All about claustrophobia; From the root to the main treatments
ClaustrophobiaWhat is claustrophobia?
Claustrophobia is an anxiety disorder in which a person is afraid of being in closed and cramped places. This fear can be so intense that the person avoids doing their daily activities, such as going to the elevator, subway or tunnel.
In other words, claustrophobia is an intense fear of closed spaces, many fears seem reasonable. We all try to avoid things that make us sad. The difference between a fear and a phobia is that a phobia is an intense and irrational fear of one or more things or situations. Also, with a phobia, your level of fear does not match the actual danger presented by the feared object or situation.
When the fear interferes with your ability to perform daily activities, it is defined as a phobia. Phobias can limit your ability to work effectively, affect your relationships, and lower your self-esteem.
About 12.5% of the population suffers from claustrophobia. A typical person with a specific phobia, such as claustrophobia, fears three objects or situations. About 75% of people with specific phobia are afraid of more than one object or situation.
Common triggers of claustrophobia include the following:
The tunnels
Elevators
trains
Airplanes
Small cars
The caves
MRI imaging device
warehouses
Small rooms without windows or with windows that do not open
Thoughts about being in a confined space
People who suffer from claustrophobia feel anxious about being in a closed or cramped space, they may have difficulty concentrating and functioning, they are also overwhelmed with thoughts of being in a confined space, their thoughts may lead them to keep awake at night
Claustrophobia is more common in women than in men. Although anyone, at any age, can develop a specific phobia, most develop during childhood and adolescence.
About claustrophobiaSymptoms of claustrophobia
The symptoms of claustrophobia are similar to those of anxiety and panic attacks. You may experience Physical symptoms include the following:
– Sweating or strong shaking of the body
– Chest tightness or fast heartbeat.
Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing.
– Shivering or flushing (red and hot face).
– Feeling of suffocation
– Stomach discomfort or the feeling of having “butterflies” in the stomach as a popular correction
– Dizziness, feeling weak or lightheaded.
– Dry mouth.
– Feeling confused or confused.
Numbness or tingling.
– Ringing in the ears.
– Crying, anger, freezing or clinging (symptoms of a specific phobia in children).
Emotional symptoms also include the following:
– Fear of losing control
– Fear of fainting.
– A feeling of fear.
– Feeling of extreme anxiety.
– Feeling the strong need to leave the situation.
– Realize that fear is irrational, but you can't overcome it.
– Fear of dying
Symptoms of claustrophobiaDiagnosis of claustrophobia
If you have claustrophobia, you have a fear of closed spaces, and you know it's a problem because you take great care to avoid situations where you might encounter closed spaces.
You may be diagnosed with claustrophobia if you have all of the following:
– Your fear of closed spaces is severe and has existed for six months or more.
– Your fear or anxiety is about a specific situation or object – in this case, enclosed spaces such as an elevator or small car.
– Your fear and anxiety almost always occurs as soon as you face your specific fear or think about the fearful situation.
– You avoid your fearful situation or endure it with intense fear or anxiety.
– Your fear is not proportional to the real danger.
– Your fear causes you significant distress or significantly impairs your ability to function.
Treatment of claustrophobia
Exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are the two main treatments for claustrophobia.
Exposure therapy:
In exposure therapy, also called desensitization therapy, you are gradually exposed to your fearful situation. With gradual and repeated exposure, the goal is to get comfortable in your particular situation.
Exposure therapy may include:
– Confronting your fear phobia directly, in real time.
– Recalling and describing your scary experience.
– Looking at images or using virtual reality to get closer to the real scary experience while still being in a safe environment.
– Exposure therapy can be done in different ways. Treatment also includes relaxation and breathing exercises. Your psychologist will create a unique plan for you based on the severity of your symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):
This type of psychotherapy (talk therapy) focuses on managing your phobia by changing the way you think, feel, and behave.
During CBT, you will:
– Talk about your symptoms and describe how you feel.
– Explore your phobia deeper to gain an understanding of how to respond.
– Learn how to recognize, reevaluate and change your thinking.
– Use problem-solving skills to learn how to cope.
– Face the phobia instead of avoiding it.
– Learn how to keep your mind and body calm.
Diagnosis of claustrophobiaCauses of claustrophobia
Claustrophobia, also known as specific phobia, is the fear of certain objects, people or activities. Claustrophobia is one of the phobias that have different types, for example, fear of needles or heights are two different types of phobias.
If you have one of them, the areas of your brain involved in the fear response are overactive. Claustrophobia may be in your genome, research has found a defect in a gene called GPM6A that is thought to cause claustrophobia. If one of the parents suffers from this phobia, there is a possibility that the children will also suffer from it.
Sometimes a person develops claustrophobia after a traumatic event in childhood, such as:
– bullying
– The experience of abuse
– Getting stuck in a tight place like an elevator
Having another anxiety disorder increases the chance of having a fear of closed spaces. In this situation, any limited space can cause fear in you.
Prevention of claustrophobia
There is no surefire way to prevent claustrophobia. But by taking some measures, you can reduce the possibility of getting this disorder, including:
reducing anxiety; Anxiety can be reduced by doing activities such as exercise, meditation and yoga.
Avoiding closed and cramped places; If a person has a history of claustrophobia, it is better to avoid closed and cramped places.
Refer to a mental health specialist; If a person is experiencing symptoms of claustrophobia, they should see a mental health professional.
Exposure therapy for claustrophobiaA final word about claustrophobia
Claustrophobia is a common anxiety disorder that can significantly affect a person's life. Fortunately, claustrophobia is treatable, and with the right treatment, people can overcome their fear of confined spaces.
compilation: Department of psychology cover
