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22 November, 2009

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Claustrophobia

A phobia is a form of anxiety disorder in which someone has an intense and irrational fear of certain objects or situations. Anyone suffering from high levels of anxiety is at risk of developing a phobia. One of the most common phobias is claustrophobia, or the fear of enclosed spaces. A person who has claustrophobia may panic when inside a lift, aeroplane, crowded room or other confined area.

Some other phobias, borne from anxiety, include social phobia – fear of embarrassing yourself in front of others – and agoraphobia, which is the fear of open spaces. The cause of anxiety disorders such as phobias is thought to be a combination of genetic vulnerability and life experience. With appropriate treatment, it is possible to overcome claustrophobia or any other phobia.

Symptoms of an anxiety attack
If a person suffering from claustrophobia suddenly finds themselves in an enclosed space, they may have an anxiety attack. Symptoms can include:

Sweating
Accelerated heart rate
Hyperventilation, or ‘overbreathing’
Shaking
Light-headedness
Nausea
Fainting
Fear of actual harm or illness.

Specific symptoms of claustrophobia
When in an enclosed space, the signs of claustrophobia may include:

Inside a room – automatically checking for the exits, standing near the exits or feeling alarmed when all doors are closed.
Inside a vehicle, such as a car – avoiding times when traffic is known to be heavy.
Inside a building – preferring to take the stairs rather than the lift, and not because of health reasons.
At a party – standing near the door in a crowded room, even if the room is large and spacious.
In extreme cases – for a person with severe claustrophobia, a closed door will trigger feelings of panic.

The catch-22 of avoidance
Once a person has experienced a number of anxiety attacks, they become increasingly afraid of experiencing another. They start to avoid the objects or situations that bring on the attack. However, any coping technique that relies on avoidance can only make the phobia worse. It seems that anticipating the possibility of confinement within a small space intensifies the feelings of anxiety and fear.

The thought of treatment can be frightening
For someone with a disabling phobia, the realisation that this fear is irrational and that treatment is needed can cause further anxiety. Since most treatment options depend on confronting the feared situation or object, the person may feel reluctant.

Support and encouragement from family and friends is crucial. A person trying to overcome a phobia may find some treatment methods particularly challenging and will need the love and understanding of their support people. The therapist may even ask the family members or friends to attend certain sessions, in order to bolster the courage of the person seeking treatment.

Treatment
Treating phobias, including claustrophobia, relies on psychological methods. Depending on the person, some of these methods may include:

Flooding – this is a form of exposure treatment, where the person is exposed to their phobic trigger until the anxiety attack passes. The realisation that they have encountered their most dreaded object or situation, and come to no actual harm, can be a powerful form of therapy.
Counter-conditioning – if the person is far too fearful to attempt flooding, then counter-conditioning can be an option. The person is taught to use specific relaxation and visualisation techniques when experiencing phobia-related anxiety. The phobic trigger is slowly introduced, step-by-step, while the person concentrates on attaining physical and mental relaxation. Eventually, they can confront the source of their fear without feeling anxious. This is known as systematic desensitisation.
Modelling – the person watches other people confront the phobic trigger without fear and is encouraged to imitate that confidence.
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) – the person is encouraged to confront and change the specific thoughts and attitudes that lead to feelings of fear.
Medications – such as tranquillisers and antidepressants. Drugs known as beta blockers may be used to treat the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a pounding heart.

Length of treatment
The person may be treated as an outpatient or, sometimes, as an inpatient if their phobia is particularly severe. Generally, treatment consists of around eight to 10 weeks of bi-weekly sessions.

Where to get help

Sane Australia Helpline Tel. 1800 187 263
Your doctor
Psychologist
Psychiatrist
Trained therapist

Things to remember

A phobia is an intense and irrational fear of certain objects or situations.
A person who has claustrophobia may panic when inside an enclosed space, such as a lift, aeroplane or crowded room.
With appropriate treatment, it is possible to overcome claustrophobia or any other phobia.

You might also be interested in:
Agoraphobia.
Anxiety - treatment options.
Anxiety disorders.
Breathing to reduce stress.
Cognitive behaviour therapy.
Fear and anxiety - children.
Fear of flying.
Hypnosis.
Stress can become a serious illness.

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