Bob’s phobia began in the early 1970’s during the “Winter of Discontent” when, during a power cut, he was trapped in a lift.
He was only there for a short while, about 15 minutes, but it was pitch black and he was on his own.His marriage had broken up during the preceding year and life was very stressful as he now had to learn to live alone and look after himself.
Obviously the episode in the lift was the final straw which triggered his claustrophobia.He subsequently found that going in a lift was too terrifying to even contemplate, let alone do.
Read more on nopanic.org.uk