I (f24) have severe claustrophobia and my husband (m33) locked me in a closet. How do I move on from this?
A Reddit user, who has severe claustrophobia, shared the traumatic experience of her husband locking her in a small closet as a prank, despite knowing her phobia. This led to a panic attack and vomiting.
She felt violated and betrayed by his actions. After reflecting on the situation, she has decided to leave him, move in with a friend, and pursue a divorce, especially since she’s pregnant. Read the original story below:
‘ I (f24) have severe claustrophobia and my husband (m33) locked me in a closet. How do I move on from this?’
I feel so bad even having to write this. I have severe, severe, claustrophobia. Like I can’t stand any sort of space that makes it feel like I can’t move- I hate planes and backseats of cars and just generally anywhere like that. I feel like I can’t breathe, or like I’m gonna get suffocated. I know it’s completely ridiculous but I guess that’s why it’s a p**bia.
My husband clearly knows this, especially because I don’t like being laid on/held down for the same claustrophobic reasons. Last night, I was retrieving something from my closet. It’s a small closet, like big enough for me to get inside but if you closed the door, I’d be jammed between the clothes/shelves and the door. And… that’s exactly what my husband did.
I immediately started to lose it and he was holding the door shut from the other side, and he was laughing and I begged to open the door. I tried to stay calm but I genuinely started to cry, my stomach was churning, I felt like I was gonna either suffocate or have a heart attack.
He put something between the handles so that I couldn’t get out, he left me in there for 15 mins while I sobbed and he laughed. I eventually vomited in the closet and that’s what made him let me out. I feel so horrific. Why would my husband do this?? He knows I’m claustrophobic, he could hear me crying and begging. I feel violated… is that over dramatic?
Here’s how people reacted to the post:
[Reddit User] − Holy s**t and youre newly pregnant?? This is a**sive and highly concerning. Abusers often escalate when their partners are pregnant.
yohaneh − get out of there. he is an i**ot at best and dangerous at worst.
SunnyGh0st − So your a**sive husband tortured you. Divorce him. Edit: OP you are 6 weeks pregnant. Get out of there before he hurts you or the baby.
kdawg09 − Not even going to read the post. You don’t. Your husband who is 9 years older than you in your young 20$ used your p**bia to abuse you and there is no reasonable excuse for that. I don’t care if this sounds extreme, leave now before things get worse.
Witty-Stock-4913 − Nope, he did, in fact, violate you. If this was like 15 seconds it would still be horrifying but maybe less so. He left you there long enough to throw up. He’s legitimately a monster and you cannot trust him.
If for some inexplicable reason you want to work this out, move out and demand couples counseling. But I honestly don’t see how you can ever trust him again. I’m so so so sorry he did this to you.
glassimposter − You don’t move on from.it, you move on from him. Like yesterday. I’m willing to bet he’s done it before
moviewriter1336 − Your husband did this because he is an enormous POS. You move on from this with a f**king divorce. Do you have brothers? If so, tell them and let nature take it’s course. This man (if he can even qualify) does not deserve your forgiveness for this. What a disgusting thing to do to someone you are supposed to love.
EatMorePi − I think you should get an a**rtion, leave him and never look back. This is unforgivable, and I can’t see how you could trust him with any amount of custody. 6 weeks is early. Move on.
[Reddit User] − The only way you might understand why is to ask him. You “were” violated. You are “not” over dramatic. The only question you need to ask is if you think you can ever truly trust him…
he knew your vulnerability and he used it against you. If he wants any chance at saving the marriage – presuming you’re willing to offer that possibility – marriage counselling for you both is likely needed.
marxam0d − Pack your s**t and leave.
What do you think is the line between a joke and emotional abuse? Can actions like these be forgiven, or do they signal deeper issues in the relationship? How would you handle such a betrayal of trust? Share your thoughts below!