Results of Treatments for Claustrophobia

Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an irrational fear of objects, organisms or situations. According to epigee.org, claustrophobia is one of the most common phobias in the United States. It is a situational phobia caused by being in an enclosed, small or cramped space. Claustrophobia can cause social and psychological problems, as sufferers often avoid planes, high-traffic driving areas, cars, tunnels and elevators, and will often quickly locate and stand near exits when they are indoors. While there is no completely effective cure for claustrophobia, there are therapy and drug treatments that can help.

Behavioral Therapy

• Behavioral therapy attempts to identify what triggers reactions and how individuals can respond differently. According to epigee.org, behavioral therapists encourage claustrophobic individuals to think about their reaction to small or confined areas as a learned behavior, as opposed to a natural one. The intended result is not the elimination of the fear, but developing an ability to control your emotions and cope with the fear.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming

• Neuro-linguistic programming is a type of behavioral therapy that involves deconstructing a person's perception of reality. According to NLPU.com, it is characterized by exploring the relationship between the mind and language, and how that relationship alters our behavior. The intended result of neuro-linguistic programming is to get people to realize they have numerous choices when dealing with a situation and that it's up to them how they respond.

Exposure Therapy

• Exposure therapy, also known as desensitization, focuses on changing a person's response to situations that trigger fear. It does this through repeatedly exposing the claustrophobic individual to small, cramped and enclosed spaces, or simulations of claustrophobic situations. According to MayoClinic.com, repeated and gradual exposure to fearful situations can result in people reducing their anxiety.

Drugs

• Claustrophobic individuals are commonly prescribed beta-blockers and anti-depressants. According to MayoClinic.com, beta-blockers prevent adrenaline from stimulating the body and increasing heart rate and blood pressure when people are in uncomfortable situations. They also can help prevent the voice from trembling and limbs from shaking. The most commonly prescribed antidepressants for claustrophobia are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as diazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam. They work by stimulating serotonin, a mood-influencing neurotransmitter.

Hypnotherapy

• Hypnotherapy is an alternative treatment for claustrophobia. Hypnosis is a process in which a hypnotist alters a person's state of consciousnesses. Hypnotherapy’s intended result is to uncover a forgotten traumatic experience that is an underlying cause of the claustrophobia. This uncovering is expected to help eliminate the phobia.