Really desperate for advice.

[anebt]

I suffer from claustrophobia. I get panic attacks on the hairdresser's chair, the optometrist machine where you are "tied" down with your chin on a platform, and panoramic x-ray machines in the dentist. I get very panicky when I wear a motorcycle helmet.

In other words, anything too close to my face and I feel trapped and terrified.
I cannot sleep in small bedrooms and hate walls that are too close to the bed.

Today I had a cleaning. The hygienist was comforting, but I felt panicky. I thought she said I was going to have a dental dam put on, and I freaked out. It was just the "bib," and it wasn't tight.

How do I deal with this? I don't want to look like a fool telling them this. I go next week for a root canal and crown. I don't want anything too close and I am scared that I will panic so much that all the instruments and material will leap into the air while I literally run out of the place.

Thank you very much.

 

[connab]

I am not clostophobic, but I am a scared to death of the dentist and the way I deal is Halcion. Get a percription for it and you will be fine. I have tried valuim but that didnt work for me, but Halcion is heaven sent. I never worry while I am in the chair anymore(I still hate the thought of it ).

 

[letsconnect]

Hi anebt ,
you certainly wouldn't look like a fool telling them about your claustrophobia. Many people have similar fears, and many people will have been in situations where they felt claustrophobic.

I think you need to let them know how you feel. Not only will this make it easier on them to understand what's going on in case you do panic, but it may also make things easier for you by not having to pretend that you're fine when you're not. This may take a lot of the pressure away.

I hope everything will go well for you this week