Lots of replies, thank you. I don't want to run away from this, those who know me understand that I'm pretty strong-willed, so it has to be dealt with.
It may well be worth me actually walking these woodlands rather than riding, more chance of observing the "exits". Stupid thing is that I invariably have a map and gps with me but seem to lose all sense of logic.
As regards buildings, hmm a difficult one.
Karin - I will check out that link, thank you.
sharki - don't do night riding, sorry!
What grantway said - hypnosis.
Or to be more precise, relaxation and visualisation exercises. Go to a hypnotherapist and also get appropriate relaxation CDs. I reckon that it should be a piece of cake to overcome with the correct relaxation techniques. IMHO
Take some pruning shears/trail saw out with you and cut back a bit of the denser stuff, prove who's boss.
The Labyrinth, by any chance? That place gives me the willies a bit. Whenever I've stopped in there (usually lost...) it's been...
Well, to be honest I'm not sure walking in there would be my idea of a good time - I prefer to get out as quickly as possible!
Having said that, it's certainly worth a look whilst the snow is lying around - it makes even the darkest woods so much brighter.
I can see the labyrinth could be seen as little closed in, but also seems a popular place so you'd never be alone in there.
FWIW, twas the only bit of the forest that really put a smile on my face, o other than the good company.
+1 for Hypnosis.
My girlfriend had a terrible phobia of cliffs/edges/drops in general, this caused her big problems when we went biking and snowboarding. She underwent 3 or 4 sessions of hypnosis, and it seems to have worked wonders.Rode the lakes recently with some steep drops and no adverse reaction! i thought it was all BS before, but i must admit to being impressed by the results.
Sessions were about £50 for 45mins..
Yep, The Labyrinth 
I feel so stupid, I know every inch of that and it still doesn't make it any easier. It's not being alone, I'm used to that - I ride anywhere in the U.K. and have confidence in my ability not to get lost and have done so for many years.
I don't like the jumper thing either. horrible. makes you just want to rip rip rip it right off NOW!!! get it off me!
Having tried most things, i would say hypnotherapy was all very well but not a patch on professional psychological therapy and/or medication. Although none of these may be necessary for some mild claustrophobia.
Ok, what exactly is it that's putting you on edge?
The dark?
The possibility of Big Feet/Blair witches/desperate singletons hiding in the trees?
The lack of an IMMEDIATE exit from the situation?
Or something else?
Feeling hemmed in basically. Not seeing through the trees. But I do force myself to ride there and concentrate on the tight turns.
Is it just the one place you feel claustrophobic? Or wooded areas in general?
Dense wooded areas where I can't see a way out, anywhere.
My other massive phobia is sharks, which are animals that I love and admire but I get scared of in swimming pools... so I know logic is suspended where phobias are concerned. Perhaps FORCING logic to the forefront of your mind is a possibility.
Maybe you could reassure yourself that you're not really hemmed in because you're flowing down the trail: you're following an exit that's constantly extending ahead of you, just for you.
Ok, bear with me on this, i think it was gisburn i rode recently and there's a wooded section there thats thick and dense, entering it everything feels instantly closer, you lose the natural sounds of the outdoors, and it becomes darker and generally feels wrong as to what you expect from the outdoors, to put it mildly its disconcerting and confusing to the brain. I'm no psychologist but i've had first hand experience of some nasty head stuff and can suggest that the brain knows this area doesn't 'feel right' so it kicks off the adrenalin, its then when the head starts playing tricks. I dont want to try diagnose any remedies but telling yourself its just your head playing tricks really helps.
I'd say exposure therapy.
I'm dead butch but one thing that can put the shits right up me is the dentist. I know everyone is scared of the dentist but really, I've pushed the dentist aside and run out of the surgery before now. When I go now after I've MannTFU, I still leave drenched in sweat. I have to schedule checkups either after work or before work (with time to get me home for a shower), because I will sweat so much.
They don't do dentists chairs with arms any more but I've broken one off during a filling before now.
But since they tightened up the 'call on the morning of the work because you're so nervous to say you've cancelled' regime, I'vce had to go for every appointment and it's worked out well. I still hate the sadistic bastards but at least I can actually walk into the surgery without my legs giving way.
Was very apprehensive at posting this thread cos I thought some of you would take it as a cue for pointing and laughing. But you didn't ... so thank you and thanks to those who sent e-mails too 
I've set myself a challenge - to lead the group through The Labyrinth at next month's Swinley ride. Gonna beat this ...
I'd lock myself away in a small, dark room and try to ignore it.
IIRC.....
There are basically two approaches to overcoming a phobia.
1. Systematic Desensitization - This is where you take it a step at a time, exposing yourself to a little stress, getting used to it, desensitizing, then moving on to the next..... So talking about it, looking at pictures of it, planning on going there, going there with a friend, and so on.
2. Deep end technique - You totally immerse yourself in your phobia. So, in your case, you'd go to Swinley on your own, at night, no moby, etc......
There are pros and cons to both methods, and champions for the efficacy of both....
Bon Courage CG
SB
Have you always had it or was there a time when you didn't have it?
Er, guess it started around 12 months ago but can not remember what triggered it. I loathe birch trees (get bad vibes from them), not keen on pine but deciduous woods are truly beautiful.
I'm weird
You like Pearl Jam you cant be that weird
Neil Young actually
Ok weird it is then!!! But i must confess a weak spot for rockin in the free world
Neil Young and Crazy Horse are pretty awesome. Truth is he's made some outstanding albums and some really terrible ones too. I have one or two of his 
He was better than springsteen at glasto, mind you who wasn't
Oh dear, was it that bad then?
Terrible, i'm yet to find out what he's the Boss of exactly
neil young is cool phobias are irrational but basically two approaches
systematic desesitisation which is the slowly slowly approach either mentally or actually,
Flooding-generally considered un ethical and dont do alone someone needs to force you to confront the fear head on...perhpas you can play helpless on ipod whilst doing this
No, I have publicly stated that I am leading the group into The Labyrinth and that is what I will do! No way can I listen to music when riding 
Am convinced that I can nip this in the bud now.
I loathe birch trees (get bad vibes from them), not keen on pine but deciduous woods are truly beautiful.
My traditional Chinese doctor friend explained to me that the chi from trees is yin chi. Yin chi can be volatile and mischievous, unlike yang chi, which is safe and cuddly.
The yin chi from trees is very powerful, but it is a force from the dark side - yang is light. So tree-hugging is not for the inexperienced, but only for those who understand the ways of chi kung and can control the powerful forces of darkness.
That, grasshopper, are the "bad vibes" you speak of. Only Taoism sees it not as 'good and evil', but forces which compliment each other, eg, soft and hard, hot and cold, darkness and light.
So my child, learn to accept the yin with the yang, and live in perfect balance with the universe
HTH
NB I might have got that wrong ...... as I always get me yin, mixed up with me yang 
Having tried most things, i would say hypnotherapy was all very well but not a patch on professional psychological therapy and/or medication. Although none of these may be necessary for some mild claustrophobia.- good lordy, an outbreak of sense on STW, though perhaps try some cognitive / behaviorual therapy before hitting the chemicals.
1. Systematic Desensitization - This is where you take it a step at a time, exposing yourself to a little stress, getting used to it, desensitizing, then moving on to the next..... So talking about it, looking at pictures of it, planning on going there, going there with a friend, and so on.2. Deep end technique - You totally immerse yourself in your phobia. So, in your case, you'd go to Swinley on your own, at night, no moby, etc......
more sense on STW, blimey...though the second tech is known as flooding and can go pear-shaped...i'd advise against it. peer pressure of leading a group ride could possibly depending on your personality / coping mechanisms / experiences increase anxiety levels and the poss of a panic attack. take it easy first C-G and build up to it. if this really is a big deal then see a psychologist - someone specialising in CBT would be spot on. don't throw your money away before checking their credentials though. check for BPS chartership, BABCP membership etc. if it really bothers you it is worth sorting out properly.
Thanks again for replies. Can I just stress that this will be nipped in the bud, it's not full blown but could become so if I do nothing, which is always the easy option.
I have a huge amount of self-belief and 2010 is "The Year of Optimism" for me anyway 
I can sort this myself and I love a challenge! In fact I'm heading over to The Labyrinth tomorrow, bring it on
If it was 12 months ago maybe you could ask yourself what was happening in your life emotionally.
Maybe for some people Christmas brings this on, and claustrophobia can be seen as a manifestation of a deeper claustrophobia around family and family issues. Not wanting to be in an enclosed space can be seen as the external manifestation of not wanting to be around close family, due to the triggering of emotions that may be too hard to handle. It may not be the family triggering off these emotions, it could be something inside of that person that projects on to the situation. maybe not just family but not wanting to be around anyone. Solve that and you may solve the claustrophobia.
Trees can symbolise the people in your relationships, so there could be a real imbalance in the life and vitality of your relationships.
Oh, in days gone by birch was used to drive out evil spirits in people.
There is a lot more on the symbolism of Birch, and of course all of this is happening in the labyrinth, itself symbolic.
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