Claustrophobia causes anxiety and irrational fear in people who are frightened to be enclosed in small spaces. They may feel trapped with no way of getting out. The intensity of their feelings can lead to emotional and physical reactions. Claustrophobics may avoid elevators to take the stairs. In a room that is crowded, they may stand near the door or exit. Just the closing of a door in a room may cause panic. Treatment is necessary to manage the problem.
Considerations
Claustrophobia may run in families, or it may develop early in childhood or during the teen years, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. However, the cause is not fully known. For many people, the disorder disappears when they become adults. But when claustrophobia continues, it can disrupt a person's career, social life and the normal activities of daily living. People may develop claustrophobia if the find they are becoming nervous or anxious in an enclosed area. The problem can be compounded when they continually try to avoid situations when they believe their phobia might strike. But this only enhances anxiety attacks or phobias.
Symptoms
The anxiety and fear of claustrophobia can result in physical effects. Feelings of dread, terror or panic may lead to sweating, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, shaking, light-headedness or fainting. The symptoms can appear when the person just anticipates certain situations will bring on the attacks, which is why some claustrophobics end up trying to avoid the situations.
Exposure
For some people with claustrophobia, just thinking about treatment can make them anxious or upset, because they realize their fears are irrational and treatment is needed. Cognitive behavior therapy by psychotherapists may be used to help the patient change thoughts and attitudes that cause the claustrophobic reactions. They learn to turn negative thoughts into positive thinking. Sometimes people can overcome the disorder by being exposed to the phobia. It may have to be attempted a number of times, but the patient soon realizes no harm comes when being involved in feared situations.
Relaxation Techniques
Another way to help someone confront the phobia is to practice relaxation methods, such as slowly breathing in and out, whenever in an uncomfortable situation. Patients also can learn visualization techniques. The person can be taught this by being slowly introduced to triggers that cause the phobia, according to Better Health Channel. The patient uses relaxation techniques or pleasant imagery to calm down, eventually becoming able to confront the phobia without fear.
Medication
Antidepressants and tranquilizers are sometimes used to treat claustrophobia. Medication to control physical reactions, such as rapid heartbeat, is also an option. But medication is not a cure. It can help when being used with other therapies to overcome the disorder.
