Description of Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia is one of the most common phobias. It is triggered by the panic that arises from the fear of being confined in a small place or in a place from which there might not be a way out. It is the fear of not having an escape route. This phobia is situational because only particular conditions trigger a claustrophobic response.

Definition

• A phobia is a form of anxiety. Anxiety leads to irrational fears of certain objects or situations. Claustrophobia might be a single phobia or one that is a part of a much larger phobia such as generalized anxiety disorder.

Causes

• Claustrophobia and phobias result from traumatic experiences. These experiences can occur during childhood or at any other point in one's lifetime. Claustrophobia develops after being traumatized from entrapment. After one is traumatized, the brain then triggers a panic attack when similar situations arise, such as being in a tight space or feeling out of control.

Triggers

• Everyday situations can trigger claustrophobia. Being inside rooms without a clear exit, rush hour traffic, flying in an airplane, passing under a tunnel or undergoing a medical procedure such as an MRI or CAT scan. In extreme cases, even the sight of a closed door can trigger a panic attack. Claustrophobia can have devastating effects on a person's social life. Individuals with claustrophobia often avoid activities or situations that cause symptoms of an attack.

Symptoms

• The symptoms of claustrophobia are much like the symptoms of a regular panic attack: extreme sweating, nausea, rapid heart rate, light headedness or fainting, and fear of imminent physical danger.

Treatment

• Claustrophobia is a learned response from a situation that caused fear at some point in a person's life. It is possible to unlearn this response. Behavior therapy is used to identify triggers and learn to control reactions through visualization and positive thinking. Flooding can be used to immerse the person in a scary situation, like a small room, until they learn there is no imminent danger thus reducing the effect of the claustrophobia. If behavioral techniques fail, medication such as beta-blockers and anti-depressants can be prescribed to limit the effect of panic attacks.