Hi, I can somewhat relate. I can get a mild case of vertigo when riding in an elevator. Basically I walk out of the elevator and the ground feels like its moving up and down. I then start walking really fast in a small panick hoping it will go away. I do prefer the stairs if I see them. In theory, you can always take the stairs; it's good exercise. Peace to you...

Three things to try to see exactly what it is about elevators that sets off your symptoms.
First, is it the up and down motion that creates the sensation?
Second, is it the shape of the elevator, the solid feel of a box?
Third, is it the "not knowing"?
I can use elevators comfortably - however, I do make sure I go to the bathroom first, I have a snack, a drink, and something comfortable to sit on. I used to keep a flashlight with me as well.
I hope this gives you some ideas to work with.
Best wishes.

I have fear of elevators, but I still get on them. Right now that is the only way I can see my sister in the hospital. You have to have card keys to open the doors from the stairwell to get on the floor you wish to go to. I figure they are not going to issue me a card so I get on the elevator.

It is not easy at first getting on the elevator. There is one cranky elevator that everyone was talking about because the doors on it don't open very fast and it makes terrible screeching and groaning noises. I was not suprised when I went up to the hospital last night that there was an out of order sign on it.

I got into it this morning and maybe that was not such a good idea because it sounded terrible and it was being very hesitant about opening. Kind of reinforced my dread of elevators.

Getting on these elevators is helping me practice some of my tools for what I will need to get back out on the highways as I have agoraphobia.

Since elevators does bring on dread for me and since it is not my worst fear I can use it to get better with.

Do you have anything else that brings on that sense of doom and dread, but is not quite as scary to you as elevators? If you do I would use it to practice your tools like I am with elevators.

I do understand because I am terrified of roadways when I get too far away from home and what I mean by far a way is more than fifteen or sixteen miles.

Thank you nightdrifter!
I appreciate the help! Have also asked the psych doc to hook me up with a study at UCLA. They are trying to help people who have issues like I do with elevators. Since I last left this message, I have been to classes one on one with the doc and have since been in the elevator alone up to one floor! What an accomplishment! I hope that this will continue and will keep you up to date on my progress! I too still prefer the stairs! :) :) And will take them if I see them!
Thanks again!

Kandi, your story sounds familiar, my mother refuses to use escalators. Shes almost 90 and will take the steps before ever taking an escalator even for a short distance.

The only way to conquer your fears is to face them. Zoloft is an effective med, so you should be fine with it. But be very careful with the abilify tuintil your sure how it will effect you. Far to many people have reported sleep walking while using it.

I used to get anxiety for this as well. I think what makes me more anxious is being stuck with a crowd of people in the elevator and no space to breathe/move for a long period of time.

I eased some of my anxiety about elevators falling when I saw a documentary on elevators that explained in detail how they are built and the safety measures built in to keep the elevators from falling. There are actually backup mechanisms and stress points/pieces that will halt the elevator if for some reason it does start to slip even a little. So the falling thing doesn't bother me that much anymore.

I always imagine that if I do get stuck in an elevator I would practice my breathing and take a nap on the floor so I don't have to be awake stressing myself while help is on the way. lol.

and I always have my xanax on hand! :)

Thank you anxietymc and all of you who have replied to my email. SInce this was posted, I have had a chance to f/u with a psych doc at UCLA. She had i rode the elevator at the hospital together then separately last week and we will have another exposure therapy tomorrow! I am looking forward to it! :)
I still have anxious thoughts about it falling and getting stuck, but will continue to practice the breathing exercises, take my meds and try to change my way of thinking. I can at least get to the second floor and hope to ride to more floors as time goes on. I need to deal with my fear of heights as well! Thanks everyone for your helpful hints!! Will keep you informed!

you know how I chose to start dealing with my fear of heights....I jumped out of an airplane last year skydiving! And extreme tactic, I know.

Still can't believe I did it and don't know what possessed me to. I guess I'm just tired of letting my fears take control of me. I was terrified, but I will say it was the best thing I have ever done so much fun and a positive adrenaline rush and I would do it again in a heartbeat. So there may really be something to this exposure therapy! lol.

I ride the elevator all the time at school, because going down the stairs is kinda hard for me, but I can go up the stairs no problem. I will be entering college next year. I have the same fear that you do, so I'm here to tell you that you are not alone:) I want someone in with me on the elevator or call someone. I'm scared it will stop or the cable will break or the fire alarm will go off and I will be trapped. I also don't like loud ear pricing noises. I ensure you to get a service dog, because it can ride the elevator with you. I don't have one, but I'm going to get one after I graduate college. Get a service dog though he can help you by knowing someone is there and JESUS is there also, so put all your faith and trust in GOD that he has you and if anything happens on the elevator, HE will never let you go!! :)

Kandikane, you did it! And you did it really fast. I am going to have to learn from you. This is amazing!

I don't like elevators but won't avoid them. I hate that dizzy feeling I get when they stop...it makes me feel like there is something wrong with me...because noone else seems to notice it. I mean it is BAD!! Now, if one ever broke down on me and I was stuck...I cannot tell you how quickly I would lose it....it would not be pretty.

oh yah I have this. I get so paranoid too. And around the end of every month I go with this group of friends at church to this thing called Youth Food Ministries and we take groceries to ppl in retirement homes that don't get very much money and the last place that we go to has an elevator. Now I don't mind riding it with other ppl cause at least then if we get stuck i'm not alone but sometimes I have to go by myself. just Friday I had to go on one of them by myself. at first I considered taking the stairs but when I go down or up too many flights of stairs I start running out of breath and getting anxiety so I decided it's either get temporary anxiety in an elevator or get a longer lasting anxiety running out of breath going down 4 flights of stairs. figured the first option was better.

Kandikane, I still can't believe you did it! Your courage was remarkable. That was like bungee jumping off a bridge for you. Amazing!

Now I am going to try to overcome my traveling phobia. You gave me so much hope.

You did it!

I dont' have issues with elevators...I mean I get nervous in them, but I can still ride them. But I have that issue with bridges. I feel like I"m holding my breath the whole time. And god forbid i have to STOP on the bridge. AAAAAAAAAAH!!! Total freakout time. I don't like anything that is hanging. it's funny because I'm totally fine flying. But bridges...maybe if the bridges had wings and a pilot I'd feel better. LOL!