Dietary solutions to claustrophobia?

jofjltncb6
jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I have developed claustrophobia as an adult. Never had any problems as a child. However, now when in an enclosed space like an MRI or even just *thinking about* being in an enclosed space, I freak out. Hyperventilating, can't breathe level of freaking out. (I had to hit the "panic" button on a procedure last year.) Even thinking about it while trying to fall asleep at night causes me anxiety. It even hits me while swimming underwater or in the middle of a particularly hard workout when I'm struggling to catch my breath.

So anyhow, my question is, would something like a gluten free diet help with this?
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Replies

  • LePetitCochon
    LePetitCochon Posts: 284
    yes
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    Nuts....get some.
  • Cadori
    Cadori Posts: 4,810 Member
    Yes. It's a chapter in "Wheat Bellies".
  • InForBacon
    InForBacon Posts: 1,508 Member
    Might want to get rid of the lactose too. The effects of lactose on the body can make you not want to be in small enclosed areas as well.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    I used to be afraid of small enclosed spaces, like freezers or fridges. When I dropped dairy out of my diet, meaning I didn't need to use a fridge as much, I suddenly wasn't as afraid.

    Try dropping dairy.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Wait. What? I though Carbs were the cause of anxiety. How many times have you heard a mom say, "Oh, no Joffie had too much sugar, now he'll be awake all night."

    Try low carb, first.
  • TheBeerRunner
    TheBeerRunner Posts: 2,777 Member
    Cut down on the caffeine and GMO products. I heard that too many GMOs can mess with your brain and make you all crazy.
  • ZoeLifts
    ZoeLifts Posts: 10,347 Member
    Wait. What? I though Carbs were the cause of anxiety. How many times have you heard a mom say, "Oh, no Joffie had too much sugar, now he'll be awake all night."

    Try low carb, first.

    I would agree with CMR, here. The problem you are describing does seem to lean towards a carb issue, not gluten.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Maybe you just really need to poo. Perhaps holding it in might be causing you to psychologically deflect and think it is claustrophobia instead
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    I forgot to add...

    Please, I only want to hear from people who have direct experience with this specific problem and this specific solution.

    The rest of you all are being bullies...

    ...and meanies...

    ...and you think your smart but your not.


    (I'd go hide myself under a blanket in the corner, but...well, you know...

    ...that whole blanket over my head thing.

    STOP LAUGHING! It's not funny!!! :mad: )
  • CookNLift
    CookNLift Posts: 3,660 Member
    Cage Free / Free Range Chicken...

    Oh wait....you were talking about you. No idea.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    I heard that cross fit causes claustrophobia
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    :huh:
  • Mainebikerchick
    Mainebikerchick Posts: 1,573 Member
    I forgot to add...

    Please, I only want to hear from people who have direct experience with this specific problem and this specific solution.

    The rest of you all are being bullies...

    ...and meanies...

    ...and you think your smart but your not.


    (I'd go hide myself under a blanket in the corner, but...well, you know...

    ...that whole blanket over my head thing.

    STOP LAUGHING! It's not funny!!! :mad: )

    Sorry....but...it kinda IS funny! :laugh:
  • ron2e
    ron2e Posts: 606
    I think losing weight would help you. I've found the bigger I get the more claustrophobic I get and I dream about having to get through small places.. It's got a whole lot better since I lost 50+ lbs!
  • kittyhasclaws
    kittyhasclaws Posts: 446 Member
    The blood of a virgin nerd is the only cure. And it has to be fresh, so plan on having a few of the lads on hand for blood letting as you will need to drink the blood with some lemon juice, cayenne and maple syrup 9 times daily.
  • Mrskatie
    Mrskatie Posts: 27 Member
    http://blogs.menshealth.com/health-headlines/the-end-of-claustrophobia/2011/04/23
  • BrainyBurro
    BrainyBurro Posts: 6,129 Member
    is this real life?

    is-this-real-life-o.gif
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    There is always medication. Lots of good pharmaceuticals out there. I don't believe in that approach, but I guess it would be worth a try.
    http://blogs.menshealth.com/health-headlines/the-end-of-claustrophobia/2011/04/23

    ^^This is actually a really good article. However, it could mean you have to get a lot of MRIs to desensitize yourself. That could get expensive. The breathing thing is standard CBT for anxiety, too.

  • Siobhan1983
    Siobhan1983 Posts: 24
    The blood of a virgin nerd is the only cure. And it has to be fresh, so plan on having a few of the lads on hand for blood letting as you will need to drink the blood with some lemon juice, cayenne and maple syrup 9 times daily.

    Ya...what he said. LOL
  • kgraves3
    kgraves3 Posts: 28 Member
    Please speak with a doctor or therapist about this. Don't make any drastic lifestyle changes (i.e. eliminating gluten or dairy) without first speaking with a doctor, dietician, or some other licensed health professional.
  • ZoeLifts
    ZoeLifts Posts: 10,347 Member
    Please speak with a doctor or therapist about this. Don't make any drastic lifestyle changes (i.e. eliminating gluten or dairy) without first speaking with a doctor, dietician, or some other licensed health professional.

    I think that speaking to a doctor might be more drastic than seeking some sort of dietary solution, don't you? You do know that doctors like to put people into confined spaces for tests any chance they get and I, for one, do not see how that is going to help the OP. Surely a diet change can fix this problem, it seems to help so many others.
  • Melissa22G
    Melissa22G Posts: 847 Member
    :yawn:
  • kgraves3
    kgraves3 Posts: 28 Member
    Please speak with a doctor or therapist about this. Don't make any drastic lifestyle changes (i.e. eliminating gluten or dairy) without first speaking with a doctor, dietician, or some other licensed health professional.

    I think that speaking to a doctor might be more drastic than seeking some sort of dietary solution, don't you? You do know that doctors like to put people into confined spaces for tests any chance they get and I, for one, do not see how that is going to help the OP. Surely a diet change can fix this problem, it seems to help so many others.

    No, no and no. First of all, I mean speak with a doctor or dietician for advice on how to make sure OP will continue to receive adequate nutrition while making such a big dietary change. I don't mean to be rude here, and I'm sure you only mean well, but unless you are a doctor, dietician, nutritionist, etc., you really shouldn't be telling people to make big changes to the way they eat (as in cutting out food groups), especially if your advice simply consists of "yes! do it!"

    Just because someone works/has worked for one person, does not mean that it will be effective or even safe for another person.
  • Cadori
    Cadori Posts: 4,810 Member
    :yawn:

    While that will pop ears, it will not help with claustrophobia.
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Please speak with a doctor or therapist about this. Don't make any drastic lifestyle changes (i.e. eliminating gluten or dairy) without first speaking with a doctor, dietician, or some other licensed health professional.

    I think that speaking to a doctor might be more drastic than seeking some sort of dietary solution, don't you? You do know that doctors like to put people into confined spaces for tests any chance they get and I, for one, do not see how that is going to help the OP. Surely a diet change can fix this problem, it seems to help so many others.

    No, no and no. First of all, I mean speak with a doctor or dietician for advice on how to make sure OP will continue to receive adequate nutrition while making such a big dietary change. I don't mean to be rude here, and I'm sure you only mean well, but unless you are a doctor, dietician, nutritionist, etc., you really shouldn't be telling people to make big changes to the way they eat (as in cutting out food groups), especially if your advice simply consists of "yes! do it!"

    Just because someone works/has worked for one person, does not mean that it will be effective or even safe for another person.

    So eliminating gluten is a "big dietary change" and may lead to inadequate nutrition??? Is there a RDA amount of gluten I need to make sure I'm eating every day? Is this something we can track on MFP?

    I totally agree...I don't want end up gluten deficient. That sounds bad.
  • ZoeLifts
    ZoeLifts Posts: 10,347 Member
    Please speak with a doctor or therapist about this. Don't make any drastic lifestyle changes (i.e. eliminating gluten or dairy) without first speaking with a doctor, dietician, or some other licensed health professional.

    I think that speaking to a doctor might be more drastic than seeking some sort of dietary solution, don't you? You do know that doctors like to put people into confined spaces for tests any chance they get and I, for one, do not see how that is going to help the OP. Surely a diet change can fix this problem, it seems to help so many others.

    No, no and no. First of all, I mean speak with a doctor or dietician for advice on how to make sure OP will continue to receive adequate nutrition while making such a big dietary change. I don't mean to be rude here, and I'm sure you only mean well, but unless you are a doctor, dietician, nutritionist, etc., you really shouldn't be telling people to make big changes to the way they eat (as in cutting out food groups), especially if your advice simply consists of "yes! do it!"

    Just because someone works/has worked for one person, does not mean that it will be effective or even safe for another person.

    But surely OP knows his own body well enough to know if this might require a dietary solution rather than an expensive doctor's visit? I mean, it is important that we listen to our bodies and seek a natural solution first before throwing a bunch of chemicals at it that can do more harm than good in the long run.
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    There is always medication. Lots of good pharmaceuticals out there. I don't believe in that approach, but I guess it would be worth a try.
    http://blogs.menshealth.com/health-headlines/the-end-of-claustrophobia/2011/04/23

    ^^This is actually a really good article. However, it could mean you have to get a lot of MRIs to desensitize yourself. That could get expensive. The breathing thing is standard CBT for anxiety, too.



    OR just buy a new microwave or TV or something and fashion a tunnel out of the box-- free pretend MRI machine! It's even more realistic if you get a recording of chaotic, percussive music and blast that while you're in there.
  • maybeazure
    maybeazure Posts: 301 Member
    I have never heard of any dietary treatments for any kind of phobias. The generally approved and effective treatment for any phobia is gradual exposure (with relaxation training) to whatever you are afraid of, and it is best to do that exposure under the supervision of a mental health professional.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    There is always medication. Lots of good pharmaceuticals out there. I don't believe in that approach, but I guess it would be worth a try.
    http://blogs.menshealth.com/health-headlines/the-end-of-claustrophobia/2011/04/23

    ^^This is actually a really good article. However, it could mean you have to get a lot of MRIs to desensitize yourself. That could get expensive. The breathing thing is standard CBT for anxiety, too.



    OR just buy a new microwave or TV or something and fashion a tunnel out of the box-- free pretend MRI machine! It's even more realistic if you get a recording of chaotic, percussive music and blast that while you're in there.

    He might like that idea! Who doesn't want a new TV?

    I haven't had an MRI in years. What is that music you are talking about? Do they play music while you are in them? Or are they noisy these days?

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