The word claustrophobia comes from the Greek word, “phobos,” which means fear, and the Latin word, “claustrum,” which means “A closed-in place.” Claustrophobia means a fear of small or enclosed spaces or a fear of being trapped.
Many of my patients are fearful of using the elevators or MRT. Some would also avoid going to theatres or cinemas; if they have to go to such places, they will opt for an aisle seat so that they can have access to the exit easily. Some are fearful of entering a small, windowless room, or even an aeroplane. The feeling of being closed in without being able to get out can actually lead to a panic attack. Some report feeling giddy and feeling disorientated. For some individuals, wearing tight-necked clothing may also cause feelings of claustrophobia.
Claustrophobia is definitely not a rare condition. Studies indicate that about 7% of the population is affected by the problem. A person who has claustrophobia knows that the fear is irrational, but even thinking about the fear can create anxiety.
There are two main ways of managing the problem. First of all, is using cognitive behavioural therapy. First, the individual needs to learn some relaxation methods, so that he can calm himself down. Second, together with the psychiatrist or therapist, they will learn to construct a hierarchy of feared situations. For some individuals, even the mere thought of entering a crowded place already makes them anxious. In therapy, we can get the individual to think of such a situation and then learn to calm himself down. The individual then gets to deal with more challenging situations, like entering a crowded grocery stall or the shopping centre on a w weekend. Third, to address the negative thoughts associated with the situations. Many individuals feel anxious as they tend to see events or situations as a catastrophe; some would undermine their own abilities to deal with the situation.
Anxiety disorder often occurs as the brain lacks certain chemicals or neurotransmitters like serotonin. Therefore it came as no surprise that many patients with claustrophobia do report an improvement in their symptoms after they start taking SSRIs like Sertraline, Paroxetine, Fluvoxamine and Escitalopram.
The important step is to seek help early from a mental health professional. Claustrophobia can be disabling and many individuals start to cut down on their social activities and avoid going out of their house. This needs not be so and the persons with anxiety disorder do not have to suffer in silence. We need to be honest with our fears, seek treatment early, overcome our fears so that we can lead a normal life again.
