Claustraphobia

[Chad32]

If I recall correctly, just about any time Visser Three traps a character in a tight space that would make an Andalite freak out, it's one of the Humans and not Ax. Ax is supposed to have a fear of small spaces, but there isn't any point where he completely freaks out. There is one time in book 28 where he repeats to himself that there is enough room and air, but never loses it. Sometimes I wonder what's the point, if there aren't going to be times when Captaing Grace under Fire loses it because they're stuck in a closet, or in the Visser's trap. Does anyone else find this odd?

[JFalcon]

A story where the heroes break down and start crying is less inspiring to the kids, often in the books the Animorphs say candidly to the reader that what they're going to do scares them out of their minds then do it anyway because it needs to be done, Ax's lack of true terror when in a claustraphobic situation might be another example of this.

Or, since 28 was narrated by him, he lied to spare his Andalite pride 

[Til23]

I think maybe "There is enough air" ect would be as panicky as Ax could get maybe, I never saw him as the type to start bawling or screaming. (Except when there's a yerk in his head in 29(?))

Maybe Ax is one of those Andalite's who is less phobic about small spaces?

[Chad32]

Yeah, I think the only times he ever freaked out were in book 4 and 29. In book 4, he's been dealt the harsh blow of being told his brother is dead, and now Visser Three is going to eat them. This is also back before Visser Three underwent villain decay. Then in 29, when he woke up infested. But the second time is funny.

<No Cassie, he's screaming because he has a Yeerk in his head.> She said dryly.

Book 40, when he faced Gafinilan, was surely a crowning moment of awesome.

[JFalcon]

<No Cassie, he's screaming because he has a Yeerk in his head.> She said dryly.

. . . I'd forgotten how much I loved that part of the book 

[EmberGryphon]

Book 40, when he faced Gafinilan, was surely a crowning moment of awesome.

Pfft. Ax's CMoA was definitely the thing with Visser 2 and the warhead. =P

Rachel was claustrophobic as well, but I don't remember her ever freaking out except in the one book with the moles- #17, I think?- where we learn about that particular fear. She at least should have panicked when she was swallowed in MM2, or leading David through the tunnels as a rat in #22, wouldn't you think...? *shrugs*

[Chad32]

I thought her claustrophobia was only mentioned in the TV show.

Ax has multiple CMoA moments. Just like all the other characters, most likely.

[Duff]

maybe andalites are just uncomfortable in small spaces but alloran actually has claustrophobia so visser three just assumes all andalites have it as bad as his host

[Terenia]

"All" Andalites have a natural aversion to small spaces, just like "all" humans have a natural aversion to pitch blackness. That doesn't mean that we have a spazz attack when it becomes pitch black. It just makes us uncomfortable, to varying degrees. I would think, as he was a warrior-cadet, Ax would have at least been trained a bit in how to overcome instinctual aversions (morphing would be added practice to this as well)

[Chad32]

"All" Andalites have a natural aversion to small spaces, just like "all" humans have a natural aversion to pitch blackness. That doesn't mean that we have a spazz attack when it becomes pitch black. It just makes us uncomfortable, to varying degrees. I would think, as he was a warrior-cadet, Ax would have at least been trained a bit in how to overcome instinctual aversions (morphing would be added practice to this as well)

I think that explains it pretty well. If it's less of a phobia, and more just an uncomfortable state, like when a Human can't see or is swimming around in the middle of an ocean, then it's not so odd.

[Shark Akhrrana]

Well from being Claustrophobic myself
all I can say is it depends on teh situation.
if I'm just locked in my room I'm fine now if you stick me in my car in San Fransisco rush hour that is a different story.

My friends and I had gone out to SF to visit Japan Town  and there was horrible traffic more than usual and I went totally nuts so it depends on the situation.

[musicman88]

As he was a warrior-cadet, Ax would have at least been trained a bit in how to overcome instinctual aversions (morphing would be added practice to this as well)

Since he'd have to be stuck in a tiny room on his ship (I think this was explaned in The Andalite Chronicles or something like that) he'd probably be somewhat used to small spaces.  And he probably underwent training to minimize the claustrophobic impact as well.