Claustrophobia: Panic Attack

“My mom will be proud of me!” Elated at the prospect of a successful, job interview and the possibility of a high-paying job on the top floor of large, downtown office complex, Darcy had walked up ten flights of stairs. Following his interview and without even thinking, he grabbed the elevator simply because it was there. 

He realized his mistake as soon as the heavy, elevator doors closed behind him.

“God, I never should have taken the elevator.” 

Darcy pushed the elevator button once, twice and then, a third time. It did not budge. He began to push all of the elevator buttons with the palm of his hand. “I can’t breathe!” he said, gasping for air. “I have to get out of here, now!”

It was too late.

Darcy recognized feelings of claustrophobia  taking over. He shook with fear. The elevator light flickered and went out. He was alone in total darkness. 

“Don’t panic!” he told himself. “Find the emergency button!”

Early memories began to surface. He recalled as a young child, having been locked in a tiny, dark closet for many hours. 

“This room is too small for me!” 

The words he spoke as a child re-sounded in his mind. His fear was too great to conquer and he started to cry. Darcy hammered both fists on the elevator door as increasing panic set in.

“Help!” 

He sat down on the floor and kicked the door with both feet. 

“Someone will hear.” 

Beads of sweat poured off his brow. 

“Don’t panic!” he repeated. “You are an adult. You have outgrown your childhood claustrophobia.”

It seemed to be getting hotter. The dead air was suffocating. 

“I need oxygen!” yelled Darcy, as he became dizzy. He had heart palpitations and his chest felt tight. He pulled his jacket, shirt and tie off. Darcy felt his throat getting tighter.

The elevator groaned, moved a fraction of an inch and came to a bumpy, grinding halt.

“Help!” he tried to holler, but could not. Struggling for air, he lay on the the floor. Just as the alarm sounded, his mind became a total blank.