I have a severe phobia of elevators. What is the best way to overcome this?

Answer 1

Stairs

Answer 2

Try riding with someone you know. I work in a hospital and I'm on elevators all night. In 28 years I got stuck once. No problem, maintenance was in contact by the phone all elevators have. The other employee that was with me was flipping out and couldn't understand how I could be so calm. For me it gave me some time to just stop and relax a few minutes. You can overcome this or your going to be in great physical shape by using the stairs.

Answer 3

go get like a big box cut a hole in the top and put a work light it . go inside house make some sandwiched and a book or newspaper and a radio . lift up box get inside turn on radio eat sandwiches listen to radio and read the reading is it most important part . next time you go into an elevator you bring a paper or a book look around see everyone else reading their nervous too so read it will be over before you know it

Answer 4

There are herbs and supplements for anxiety. However, I want to be honest with you. When you say your panic is severe, I am not sure these remedies will help enough by themselves. You should try to see a nutrititionist, herbalist, doctor, etc. who knows a LOT about working with panic. See a professional. Don't rely on jerks like me on YA :-) During a panic attack, breathing in and out of a paper bag can help. There is a medical reason for this. It is not just a folktale. In general, exercise can help with anxiety/panic. If there is a psychological cause for your panic, seeing a therapist might help. If the panic is severe, you might temporarily need prescription meds from a psychiatrist. Just keep the dose to a minimum, and don't stay on them too long. The anti-anxiety herbs include valerian root, kava kava, chamomile, hops, passion flower, skullcap. Probably, valerian root and kava kava are the best. You have to keep in mind that it can take a few weeks for some herbs (including valerian) to build up in your system before they work. You can also try 5-HTP, trytophan, or GABA. St. John's wort is usually for mild depression, but it might help a little. It also takes 2-4 weeks to kick in. Possibly omega 3 oils can help. Here are some tips from a letter I wrote about insomnia. Some ideas below might help. A warm bath is a great way to relax to help you to sleep. If you can’t take a bath, you can give yourself a foot massage with slightly warm massage oil, sesame oil, or castor oil from a health food store. What was very helpful to me, especially when my mind was racing, was to lie in bed and listen to relaxation CDs, especially those that contain someone speaking with relaxing music in the background. Many of these CDs are available on eBay for very low prices. A helpful technique is to relax your body one part at a time. So you could relax your feet, your lower legs, upper legs, moving up from your lower belly up to your chest, etc., until your whole body is relaxed. Of course, guided relaxation methods can help, imagining yourself in the country, the beach, or whatever is most soothing to you.

Answer 5

Take the elevator one floor. Try to do this every day, Then up it to two floors, etc. Bring something to read, or write yr shopping list. If it's really bad, see a shrink B4 it takes over yr life.

Answer 6

I would suggest that ye seek phychotherapy from a liscenced Psycholigist.. Hypnotherapy might help too..... perhaps a past even might have triggered her mind to utilize a defence mechanism that changes memories into a physical fear.. in yer case, fear of elevators.

Answer 7

I used to have the same thing, mostly about getting locked in until my older brother pointed out escape hatches in the roof. That was 35 years ago, and I got over it, until codes changed and they no longer put hatches in, or it is locked from the outside. Now I take the stairs.

Answer 8

Use the stairs. It is very rare to get stuck between floors on stairs. It is a good way to sneak in some exercise as well.

Answer 9

Go to a therapist to find out why--what triggered it...and work to get past that.

Answer 10

Have relations in one, you'll love from there on. If you need further assistance just email me.