic. I was able to slow my breathing and get out of it. But it was awful as hell. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have a total panic attack. But, back to asthma and claustrophobia. I tried to overcome the phobia. A few years ago while we were in Rome (oh, another vacation dripper), we decided to go to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica. Now if you’ve ever been to these ancient churches, you can only assume that the people who built them must have been 5’5 “and 150 pounds because all the walkways are so narrow and low. Try (my mantra is God so put on this earth, I want to see it.) It was July and the peak tourist season. As we begin to climb, you are walking in a spiral. So you really only see the butt of people in front of you. There are hundreds of people in front of you. me and hundreds behind me.

There is no escape! My dear, dear husband. How I love him so much. But what does he say? “This can’t be very good for your claustrophobia.” Script: The wife leans back and strangles the husband. Life: “I love you too dear.” As you get closer to the top of the dome, it now leans to the right because the ladder mimics the dome. Help !!! Fortunately, every few steps there was a small crack in a window. He would stick his head out the window, take a deep breath, and carry on. I made it to the top! Congratulations! Now to go back down … Over the years, I have climbed the Great Pyramid of Giza, gone underground in the Valley of the Kings, gone to the caves of Borneo (the great ones) and I did a cat scan. I can fight him, but I can’t defeat him.

For the past 5 years I have been receiving allergy shots. My asthma is almost, ALMOST, under control. And I’ve actually gotten better at being in small places.But, any movie or TV show that has a person locked in a room, a room without a window, or, God forbid, look Kill bill, forget this. I can not look. If a terrorist wanted information from me, just threaten to put me in a small windowless cell and hold my rescue inhaler … I’ll talk, I’ll talk! Oh and no, no diving. Wrapped in water and breathing through a small tube? I do not think so …