Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia is an anxiety-based psychological disorder. It is characterized by an intense, irrational fear of confined spaces. Those afflicted with claustrophobia may avoid common confined spaces such as cars, airplanes, or elevators. Exposure to these spaces may trigger panic attacks. The afflicted person's aversion to confined spaces is often strong enough to actively interfere with their daily lives.

The disorder is closely related to other anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. It is often treated in a similar manner to these disorders. Most commonly, those with claustrophobia are treated with a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. In many cases, claustrophobia can be overcome.

Background

Anxiety disorders were recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1980. Prior to this time, medical practitioners did not understand the symptoms and psychological mechanisms behind anxiety disorders, and often declared that those afflicted were just overstressed. Many doctors in previous eras even thought that the symptoms of anxiety disorders exclusively affected women. This incorrect conclusion was probably reached because men were less likely to report their symptoms to a physician.

Because anxiety disorders were poorly understood, the treatments prescribed by medical professionals were usually ineffective. In the medieval era, physicians prescribed various herbs and balms to calm the afflicted individual. In later periods, physicians prescribed bloodletting, bathing in cold streams, and repeated exposure to extreme temperatures to treat the symptoms of anxiety.

Physicians did not truly begin to understand the symptoms of anxiety until the work of Sigmund Freud. Freud pioneered psychoanalysis, a school of treatment in which patients are encouraged to talk through their anxieties with a therapist. Freud defined anxiety as a powerful reaction to perceived danger or expected injury. Through psychoanalysis, therapists began to piece together the various symptoms of anxiety disorders.

Overview

Most people feel anxious during tense times in their lives. They feel anxious before making important decisions, attempting difficult tasks, or confronting something they fear. They may feel tense, nervous, irritable, and fatigued, or have difficulty concentrating. However, those who have anxiety disorders experience those feelings outside ordinary circumstances. They may experience these symptoms when no threats, decisions, or difficult tasks are imminent. They may also experience these symptoms more strongly than the average person may. In many cases, the symptoms are so powerful that the afflicted individual finds himself or herself incapacitated. These occasions are called panic attacks.

Panic attacks are characterized by a variety of symptoms, including sweating, shaking, choking, severe chest pain, hot flashes, and an imminent fear of death. They are a common symptom of panic disorder, which is anxiety based. Like many anxiety-based disorders, panic disorder manifests symptoms so powerful that the afflicted person exhibits avoidance behavior. The panic attacks create so much discomfort that the afflicted person will make significant efforts to avoid whatever behavior brings on the symptoms.

Other anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and agoraphobia. People with GAD experience greatly increased anxiety symptoms. They may be easily startled, feel unable to relax, worry a disproportionate amount about everyday concerns, feel light-headed, or sweat profusely. They may be unable to let go of stress or worry, even if the stressful event has passed. They may also worry about illogical things.

People with OCD experience intrusive and uncontrollable thoughts. They may be obsessed with repeating a ritual, such as touching objects or washing their hands, and may be compelled by anxiety to continue repeating this ritual. The compulsion to complete these rituals may become so strong that it interferes with the individual's daily life.

People with SAD experience unusual amounts of anxiety from social interaction. If the anxiety is left unchecked, the individual may begin to experience panic attacks when exposed to unfamiliar situations or large numbers of people. This is similar to agoraphobia, a condition in which individuals experience panic attacks when exposed to large, open spaces or crowds of people.

Claustrophobia is a common anxiety disorder that involves moderate to severe symptoms similar to those of other anxiety disorders. Unlike other anxiety disorders, people with claustrophobia experience panic attacks and other physical and psychological symptoms when exposed to small spaces. Specifically, people with claustrophobia have an irrational fear of being trapped or enclosed. Panic attacks may be triggered in cars, elevators, stairwells, subways, or airplanes. In particularly severe cases, panic attacks may be triggered by sitting in a room with the door closed.

Scientists believe that claustrophobia is caused by a mix of genetic predispositions and environmental factors. Patients with a family history of claustrophobia or other anxiety disorders are at a higher risk for developing claustrophobia at some point in their lives. Additionally, claustrophobia may be caused by a traumatic experience that occurred in an enclosed space.

A variety of treatments is available for claustrophobia. Psychiatrists may prescribe medications designed to reduce anxiety, or medications that reduce the more severe symptoms of anxiety. While these medications will not cure the anxiety associated with claustrophobia, they may make the condition easier to manage. Additionally, some medical professionals suggest that individuals with claustrophobia engage in targeted relaxation and visualization exercises. These exercises are designed to prepare afflicted persons for stressful situations they may encounter in the future. Lastly, many medical professionals advise individuals with claustrophobia to engage in cognitive behavioral therapy. Through this type of therapy, individuals with claustrophobia will slowly learn to face confined spaces without fear, overcoming their anxiety. In many cases, cognitive behavioral therapy is combined with medication to form a multifaceted treatment plan.

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