The images of people being shoved into trains is not far fetched. It is a reality I prefer not to participate in. The pushing and cramming is stifling. My husband's daily commute includes over a half hour of sardine-like conditions every day. I don't know how he does it.
While on a very packed train, I start to loose it. Symptoms of claustrophobia include sweating, difficulty breathing, and irrational thoughts of getting trapped. Since I know I start panicking when stuck tightly into small spaces I try my best to avoid the situation all together. But when I can't avoid it, I focus on my son and making sure he doesn't get squished.
My husband and I put him into a corner near the door, next to a seat (typically all the seats are filled before my husband's stop). We then block other people by standing shoulder to shoulder in an L-shape to make a little space for him to be able to stand. Sometimes we really have to stand our ground to give him some breathing room. I've also been known to hold him during the ride, but that is even worse since then we just get squished.
When the train crowded, but not packed, I still often feel the claustrophobia symptoms start to suffocate me. I've started crocheting on the train to keep the hyperventilating at bay. It requires such focus that it really helps. However, I need to have enough elbow room to do it. So, it isn't always a solution.
Sometimes we don't plan right and get stuck on one of these packed trains during rush hour. But I do my best to avoid these situations.
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