Claustrophobia at a Glance

When your fear interferes with your ability to perform daily tasks, it becomes a health problem. Phobias can make it challenging to work efficiently, strain relationships, and lower your self-esteem. Many anxieties appear to be rational. Any person would try to avoid things that make him feel uneasy. As opposed to fear, a phobia is an excessive and illogical fear of one or more items or situations. Many anxieties appear to be rational.

One such phobia is claustrophobia, the fear of confined spaces.

What does claustrophobia feel like and what are its symptoms?

Unfamiliar compact settings terrify the majority of people with claustrophobia. A claustrophobic individual, for example, may not be terrified of sitting in their own closet, but riding in an elevator may be terrible. People who have claustrophobia may be terrified of certain small spaces but not others. A small car, for example, may feel safe, yet an elevator may trigger a panic attack. Claustrophobia is a prevalent fear that frequently coexists with anxiety and other phobias.

If you have claustrophobia, you are afraid of being trapped in a small space. You may be preoccupied with the idea of being trapped in a small space. Your thoughts may keep you awake at night. Claustrophobia symptoms are comparable to those of anxiety and a panic attack. You might have the following symptoms: 

• Sweating or trembling
• The feeling of “what to do and what not to do”
• Chest tightness or a fast heartbeat
• Breathing heavily or low breath
• Flushing or chills (red, hot face)
• The sensation of being choked
• Wobbly feeling in the stomach 
• Dizziness, faintness, lightheadedness, confusion
• You have a dry mouth
• Feeling disoriented or perplexed
• Tingling or numbness
• Your ears are ringing
• Crying, tantrums, freezing, or clinging are all common reactions, especially in children with this phobia

A person might eventually come to despise hobbies that make him trapped. Severe claustrophobia can also cause fears of passing out, losing control, or even dying. He may avoid crowded parties or other events, avoid rides that require shoulder straps, enter small rooms with the door open, or make various other concessions to your anxiety. 

Causes of Claustrophobia

Many people believe it stems from traumatic childhood events. Others think it’s a relic of an evolutionary defence mechanism associated with the perils of being trapped with no way out.

Other underlying anxieties, such as fear of injury, loss of control, or death, may also contribute to the emergence of claustrophobia.

People who inaccurately estimate the distance beyond their arm’s reach are more likely to experience claustrophobic distress, according to Emory University researchers. A history of being nervous in enclosed areas tends to increase the risk of developing claustrophobia in the future.

Past experiences cause future effects

• A traumatic event as a youngster: some individuals who suffer from claustrophobia recall being trapped or confined to a small place as a child.
• After childhood, you may have experienced a triggering event, such as getting stuck in an elevator or flying through severe turbulence.
• Childhood exposure to claustrophobia in a parent: if you’ve ever felt anxious in confined spaces because of one of your parents, you might develop claustrophobia.

Amid fear, scientists believe neurochemicals overstimulate a part of your brain called the amygdala. It’s also suggested that you’re more likely to develop claustrophobia if you have a single genetic mutation.

Effects

Being claustrophobic can significantly limit your life, preventing you from doing things you would normally like and putting undue strain on your health. When it comes to travel, claustrophobia, for example, can be a problem.

• Flying takes you to your destination quickly, yet it confines you to a cramped seat surrounded by people.
• Train travel offers spacious, comfy seats and the ability to wander about, but it takes a long time and may make you feel trapped.
• Driving can be restricted, yet it allows you to stop whenever you want for a stretch.

In such cases, an upcoming vacation can become bad, or these fears may discourage you from scheduling a trip in the first place. In terms of medicine, claustrophobia can be problematic because it can make you postpone getting crucial MRI testing or other medical procedures.

Long term treatment for claustrophobia

• To have someone who listens to the fears of claustrophobic patients helps to be confident and get a sense of relief that somebody is by them.
• Certain home medications relax: Meditation, physical yoga(mind and body relaxation), progressive muscle relaxation (pull and relaxing muscle groups) and other approaches, as well as deep breathing exercises (like pranayama), can help you relax.  Envision and focus on anything that will help you relax.
• Participate in a support or social group: People with claustrophobia can make a social or a support group so that it can be helpful in terms of reassuring you that you are not alone and exchanging advice, fears and information. Sometimes tips from people who have overcome such fears.
• Check whether an organisation offers a course to help you overcome your fear: In case you’re terrified of flying, try to approach a local airport that provides a session on how to overcome the fear of flying. 
• Maintain a proper diet by eating healthy, nutritious food.

Conclusion

Although figures vary, some have indicated that claustrophobia affects 12.5% of the population. If left untreated, claustrophobia can be crippling. Treatment, on the other hand, is usually effective.

If you’re suffering from claustrophobia symptoms, you should get help from a mental health professional or your family doctor as soon as possible. With assistance, you can work towards overcoming your fear and increasing your enjoyment of life. The good news is that claustrophobia can be overcome. You may learn to cope with your triggers, manage your fear of tight spaces, and live a peaceful life with treatment and your commitment to putting the strategies you learn in therapy into practice.