Claustrophobia: Fear of Confined Spaces

What Is Claustrophobia?

Claustrophobia is a fear of any small, closed area. Someone with claustrophobia experiences anxiety triggered by irrational thoughts of being confined in a small, enclosed space with no alternate escape route. For example, a room without windows, a crowded elevator, etc.

It is one of the most common phobias. People with claustrophobia might have a panic attack. Some people need treatment to manage their symptoms, while others get better independently. Around five percent of Americans experience claustrophobia, but most of them do not seek treatment even when the symptoms are severe.

Who Experiences Claustrophobia?

The prevalence of claustrophobia is higher in women than in men. While individual phobias can strike anyone at any age, the majority of them start to manifest throughout childhood and adolescence.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Claustrophobia?

Symptoms usually start during childhood. These symptoms can be triggered even by thinking about confined spaces. Some of the common signs exhibited by a claustrophobic person are:

• Feeling anxious in enclosed spaces.

• Avoid the elevator and take the stairs instead.

• Checking and staying close to the exit when in a small room.

• In a crowded place, such people stand near the door.

• Avoid traveling when the bus or car is overcrowded.

The typical symptoms exhibited by the person are:

• Excessive perspiration.

• Lightheadedness.

• Palpitations.

• High blood pressure.

• Chills.

• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

• Hot flashes.

• Trembling.

• Rapid breathing.

• Tightness of chest.

• Nausea.

• Headache.

• Dry mouth.

• Confusion.

• Urge to pee.

• Numbness.

Which Circumstances Are Conducive to Claustrophobia?

In most cases, the problem is not being in a small room but rather fearing what can happen there and how the person can escape it.

The common triggers include:

• Locked cars.

• Tunnels.

• Cellars.

• Public toilets.

• Automatic car washing places.

• Changing rooms.

• Airplanes.

• Trains.

• Elevators.

• Small rooms with no windows.

• Sometimes, even tight clothing.

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner.

• Crowded place.

• Cars.

What Causes Claustrophobia?

Childhood experiences are generally what triggers a person to panic when confined to a small and confined place.

The following are some experiences that can have this effect:

• Getting trapped in a confined place by accident.

• Being kept in a locked room on purpose.

• Child abuse or bullying.

• Living with a claustrophobic parent.

• Getting lost or separated from your family in a crowded place.

• Classic Conditioning - The trauma caused by such an incident will affect how the person copes with similar situations later in life. This makes the person associate small areas with danger, which makes the body react the same way it does to any other danger.

• Size of the Amygdala (A Part of the Brain) - Another study has concluded that the size of a part of the brain influences how individuals deal with anxiety-triggering situations.

• Perception of Space - A recent study revealed that people with claustrophobia sensed objects to be nearer than they were, and this caused them to react more severely to small spaces.

• Genetics - Having a parent with claustrophobia increases one's chance of having the same.

• Childhood Trauma - Experiencing the feeling of being trapped in a room as a child might cause this phobia later in life.

• Prepared Phobia: This is an evolutionary process where the brains are prepared to help escape certain life-threatening situations, although it no longer applies in society.

How Is Claustrophobia Diagnosed?

Claustrophobia is most commonly diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist and usually emerges during a consultation for anxiety problems. The specialist will tell individuals to describe their symptoms and will try to rule out other causes or types of anxiety.

For a claustrophobia diagnosis, the following criteria have to be met:

• Unreasonable or unexplained fear is due to a certain situation's presence or anticipation.

• Panic attacks (in adults) and tantrums, crying, or clinging (in children) when exposed to triggers.

• The patient is aware that such fear is unreasonable and out of proportion.

• Trying to avoid the feared situation or object or to face them with extreme anxiety.

• The patient’s actions (avoidance or anxiety) to that trigger interfere with his or her life and relationships.

• The phobia is present for six months or longer.

• If the symptoms cannot be diagnosed to be caused by any other mental disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), psychosis, etc.

How Is Claustrophobia Treated?

Psychotherapy is the most commonly used treatment for claustrophobia. Psychiatric counseling can help patients overcome fear and manage triggers.

The treatment options include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - CBT helps control and alter negative thoughts that the person gets from objects or situations that trigger phobias. The patient learns to change his or her reactions to these situations by learning ways to change his or her thoughts.

• Exposure Therapy - Here, the patient is exposed to a non-dangerous situation, which triggers claustrophobia. This helps the patient confront and overcome his or her fear.

• Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) - Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) is a type of CBT that addresses unhealthy attitudes and behaviors. It helps people develop realistic and healthier beliefs.

• Relaxation and Visualization - The specialist will suggest relaxation and visualization techniques to help you calm down during claustrophobic situations. It can include counting from 10 or imagining you are in a safe space.

• Medication - Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are also prescribed to treat panic attacks and other symptoms.

How to Cope During Episodes?

• Take deep breaths, and count from 10 to 1.

• Distract yourself with other interesting thoughts.

• Reassure yourself that this is a temporary feeling and that it will pass.

• Meditation and yoga will help with learning to control negative thoughts in the long run.

Conclusion:

Claustrophobia can be treated, and many people gradually grow over their fears by repeatedly being exposed to the stimulus or naturally with age. Suppose individuals have had claustrophobia for more than six months, and it is crippling their daily life. In that case, it is time to seek help from a specialist who deals with phobias and is experienced in providing the right type of therapy for their condition.