Today, I learned I'm claustrophobic by having a raging oh-god-I'm-gonna-fucking-die panic attack while I was stuck inside an MRI scanner. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, while getting my MRI, I found out I had claustrophobia when I had a major panic attack and then was pulled out after only completing a single scan. I suffered through the other 10 because if that happened a second time, we'd have to reschedule after I took meds for it. I didn't even know I had claustrophobia. FML
Today, I had a panic attack while giving a presentation on how to breathe to avoid having panic attacks. FML
Today, I got stuck for a while in a hallway between two security doors due to a malfunction. I'm not claustrophobic, but I sure am sensitive to horrifying smells coming from a nearby bathroom stall. FML
Today, I had a panic attack. Not on a crowded train, or an airplane, or in school, or any of the expected places. It was in my yoga class, which my therapist recommended for me, while I was in a dead-body position. FML
Today, I had a panic attack because I was constipated. FML
Today, I was squeezed through an overly-crowded hallway down to my psychologist's. There, I sat in an overly-crowded waiting room to see him, next to an obese woman and an insane man. I finally entered the smaller-than-a-closet room. My reason for seeing a psychologist? Claustrophobia. FML
Today, as a last resort for my back problems, I tried acupuncture. After the needles were placed and the doctor had left, I couldn't move for 30 minutes. I had a panic attack. FML
Today, I finally told my boyfriend that I see a therapist every week because, amongst other things, I'm terrified of being locked in a room. He didn't believe me, so he locked me in the bathroom "for a laugh." I had a panic attack and passed out. FML
Today, I blanked and forgot to take out my piercing before going for my MRI, even though the nurses asked me multiple times to make sure I had no metal on me before entering, you know, the big machine made of massive electromagnets. The piercing was on my clitoris. FML
Today, I was in the bathroom at work. The lock on the stall door broke, and I couldn't open it. I was all alone and I started having a mini panic attack. After several minutes of frantically trying to fix the lock and hyperventilating, I realized I could just crawl under the door. FML
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Top comments
xsydneyx123 28
Oh no. I'm glad you're okay, OP. Coming from a person with severe claustrophobia, i know how much that sucks. I really hope they pulled you out and made sure we're okay. As a side note, you were being scanned for a reason so I hope everything is all right. Please do a follow up and let us know how everything is. (:
lexiieeex3 32
Hopefully they pulled you out and you're safe now! I can't imagine how terrifying that must be. Good luck OP!
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Comments (59)
Steffi3 40
On the bright side: it wasnt entirely closed? Hope you MRI had some positive news!
Kielnmsoftly 26
I think most people hate being in an enclosed space, especially for an extended period of time. I know it's after the fact for you but for anyone having an MRI in the future, don't focus on it. Just think of how annoying the sound is. Or try to make a song out of it. Helped me get over the space thing but I'm not claustrophobic so idk might just be something that helped me.
kieralumina 30
True, coping mechanisms may help at least a little. but not for everyone and not by much. for claustrophobia in a scanner I'd say close your eyes, breathe as calmly as you can, have a song you enjoy playing in your head, or visualize a nice spacious area and that you're just laying down out there. turn the sounds into something else in your head, but don't open your eyes. if you have tried this before how did it go for you?
VoldooPed 20
I had a panic attack whilst having a CT scan, I feel your pain.
opaqueentity 8
I have an MRI scanner at work and have stood in when projects were being tested and never used to have any problems despite being claustrophobic in other situations. Last time I went in though it changed and I started feeling a bit trapped. Even though you can get out easily enough you are reliant on someone else to do that for you so it's even worse. Hope the OP managed to get the scan done somehow.
LostInTheZone11 29
I've had 3 MRIs and several CTs, and I am lucky they don't bug me. I find closing my eyes and counting the sounds like musical beats helps relax the body and keeps your mind occupied.
nattlecakes 19
F your life. Seriously. As someone who has an anxiety disorder I can relate. Those really bad panic attacks are always so brutal and can make you WANT to die just as relief. I hope you stayed still so you wouldn't have to go through that again, and I wish you luck with your anxiety.
jsp16 24
I'm also claustrophobic :( I'm sorry u had that experience
Mightytall 35
It's common for that to happen in these things. I hope you're going to recover from that quickly. And don't let that incident take over and own you ... one panic attack doesn't make a phobia!!
butterfli_murt 3
that makes two of us :P
nickob96 25
My mom had a mri scan...she too thought she was going to die...thing is she's not claustrophobic...she said it's the loud banging and being in there that scared the living shit out of her