Claustrophobia is a common fear of enclosed spaces, causing anxiety and panic attacks. Treatment involves medication and counseling, such as desensitization therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, to gradually overcome the fear. Mild claustrophobia is common, and treatment can help individuals live normally.
Claustrophobia is a common fear. When people have this phobia they become anxious or panicky when they are in enclosed spaces. What can be called an enclosed space differs according to the person with this phobia. They could include elevators, small rooms (such as doctor’s examination rooms) with the door closed, cars caught in traffic, or other situations. Like most phobias, claustrophobia is irrational and rational thinking usually cannot cure it. Even if a person knows that the enclosed space poses no danger, they can be extremely panicky when in such a space.
The symptoms of claustrophobia emerge when a person is in an enclosed space. These could include feelings of restlessness, anxiety, sweating, crying, full-blown panic attacks or increased heart rate or breathing. Some people feel that they cannot breathe properly in enclosed spaces and are deeply eager to get out of them as quickly as possible.
Those with minor claustrophobia may be able to manage the condition on their own. They would opt to use the stairs instead of entering an elevator. They may ask for an open cubicle at work instead of a small enclosed office. Others find the condition to be far beyond manageable and may require treatment to overcome it.
Most phobia treatments follow a similar path. To deal with feelings of panic when real panic attacks occur, a psychiatrist might prescribe anti-anxiety medications. These are commonly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or a group of tranquilizers called benzodiazepines, which include drugs such as Xanax® and Valium®. That’s only half the battle because these drugs do nothing to address the fears that create claustrophobia.
The other part of treatment is counseling, usually desensitization therapy. Counselors might first try to identify when the fear arose, although this is not always knowable. They can then work with the claustrophobic person by gradually helping them get used to being in smaller spaces while feeling safe at the same time. Another counseling method that can work for people with claustrophobia is cognitive behavioral therapy.
Those who suffer from this condition may find that they have to avoid so many activities that life becomes difficult to live normally. This is why treatment for the condition is so important. However, many people have at least mild claustrophobia and feel panicked or worried when in small enclosed spaces. The size of the space isn’t always that important; sometimes the fear focuses more on the fact that the person feels trapped or closed off. Even in a large shopping mall with few windows, a person with significant claustrophobia may feel confined and limited.
Fortunately, treatment for this condition is often very effective. It can gradually help the person overcome the fear of confinement. Meanwhile, while therapy is ongoing, drug treatment can help make panic symptoms more manageable.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
