One of the most common types of phobia is the fear of confined spaces or claustrophobia. It is an anxiety disorder that involves the fear of enclosed spaces. The cause of anxiety disorders, such as claustrophobia, is thought to be a combination of genetic vulnerability and life experience. Anyone experiencing high levels of anxiety is at risk of developing a phobia.

Like many phobias, claustrophobia is often associated with past incidents in one's life, especially those that involve a traumatic ordeal. Events during one's childhood are often cited as the culprit for such anxiety disorder.

Symptoms of a Claustrophobic Anxiety Attack

If you find yourself inside an enclosed space, and you happen to be a claustrophobe, there are symptoms that might tell you that a panic attack is likely to ensue, which includes:

• Sweating
• Hyperventilation or over-breathing
• Accelerated heart rate
• Nausea
• Shaking
• Fainting
• Feeling lightheaded
• Fear of actual illness or harm

Confessions of a Claustrophobic Mind

The behavior and mentality--regarding certain matters--of a person suffering from claustrophobia may be quite peculiar. Due to a claustrophobe's fear of confined spaces, some of his daily activities may be affected and his approach to certain occasions may be treated with uncertainty.

Here is a list of how a claustrophobe would react in specific situations wherein a confined space is part of the equation:

• Inside a room. No, a claustrophobe would not have the doors or a part of the wall removed. Rather, he would meticulously check for the exits. He might also stay near the exits just in case and continuously be in motion just to feel at ease.
• Inside a vehicle, such as a car. No, a claustrophobe would not be caught driving a convertible all the time, especially at night. Rather, he would probably avoid riding a vehicle when traffic is expected to be heavy.
• Inside a building. No, a claustrophobe would not ride the window cleaner's lift. Rather, he would take the stairs instead of using the elevator, and it is not for health reasons.
• At a party. No, a claustrophobe would not ruin the fun by having the party transferred to the nearest park. Rather, he would stand near a door in a crowded room, even though the area is spacious enough to fit a horde of buffalo.
• In extreme cases. No, an extreme claustrophobe would not cut out his throat because of breathing difficulty. Rather, he would probably stay away from confined spaces, especially those that are new to him.

People who suffer from claustrophobia and are often bothered by anxiety attacks are expected to formulate a coping technique to counter the possibility of another attack. However, any preemptive action that relies on avoidance can make matters worse. The anticipation involved with the possibility of confinement would only intensify the feelings of fear, which would end up causing the person greater anxiety.

Overcoming the Fear of Confined Spaces

If you are suffering from claustrophobia, it would be difficult to get rid of this debilitating disorder by just talking to a counselor. Claustrophobia can really hamper your life when not beaten, which is why conquering such fear is essential. Easier said than done, an experienced therapist can definitely help you overcome this fear, however, your willingness to face the challenge and overcome this fear is the most important factor. Facing such fear may look like a walk in the park, but it can be almost impossible for some. Also, the support, understanding, and encouragement from family and friends are crucial.

Treatment for Claustrophobia

Since claustrophobia is basically in one's head, treating such phobia requires psychological methods. Depending on the situation, here are methods of overcoming claustrophobia:

• Flooding. By exposing a claustrophobe to his phobic trigger until the anxiety attack passes, he would realize the result of facing such challenge. He would be able to come to a conclusion that facing this dreaded situation would actually do him no harm. This a powerful form of therapy. And of course you do not literally drown the person in flooded water.

• Counter-conditioning or systematic desensitization. Flooding is more confrontational and some claustrophobes would rather choose a more indirect approach. Counter-conditioning is a method that requires patients to use specific visualization and relaxation techniques during phobia-related anxieties.

  In this case, the phobia trigger is introduced step-by-step. The eventual acceptance of the person of such phobia trigger, while focusing on attaining mental and physical relaxation, allows him to realize his capacity to endure and face the fear. This is a gradual process that requires patience, time, and money. And of course you do not torture the person just to have him overcome his fears.

• Modelling. A technique wherein a claustrophobic person watches other people suffering from the same condition confront their phobic trigger without fear. This encourages claustrophobes to imitate the confidence shown by others who are willing to overcome their fears. And of course you do not fake the actual process or the participants. However, if the person watching sees a failure of process, then it would only discourage him even more. This technique actually depends on good timing and confidence on other people.

• Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). In this type of phobic rehabilitation, the person suffering from claustrophobia is asked to confront and change the specific attitudes and thoughts that led to his feelings of fear. Of course you do not perform lobotomy just to shake his head a little bit.

• Medications. If the claustrophobe is unable to overcome his fear of confined spaces after doing the four earlier methods, then medication may be the only solution. Tranquilizers and antidepressants are drugs known as beta blockers, and they treat the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a pounding heart. And yes, he may become a drug addict, of sorts.

Treatment of claustrophobia may take days, weeks, months, or even years. Depending on the mindset of the claustrophobic person and the level of his phobia, treatment has no time frame. The bottom line, for the claustrophobe, when dealing with claustrophobia is to have the courage to try and conquer such fear. It is not about being able to lock yourself inside a bank vault that would prove a fearless lifestyle, it is just a matter of living life without the hassles of restlessness and paranoia.

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