Elevators | Pad Patter 4.10.16

[scrapsandsass]

A couple of months ago, my uncle was stuck in an elevator (alone). He's not claustrophobic or one for drama, but he said it was quite unnerving. He was in there for over an hour because it was an after-hours situation where they had to get police dispatched and everything. Then, surprisingly, my hubby was stuck in an elevator a couple of weeks ago while heading back to work after lunch. He was also alone, but not too freaked out because it was only about 25 minutes. He did say it was weird and something he'd never thought would happen to him. Now I'm really paranoid about it because things happen in 3s. LOL. I'm claustrophobic. I think if I was alone, I'd be okay, but if it was even remotely crowded, I'd freak out. If there are too many people, I always wait for another rather than squish in. I can't handle that. I used to work on the 46th floor, so we'd have to take one express elevator that took you up the first 40, and then a second bank of elevators would take you the last floors. I hated every moment.

Have you ever been stuck in an elevator? Is it a fear of yours? Is there someone you'd want to be stuck in an elevator with? Have you ever snuck a kiss (or more) in an elevator?

 

[crystalbella77]

I used to be deathly afraid of elevators and I still am but I don't have panic attacks anymore in them so that's a win. It's one of my many many fears..I'm not claustrophobic...but I have severe fear of being trapped. IT's different than claustrophobia but a lot...but elevators are a part of it.

"Cleithrophobia is also known as clithrophobia or cleisiophobia. Thisphobia is sometimes confused with claustrophobia, which is a fear of being closed in small spaces. Both these phobias are forms of agoraphobia."

It's more afraid of not being able to escape. If my arms are even pinned down in any way I freak out. It's kinda like a circus act and hubby likes to show people. It causes an almost immediate panic attack when someone holds on to my arms. I was finally able to make peace with the fact that I will be able to eventually get out of an elevator so it doesn't feel like I am trapped as much anymore. If I ever got stuck in one though I would probably just pass out and die from the fear!

 

[lorryfach]

I've never been stuck more than a few minutes. Not long enough to get worried but not long to be boring. I don't think I'd be scared unless it was super crowded or something. I don't take elevators in abandoned buildings or anything, so it would get noticed and fixed.

 

[Kate W]

I also have agoraphobia, which includes the fear of being trapped. I avoid elevators if I can, but since having Daniel I have to pretend to be unafraid of these things, so I have to just bite the bullet!!

I would probably be ok if I was alone, I just don't like being squished with people, so I would probably have panic attack....

The worst elevator I have been in was a little cocoon-like one that went up the side of the St Loius Arch. That was a freaky experience! I might be mis-remembering, but it was tiny, like a little white egg, and you had to sit down in it. I don't know if they still have them or even if you can still go up the Arch, this was back in the 80s!!

 

[Tree City]

I'm not afraid of elevators per se, but I don't like old, rickety ones. I guess it's more a safety thing than a phobia. When I was in England, we stayed at this beautiful but old mansion-turned-hotel. The elevator was old and small, with a door you shut yourself... and it seemed like something that would have been in The Shining. You know, minus the creep factor lol. Some of us thought it was cool (we were a group of 16- to 18-year-olds), while others refused to even get on it at all.

But if I were alone and stuck in an elevator--and I felt safe, like it wasn't due to an earthquake or something--and I wasn't pressed for time, then I'd either try to read on my phone or take a nap.

 

[IntenseMagic]

I've never been stuck on an elevator, and I don't think it would bother me much unless I was going to be in there for a really long time. But I would probably be the one that didn't hit the ladies room before getting on

 

[jk703]

Never been stuck. I don't think it would bother me... unless I had to pee, there were a bunch of people or it was for a long time.

I am not comfortable in revolving doors. they freak me out, and I get worried I will get tangled somehow. I used to be afraid of escalators, but that has since eased, and I must hold on at all times. If I am with friends for a night out though, I avoid them. The fears pop back up and I take the stairs.

 

[KarenW]

When my daughter was little, she hit the emergency stop button in the lift, left us stranded between floors (this is Canberra so it was only a three floors high store). Didn't take long for them to fix it - was more embarrassed than panicked. And relieved no one else was in with us! Would hate to be there for long though.

 

[Dalis]

I was while in college doing my Master's Degree. I was in a crowded elevator which I think it's even worse for a claustrophobic like me! I almost never took that elevator because it was always crowded but that day I took it because they were painting the walls in the stairs. I kept screaming back to the fireman through the emergency button "to hurry up!" I made everyone take one step back so I was not touching anyone. I was LOOSING it after 20 mins! I was sweating horribly and almost passed out from anxiety. As soon as they started opening the door I was squeezing myself out. They kept saying I needed to wait, please..... I waited 20 mins in there that was enough for me. I squeezed out and ran to my classroom! It was a mess because they followed me and made me get out of the classroom to be "checked". I think they were ready to send me to a crazy house. Thank goodness my professor told them that I didn't want to go and that they could leave. They made me sign something for not being checked but I was not going out with them. I don't think I have ever been so rude to anyone in my life, but I was just "surviving" in my claustrophobic head! KWIM?

 

[Dalis]

I also have agoraphobia, which includes the fear of being trapped. I avoid elevators if I can, but since having Daniel I have to pretend to be unafraid of these things, so I have to just bite the bullet!!

I would probably be ok if I was alone, I just don't like being squished with people, so I would probably have panic attack....

The worst elevator I have been in was a little cocoon-like one that went up the side of the St Loius Arch. That was a freaky experience! I might be mis-remembering, but it was tiny, like a little white egg, and you had to sit down in it. I don't know if they still have them or even if you can still go up the Arch, this was back in the 80s!!

The things we do for our kids! I am terrified of heights! I went to the top of the Hancock Tower in Chicago because my daughter wanted to go with her friends. I was shaking through the entire elevator ride.

 

[Karen]

I've never been stuck in an elevator, but I don't think it would bother me if I was. I'd just use it as an excuse to sit and play on my phone or read for a while.

 

[Tree City]

I am not comfortable in revolving doors. they freak me out, and I get worried I will get tangled somehow.

Me too! They're the weirdest things, imo

 

[merank]

I'm not afraid of elevators but I've also never been stuck in one. I think I'd be okay but I'd probably freak out more if I was by myself and I was going to be stuck for a long time.

 

[scrappyjedi]

I'm not afraid of elevators, and I've never been stuck in one. I think I'd be okay being stuck for a while as long as my iPhone had a decent charge- I'd just plop down on the floor and read for a while.

Now, ski lifts? Don't get me started...I freak right out even when I'm *not* stuck on one!

 

[jesskab]

Ok, odd one out as usual. I love small spaces. I think I would be annoyed, not afraid. It would be unbearable if it was smelly or people talked too much.