Overview
Often people will use the term Claustrophobic loosely when in a crowd or an elevator to describe the feeling of being closed in. Those with Claustrophobia are well aware of the feelings associated with the true disorder. Dealing with small spaces can create intense discomfort and panic in a person with Claustrophobia. Something as simple as riding in a car or going into a dressing room can evoke anxiety and may keep them from living a normal life.
Claustrophobia can occur in children and adults and the cause can be different for everyone but the pattern is similar for most. Typically there is an occurrence of being closed in and afraid as a child with a period of fear of enclosed spaces that dissipates and then reoccurs in young adulthood as Claustrophobia. For some, the exposure to small spaces is required and this may aid to end the disorder prior to the need for therapeutic intervention, while others may be able to avoid small spaces or be enabled to do so by family and friends. Symptoms for Claustrophobia present differently in children than in adults. In children who are unable to communicate the fear or whose fear has been ignored may show behavioral changes. Children may become extremely clingy, freeze up, tantrum, cry, or attempt to flee when facing or anticipating going into an enclosed place.
In some cases the child may not have a clear connection between the trigger and the fear response so the panic may seem random to a caretaker. It is important to take note of the situations in which the child shows the related behaviors. The behavior of a child with a phobia will often mimic other disorders so it is important to explore the behaviors with a mental health professional or school counselor. For the person who is able to communicate their fear the symptoms will include an aversion to entering enclosed places such as an elevator, car, or small bathroom. Panic symptoms will be present as well which include emotional and physical distress. The person may exhibit sweating, shaking, hyperventilating, or crying. They will experience an increase in heart rate and an extreme desire to avoid the places that bring on the panic. It is not necessary for the person to only have the panic while feeling enclosed, the panic may occur days in advance of knowing the situation will happen such as getting an MRI.
Treatment
The treatment for Claustrophobia is the same as for most phobias and includes Cognitive Behavior Therapy and relaxation techniques. Cognitive Behavior Therapy is used to allow the client to reframe the fear and look at it from a more rational perspective. They will learn ways to cope with the fear through relaxation, deep breathing, and muscle tension reduction. Usually, the counselor will use exposure therapy to deal with the tension in vivo so that the client can learn to disturb the feedback loop or deal with the emotions that occur when in enclosed areas that are specific to the client’s fear. Claustrophobia is highly treatable and some may be able to overcome the fear without counseling if they are able to face their fear and use soothing music, a comforting object, or a trusted person to push through the fear. If the Claustrophobia is severe enough then the client may find it helpful to use medication to help in reducing anxiety symptoms. Medication can be used long term for underlying conditions or short term if the only concern is Claustrophobia.
Image Credit: Laura Lewis - www.flickr.com/photos/64340262@N07/7515257538
