claustrophobic

Re: claustrophobic

• girlmama83 member

  January 2013

  I have never heard of fears being genetic...

  
  
  Mama to 2 girls - H&I

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• everchangingcycles

  January 2013

  I think this boils down to the whole nature vs. nurture topic. If you show your baby these behaviors on a regular basis, they will probably pick up the behavior whether or not it is a fear/phobia/discomfort, whichever. Since you're mindful of it though, you'll know when to sorta hide it or not. 

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• Haley.Beth member

  January 2013

  You know, I honestly used to believe it was nurture, not nature. But my grandmother is extremely claustrophobic, and I am slightly. I believed her behaviors caused me to pick up on it as a child. However, my daughter is showing signs of being extremely claustrophobic. She freaks out when we hold her too tight, cannot stand being held down for a long diaper change, HATES dark or small rooms, is social but gets nervous around large crowds of people; the signs go on and on. As far as I know, I cannot think of a time she's ever seen me freak out from claustrophobia, and she's not around my grandmother often. Besides, she's been exhibiting these behaviors since around 3-4 months. I'm starting to reevaluate whether it's truly nurture, or if genetics might possibly have something small to do with it. So who knows? If it happens, it happens, and you can teach your baby coping skills as he/she grows up from your own experience.

  
  
  
  

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• ASmallWonder member

  January 2013

  Haley.Beth:

  You know, I honestly used to believe it was nurture, not nature. But my grandmother is extremely claustrophobic, and I am slightly. I believed her behaviors caused me to pick up on it as a child. However, my daughter is showing signs of being extremely claustrophobic. She freaks out when we hold her too tight, cannot stand being held down for a long diaper change, HATES dark or small rooms, is social but gets nervous around large crowds of people; the signs go on and on. As far as I know, I cannot think of a time she's ever seen me freak out from claustrophobia, and she's not around my grandmother often. Besides, she's been exhibiting these behaviors since around 3-4 months. I'm starting to reevaluate whether it's truly nurture, or if genetics might possibly have something small to do with it. So who knows? If it happens, it happens, and you can teach your baby coping skills as he/she grows up from your own experience.

  I'm just going to caution you to be mindful of applying your fears to her.  What you've described are things that annoy or frighten LOTS of kids, yet you say she's showing signs of "extreme" claustrophobia.  I wouldn't call it more that normal behavior but because you're hyper sensitive to it,  you're viewing it through that lens, kwim? 

  Formerly known as elmoali

  
  

  
  

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• everchangingcycles

  January 2013

  elmoali:

  Haley.Beth:

  You know, I honestly used to believe it was nurture, not nature. But my grandmother is extremely claustrophobic, and I am slightly. I believed her behaviors caused me to pick up on it as a child. However, my daughter is showing signs of being extremely claustrophobic. She freaks out when we hold her too tight, cannot stand being held down for a long diaper change, HATES dark or small rooms, is social but gets nervous around large crowds of people; the signs go on and on. As far as I know, I cannot think of a time she's ever seen me freak out from claustrophobia, and she's not around my grandmother often. Besides, she's been exhibiting these behaviors since around 3-4 months. I'm starting to reevaluate whether it's truly nurture, or if genetics might possibly have something small to do with it. So who knows? If it happens, it happens, and you can teach your baby coping skills as he/she grows up from your own experience.

  I'm just going to caution you to be mindful of applying your fears to her.  What you've described are things that annoy or frighten LOTS of kids, yet you say she's showing signs of "extreme" claustrophobia.  I wouldn't call it more that normal behavior but because you're hyper sensitive to it,  you're viewing it through that lens, kwim? 

  This. I believe what you have here is more confirmation bias than anything else.  

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• JCWhitey member

  January 2013

  Huh, I thought I was the only one who couldn't do the hoodie/jacket/car combo!
  

  Anyway, this is an interesting question and I have no clue what the answer is.  I was always claustrophobic, my mom would tell stories of me not being able to sleep on bottom bunks and  not wanting to play in boxes like normal kids as young as 2-3.  That seems like a really young age to "pick up" on a phobia.  Especially since I didn't learn my mom was claustrophobic until I was in middle school when she had to get an MRI and was freaking out about it.  My brother isn't claustrophobic but is freaked out by spiders (another one from my mom) but I love spiders.  I am afraid of heights but neither of my parents are.

  So... good question.  I guess IMO it's 50/50.  We might just naturally have fears, whether due to nurture or just our own mind playing with us, or maybe they are genetic.  I'd be interesting in learning more when I'm not so sick/tired.
  

  B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17

  
  

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• happywife2b member

  January 2013

  Only if you instill these fears into her, or draw attention to them, or make an issue about her doing things you can't tolerate. Children are amazingly perceptive and notice things that adults often miss. Perhpas it is time to try some desensitization therapy? Or simply be aware of situations that lead to abnormal reactions and head them off before things reach crisis point. You rarely freak out, that's good. With a baby you might not have the time or freedom to employ your normal coping mechanism. Try creating alternate coping mechs and see how/if they work for you over the next few weeks. That way if you are stuck holding baby while wearing a long sleeved shirt under a bulky jacket in [any generic situation] you will know what to do ahead of time and not be likely to melt down.
  

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• DeeThrower member

  January 2013

  Thanks everyone for the advice! I will definitely take all of it in consideration. A lot of great suggestions and insight. I really appreciate it, I definitely thought others would read this and think I'm crazy, lol. Thanks again everyone!!

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