Does Anyone Else's Fear Lie More In Being Unable to "Move/Escape" As Opposed to Small Spaces Themselves?

To explain this better.....I don't mind being in an elevator. I don't mind being in an airplane. I don't mind being in any tiny room as long as I have freedom of movement.

So in an airplane, obviously I can't get out of it at 30k feet....BUT as long as I can stand up and walk the aisle occasionally, I'm completely fine. That said, if I get a window seat, I start to panic.

Same situation with say an elevator....if I'm in there alone, or with one or two people, I'm perfectly fine. Even if it broke down, I think I'd be fine. As long as I could stretch my body and pace about even just a few feet. However, if I got into an elevator and then suddenly a huge crowd of people pushed in after me and I was stuck in the corner, I'll have a panic attack.

Even if I'm in a large restaurant, I can't sit against the wall in a booth if someone is seated next to me. Because I'm stuck unless they move. And obviously if someone is next to me in a booth it's a family member or friend, and all I have to do is ask them to let me stand up....I can't freely move. I have to ask them and wait....and even if I'm only waiting 10 seconds, that causes me to be anxious the entire time I'm seated during the meal.

I love rollercoasters. I go to theme parks regularly. But I absolutely hate being strapped into them. The thrill of the ride and my enjoyment of it takes my mind off it, but the few times I've been on a coaster that has broken down......IMMEDIATE panic attack. Because now I'm sitting there, and I'm trapped.

Just wondering if anyone else is similar in this way?

Posted Mar 6, 2026, 5:32 PM UTC

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