What is Claustrophobia?
Claustrophobia is an irrational fear of enclosed places. This condition is one of the ten most common anxiety disorders that affect people from all walks of life. The fear is not of tight space itself but of the thought of having no ability to escape from the confining area. For other people, this fear may seem a little ridiculous but for the sufferer, this problem can be embarrassing and debilitating.
Derived from the Latin word claustrum or “shut in place” and phobos, the Greek word for “fear”, claustrophobia is found to affect about 15% to 37% of the world’s population.
Symptoms of Claustrophobia
The onset of panic may varies from one sufferer to another. A claustrophobic may feel a bolt of sudden fear when getting into an elevator or going inside a low-ceilinged cellar. A common trigger for a sufferer of the condition arises when they need to go through an MRI machine. Being restrained or incarcerated can also bring about different manifestations of the disorder.
Claustrophobia is a psychosomatic disorder. The fear itself is psychological in nature and manifests physically. This intense fear usually stems from a traumatic childhood experience. The brain stores the memories including the horrifying moments during the actual incident. During a panic attack, a claustrophobic may experience one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
- cold sweat
- hyper-ventilation
- trembling
- chest congestion
- palpitations
- elevated blood pressure
- nausea
- urinary incontinence
- fainting
- migraine
- hyper-acidity
- temporary dementia
When to Seek Help
Medicaments such as antidepressants and beta blockers are measures that control the physical symptoms of anxiety. However, some suggest that these medications are habit-forming and may in fact cause secondary complications which is why some elect to choose alternative means to address the problem like hypnotherapy.
The practice of hypnotherapy in treating and managing claustrophobia is gaining ground. Hypnosis is now seen by some as an accepted form of intervention that is non-invasive and chemical-free.
Claustrophobic patients with me normally see results after one session. But three sessions are recommended initially to evaluate the effectiveness of hypnosis with your condition.
Sources:
- “Phobias: A Handbook of Theory, Research and Treatment”. April 1997. Edited by Graham C. Davey of University of Sussex, UK. Web. http://as.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0471969834.html. Accessed 23 May 2014.
- “What is Claustrophobia? What Causes Claustrophobia?” Published 21 April 2011, updated 25 September 2013.
Please Note:
I do not give diagnosis or dispense medication. The contents in this website do not intend to replace medical advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed medical practitioner or a professional healthcare provider.