Do I have some type of phobia?

Question

I hate being in crowded and small places... I do not "freak out" or anything, but I feel EXTREMELY uncomfortable and kind of paranoid when I am a big crowd... This includes malls... I hate going to the mall when I know that the big crowd is out... I usually try to avoid crowds of people... I also can not stay in a car for more than 20 mins... I begin to feel uncomfortable and anxious.

But isn't claustrophobia more of a "panic" attack? I just feel uneasy...

My psychologist diagnosed me as having GED... I thought that it went away... ?

Answer 1

could just be simple anxiety, some of it may be real, someo f it may be self induced by you getting yourself worked up and worrying/dreading the situations that make you uncomfortable. It could be that you have what is termed social anxiety. it is fairly common and easily treated. Talk to your doctor.

You admit that you feel anxious so my ideas are probably not to far off-base.

Answer 2

It sounds more like you had some sort of an experience which had you feeling anxious in crowded places when you were younger that they create an undesirable feeling to this day. If you had a phobia in its true form that just the thought of having to go out and face the crowds would have you feeling unable to move and panicky without actually experiencing the crowds. However you should still see a professional as fear in any form, not necessarily a phobia, can make it really difficult to enjoy things most take fr granted. Good luck

Answer 3

Claustrophobia maybe...
By definition, claustrophobia is an abnormal fear of being in narrow or enclosed spaces.
That sounds kind of what you have.
Even the crowds... It sounds like you feel cramped and enclosed when you're in a crowd.
Well, whatever it is, I hope you find out and find some way to fix it... It's not fun to have phobias at all...

Answer 4

Yeah, I would think you have some sort of phobia. If you woudn't have said the 20 mins in the car then I would just say you are extreme.

I have a friend that will just not go to the mall or even movies because of the crowd. I would say he has a borderline phobia.

Answer 5

I feel the same way about crowds. I dont have a phobia...I just hate crowds. As far as not being able to sit in a car for more than 20 mins...I think your just restless!

Answer 6

Enochlophobia - fear of crowds. It sounds like you have a combination of claustrophobia and enochlophobia, which are similar fears. A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy known as "exposure therapy" is a very useful treatment for phobias. It involves helping patients become gradually more comfortable with situations that frighten them. Relaxation and breathing techniques are also helpful.

Answer 7

I have a different take on this...I am the same way.

Look up...Empathic

You may be extra sensitve to negative vibes around you.

When I am in large crowdes..its like the noise level is alot higher than it truely is. You just absorb negative energy more easily than others.

Empathy (from the Greek εμπάθεια, "to make suffer") is commonly defined as one's ability to recognize, perceive and directly experientially feel the emotion of another. As the states of mind, beliefs, and desires of others are intertwined with their emotions, one with empathy for another may often be able to more effectively define another's modes of thought and mood. Empathy is often characterized as the ability to "put oneself into another's shoes", or experiencing the outlook or emotions of another being within oneself, a sort of emotional resonance.

Answer 8

You do,but you seem to be handling it well, as long as it does not get to the point were you altogether going to these places. You are not alone millions of people feel the same as you, although i would suggest going to a therapist that handles phobias, most likely after a few sessions you will be cured of your phobia, good luck and God Bless.

Answer 9

you probably have claustrophobia. Your afraid of small places and especially afraid of large crowds in small places. I don't know much about fixing it but it is definently something to talk about with a therapist or your friends.

Answer 10

Not a phobia. A phobia is an irrational fear that causes severe anxiety. It sounds like you have some anxiety, but you're not holed up in your house talking to the radiator yet. That's good.