Surviving Claustrophobia, Agoraphobia, & Your Imagination

Presuming you are not, or no longer, in imminent danger such as “about to crash”, your mind is the biggest threat you need to overcome in most survival scenarios.

If you can gain control of your mind to overcome fear, panic, and your imagination, and begin thinking logically, your chances of survival go way up really fast.

In this article, we will discuss three scenarios where your mind is your biggest threat: surviving claustrophobia, agoraphobia, and your imagination in general.

Surviving Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia is defined in general terms as a “fear of being closed in” or “fear of being trapped in a small place”. Although more people “think” they are claustrophobic than really are, most people become claustrophobic when they really are trapped in tight places like an underground or underwater cave with their shoulders wedged in place or even in a stuck elevator.

Surviving Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is more or less the opposite of claustrophobia; agoraphobia is a “fear of open spaces” (or public places). Agoraphobia is less common than claustrophobia.

Finally, any time you are stuck or stranded in a scenario with which you are unfamiliar or not in control, your imagination can begin to run wild with fears of what could happen or might not happen.

Claustrophobia is a very unpleasant feeling. It makes you panic; you want to run, scream, or fight. You can work yourself into a counter-productive frenzy before you know it. The best thing to do if you start to feel claustrophobic is to try to breathe deeply and relax. Try to think about what you have going for you … for example, you’re alive … you’re not injured (hopefully) … you can last for several days without food and water if you conserve your energy … help is probably on the way.

If you are genuinely constricted (such as wedged in a crawl space), try to wiggle yourself out the way you entered. Even if you can only move one shoulder forward or backward by a half inch, that can be enough to eventually work your way out.

If you are trapped in a closed-in space, but you are not trapped so you can’t move … check your pockets, backpack, etc. for useful items such as food, matches, a lighter, keys, nail file, etc. Try to scratch, dig, or signal your way (e.g., rap on a pipe with your key). Eventually, you will need a bathroom; if one is not available, find a hole or cover with rocks, trash, or clothing. If there is nothing else, make a sponge from clothing or newspapers.

If someone else with you is becoming claustrophobic, talk to them about the above concepts; restrain them if necessary to keep them from hurting themselves. Try to comfort and reassure them. Don’t slap them in the face or “knock them out” except as a last resort. However, actions that can break their current mindset, such as tossing water in their face, can be useful to regain their control and state of mind.

Agoraphobia can be accompanied by dizziness, nausea, and even fainting. Fainting can actually be useful, especially if it’s happening to someone else in your group. At least the victim will have peace for awhile and perhaps will be recovered by the time he or she awakens. Telling someone to “get over it” or “snap out of it” is useless at best.

If this happens to you or someone with you, the best thing to do is “get inside”. Go into the nearest closed space you can find … a shop, a closet, a bus, or even just put a book or magazine over your face … and try to relax. Once again, logical reasoning about what you have going for you can help regain control.

Surviving Your Imagination

The best thing to do if your imagination starts to run wild producing irrational fears (e.g., something in the dark is going to get you) is to remember most “unexplained” sounds have perfectly rational explanations … for example, houses, cars, and pretty much everything else makes creaks, knocking, squeaks, and other “creepy” noises as they adjust to changing temperatures. Even if it’s cold outside and has been cold all day long, a house will warm up and adjust in direct sunshine enough to re-adjust in the evening.

If you feel you are in a truly dangerous situation … such as in a dark city alley at night in a rough part of town … keep moving directly to “safe” well-lit areas and seek help. If you have a choice, cross the street to get away from run-down sides of the street, debris or vegetation where someone or something could hide. If you feel like someone is following you, walk on the centerline of well-lit streets; it’s not likely they will actually follow you.

If you are stranded and your imagination runs wild, re-direct your imagination to more constructive uses by asking yourself questions … “How can I create distress signals?”, “How can I start a fire for cooking, warmth, and protection?”, “What can I use for food or to hunt or catch food?”, etc.

If you can master your own mental state in a survival situation … calmly dealing with claustrophobia, agoraphobia, or simply your imagination … you will greatly improve your chances of survival.