Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been doing some research to find any mention of an anxiety-attack variation I often have, but I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for. Perhaps someone else here might have an idea.  Let me explain this variation. Although I am not clausterphobic (pardon spelling) – I have no problem in tight spaces, per se – I run into very uncomfortable anxiety in specific situations that involve people behind in somewhat close proximity (mainly people I don’t know). Some examples are sitting in a theater seat, or any middle or aisle seat on a plane.  If I’m in an arena or theater, I must sit in the last row, else I get the chills, cold sweat, and a very uncomfortable feeling coupled with the urge to stand up and move somewhere else. If there are empty rows behind me, there is no problem.  In planes, I am generally fine if I sit in a window seat, even on a full flight.  I can tolerate an aisle seat if no other seats behind me (unless empty). So I cannot find reference to this sort of anxiety, or how to control it.  It doesn’t seem to fit any of the more common themes.

Oh my god–I thought I was the only one with this!  I call it "gunslinger syndrome" b/c I always have to have my back to the wall, so to speak.  It’s the same for me everyplace I go–I must have the window seat in the airplane, sit in the last row in the theater, sit facing the other people in a restaurant (if possible).  I joke that I was a gunslinger in a former life.  Do you also have to be able to see the door in a restaurant or other public place? I wish I knew what causes it and what the term for it is.  But I’m relieved to know that someone else feels the same way. Dawn

Response:

Hi Ralston, I have agoraphobia and have problems in some of the situations you mention. I avoid cinemas or theatres but when I sit in a venue I choose an aisle seat, preferably towards the back. This is to afford me an easy exit if necessary, and to prevent me feeling closed in. I try to sit in the aisle seat of a plane for the same reason. Have you thought about what concerns you about people being behind you? What do you fear might happen? love Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been doing some research to find any mention of an anxiety-attack variation I often have, but I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for. Perhaps someone else here might have an idea.  Let me explain this variation. Although I am not clausterphobic (pardon spelling) – I have no problem in tight spaces, per se – I run into very uncomfortable anxiety in specific situations that involve people behind in somewhat close proximity (mainly people I don’t know). Some examples are sitting in a theater seat, or any middle or aisle seat on a plane.  If I’m in an arena or theater, I must sit in the last row, else I get the chills, cold sweat, and a very uncomfortable feeling coupled with the urge to stand up and move somewhere else. If there are empty rows behind me, there is no problem.  In planes, I am generally fine if I sit in a window seat, even on a full flight.  I can tolerate an aisle seat if no other seats behind me (unless empty). So I cannot find reference to this sort of anxiety, or how to control it.  It doesn’t seem to fit any of the more common themes.

Response:

Me too! I think of it as the "emergency exit" plan.  I need to be able to get out asap in case something happens. And getting out with the minimal disturbance to others, so I sit at the back and aisle ends etc. I have GAD, so I worry about everything. And I’m social phobic – dont want to look stupid or draw attention to myself if i can help it

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Ralston, I have agoraphobia and have problems in some of the situations you mention. I avoid cinemas or theatres but when I sit in a venue I choose an aisle seat, preferably towards the back. This is to afford me an easy exit if necessary, and to prevent me feeling closed in. I try to sit in the aisle seat of a plane for the same reason. Have you thought about what concerns you about people being behind you? What do you fear might happen? love Meryl I’ve been doing some research to find any mention of an anxiety-attack variation I often have, but I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for. Perhaps someone else here might have an idea.  Let me explain this variation. Although I am not clausterphobic (pardon spelling) – I have no problem in tight spaces, per se – I run into very uncomfortable anxiety in specific situations that involve people behind in somewhat close proximity (mainly people I don’t know). Some examples are sitting in a theater seat, or any middle or aisle seat on a plane.  If I’m in an arena or theater, I must sit in the last row, else I get the chills, cold sweat, and a very uncomfortable feeling coupled with the urge to stand up and move somewhere else. If there are empty rows behind me, there is no problem.  In planes, I am generally fine if I sit in a window seat, even on a full flight.  I can tolerate an aisle seat if no other seats behind me (unless empty). So I cannot find reference to this sort of anxiety, or how to control it.  It doesn’t seem to fit any of the more common themes.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been doing some research to find any mention of an anxiety-attack variation I often have, but I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for. Perhaps someone else here might have an idea.  Let me explain this variation. Although I am not clausterphobic (pardon spelling) – I have no problem in tight spaces, per se – I run into very uncomfortable anxiety in specific situations that involve people behind in somewhat close proximity (mainly people I don’t know). Some examples are sitting in a theater seat, or any middle or aisle seat on a plane.  If I’m in an arena or theater, I must sit in the last row, else I get the chills, cold sweat, and a very uncomfortable feeling coupled with the urge to stand up and move somewhere else. If there are empty rows behind me, there is no problem.  In planes, I am generally fine if I sit in a window seat, even on a full flight.  I can tolerate an aisle seat if no other seats behind me (unless empty). So I cannot find reference to this sort of anxiety, or how to control it.  It doesn’t seem to fit any of the more common themes.

I have had these feelings at times but not as intense as you describe. Sometimes I want to be near people, other times I prefer to be away and on my own. Even if it doesn’t fit into the common variety anxiety symptoms it doesn’t mean you can’t work through it using therapy. Have you tried Cognitive behavioural therapy? Are you taking any medication to alleviate the anxiety? It is not easy to understand why we think and behave the way we do. You have identified what triggers your anxiety and that is a good start. I hope you have a good anxiety therapist to help you manage the anx. Vanessa :)

Response:

I’ve been doing some research to find any mention of an anxiety-attack variation I often have, but I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for. Perhaps someone else here might have an idea.  Let me explain this variation. Although I am not clausterphobic (pardon spelling) – I have no problem in tight spaces, per se – I run into very uncomfortable anxiety in specific situations that involve people behind in somewhat close proximity (mainly people I don’t know). Some examples are sitting in a theater seat, or any middle or aisle seat on a plane.  If I’m in an arena or theater, I must sit in the last row, else I get the chills, cold sweat, and a very uncomfortable feeling coupled with the urge to stand up and move somewhere else. If there are empty rows behind me, there is no problem.  In planes, I am generally fine if I sit in a window seat, even on a full flight.  I can tolerate an aisle seat if no other seats behind me (unless empty). So I cannot find reference to this sort of anxiety, or how to control it.  It doesn’t seem to fit any of the more common themes.

Response: