Claustrophobia is the fear of closed spaces and a person who suffers with this condition is said to be claustrophobic. Claustrophobia is, according to Epigee.org, one of the most common phobias in America. Claustrophobics will often show a level of anxiety or fear when presented with certain closed spaces, or may have such a large degree of fear that they are afraid of all closed spaces and may even have a panic attack when they come near one.
Traumatic Events
Claustrophobia can derive from traumatic childhood or adult experiences, according to Epigee.org. Such circumstances as being stuck in a bathroom or an amusement park ride as a child, or being trapped in a train crash or an elevator as an adult, can initially cause the condition. People who have claustrophobia from these types of events may become terribly afraid of certain places or situations. They may become fearful of other closed in places such as stairwells, airplanes, taxicabs, elevators, concerts or arenas. People who become seriously claustrophobic may avoid any places that remind them of their fears, which can lead to social withdrawal and depression.
Panic Disorder
A panic disorder is characterized by unexpected periods of fear accompanied by symptoms, which can include weakness, fainting, heart racing, dizziness, sweating, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, abdominal distress, chest pain and hot flashes, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. People with this condition seem to panic for no reason. This panic attack can occur anywhere and in any situation. People who experience these episodes while being in an enclosed space may develop claustrophobia. Many times, people with panic disorder will associate the panic attack with an event or their surroundings. They will avoid these places and things as to not have another panic attack; this avoidance in turn, may develop into phobias over time.
Learned Behavior
People who do not receive treatment for claustrophobia may develop panic attacks whenever they are around anything that reminds them of their closed-in fear. To avoid panic attacks, these claustrophobics will avoid whatever conditions prompt the attacks. As a result of constant avoidance, the brain becomes programmed to fear a particular enclosure, no matter the location, or claustrophobia may occur as soon as the claustrophobic is around any enclosed space. For example, a person may start off being afraid of elevators, but after some time, he also becomes afraid of heavy traffic, or will need to know where all the exits are in buildings before he can feel safe.
