How Does Martin Suffer From Claustrophobia?

I have always been afraid of snakes. I have been suffering from this phobia for as long as I could remember ,and it never really went away ,because some phobias cannot. For instance Martin ,who suffers from claustrophobia,paranoia, and is intimidated by his own father. In the elevator ,William Sleator writes about a young boy named Martin who suffers from many phobias once he moves into a new apartment with his father. The apartments are old and damaged ,and off the bat ,do not feel safe to Martin. It is not just the structure of the building ,but the strange fat lady he encounters in what seems to be the most terrifying place in the building ,also known as ,the elevator. He tells his father of his fears ,but receives nothing ,but lectures and disappointment. This is the reason Martin cannot get over his fears. He literally has no one to talk to. Inside, he is going insane ,because his father disapproves and ‘’cowardly’’ emotion or actions he shows.
In line 90-91, “It wasn’t possible. It was like a nightmare. But there she was ,massively real. ‘Going up!’ He said, his voice a humiliating squeak.” Martin referred to the lady as a massive nightmare ,and the only reason he asked the question was because he was certain she would say no ,but the odds were not in his favor. Not only did the fat lady always seem to be near ,but she also goes against Martin's philosophy. “He looked at her. She was staring at him ,no expression at all on her squashed little features,” says line 113-115. Martin believes that while on the elevator with strangers you should not look at each other , let alone make eye contact. That is why after these experiences Martin no longer wants to be on the