Claustrophobia is a condition that usually develops during the childhood or teenage years. It is classified as the intense and recurring fear of being in enclosed spaces or confined areas. In some cases, the condition may disappear during adulthood, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. It is more likely to affect women than men.
Cause
There isn't any known cause of claustrophobia. It is suggested by Pegasus Neuro-Linguistic Program that claustrophobia is a learned condition. That means that people aren't born with the phobia. Instead, going through a traumatic event involving an enclosed space, or hearing intense stories of disasters, is often the reason the phobia begins. Once the phobia begins, the sufferer avoids situations that may exacerbate the phobia, which in turn makes the phobia worse.
In some cases, claustrophobia becomes a problem as the result of another condition. One example is irritable bowel syndrome, because of the fear of being stuck in a room without access to the bathroom.
Symptoms
Someone who has claustrophobia will experience a variety of symptoms when in a situation that triggers the fear. An increased heart rate, trouble breathing, nausea and sweating are the most common symptoms. Some less common symptoms include lightheadedness, fainting, hives, a rash, shaking and hyperventilation.
Effects
A person with claustrophobia will avoid certain circumstances involving closed doors or small spaces. This can cause significant changes to the way the person lives his life. In some cases, claustrophobia can be a debilitating disease. The most common way that claustrophobia affects a sufferer is that he will always look for the exits of a room or building when he goes to a new place.
As the condition worsens, he may begin to avoid traveling during the day or during rush hour for fear of being stuck in the vehicle. Air travel may become difficult. Getting adequate medical care poses a problem, as someone with claustrophobia is worried about tests involving tight spaces, such as MRIs or CT scans. In extreme conditions, the sufferer's social life becomes nonexistent, as he may be concerned about getting stuck in a crowd.
Treatments
For mild to moderate cases of claustrophobia, medication may not be necessary. In this case, cognitive treatments that prove the fears wrong may be appropriate. Gradual exposure or virtual reality treatments are sometimes effective. A patient using these will slowly acclimate herself to being in smaller spaces. Breathing exercises are sometimes used to control the breathing during a claustrophobia attack. In extreme cases, antidepressants or beta blockers may be prescribed to help control the phobia.
