Claustrophobia (Fear of Small Spaces) Causes & Coping

Claustrophobia (Fear of Small Spaces) Causes & Coping Phobias Types Print An Overview of Claustrophobia (Fear of Enclosed Spaces) By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial policy Lisa Fritscher Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 12, 2018 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on June 04, 2019 David Sacks/The Image Bank/Getty Images More in Phobias Types Causes Symptoms and Diagnosis Treatment In This Article Table of Contents Expand Symptoms Possible Causes Complications Diagnosis Treatment View All Back To Top Claustrophobia is defined as a fear of enclosed spaces. Like any phobia, the severity of claustrophobia can vary widely from person to person. You may experience symptoms in small rooms, crawl spaces, crowds, and many other situations. Some people who are claustrophobic are uncomfortable in elevators, on amusement park rides that use secure restraints (such as roller coasters), public restrooms, or even revolving doors. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) chambers and other medical testing can also be difficult or impossible if you suffer from claustrophobia. Symptoms If youre claustrophobic, you may experience mild  anxiety in a confined space or even severe panic attacks, and the symptoms may worsen the longer you stay where you are. You might cry, yell, and attempt to get out of the situation by any means possible. While not everyone reacts to claustrophobia in the same way, symptoms can include:Feeling like the walls are closing inChills or feeling hotSweatingShakingDifficulty breathingChoking feelingFeeling faint or dizzyRinging in your earsNauseaConfusionChest painHeart palpitationsHeadacheDry mouthAn uncontrollable urge to urinate Eventually, you may begin to dread activities that could cause you to feel closed in. In addition, severe claustrophobia can lead to fears of fainting, losing control, or even dying. You might skip crowded parties or other events, avoid rides that use shoulder restraints, leave the door open when you enter small rooms, or make many other concessions to your fear. Possible Causes Researchers are not yet certain what factors may cause claustrophobia. Many speculate that it may be rooted in bad childhood experiences. Others believe that it may be a warping of an evolutionary survival mechanism. Researchers from Emory University concluded that people who falsely perceive the distance beyond their arms reach are more likely to experience claustrophobic fear. Either way, it appears that a history of being nervous in enclosed spaces may eventually lead to full-blown claustrophobia. Complications Being claustrophobic can severely limit your life, causing you to miss out on things you would otherwise enjoy and even place undue stress on your health. For example, claustrophobia can be a challenge when it comes to travel. Flying gets the trip over with quickly but forces you to confine yourself to a small seat surrounded by strangers. Train travel provides large comfortable seats and allows you to walk around, but takes a long time, perhaps leaving you feeling trapped. Driving can feel confining but gives you the ability to stop for stretch breaks whenever you like. An anticipated vacation can turn negative once you find yourself in one of these situations, or these concerns may prevent you from even booking a trip in the first place. While these moments may seem fleeting, repeated panic attacks and feelings of dread and anxiety can cause persistently elevated stress, which can be harmful to the body. Medically, claustrophobia can be dangerous because it could cause you to avoid having necessary MRI tests. Diagnosis Knowing you have a fear of enclosed spaces may seem like enough to formalize a diagnosis of claustrophobia, but like other phobias, there are specific diagnostic criteria that must be met. Among them: Your fear of tight spaces hinders your ability to engage in routine activities.You make a special effort to avoid situations involving enclosed spaces, like taking the stairs instead of riding in an elevator.Anxiety grows in anticipation of times when you may be in such a situation. A mental health professional can evaluate you in regards to these criteria and determine if your symptoms are truly the result of a phobia, panic disorder, or another issue. Treatment Treatment for claustrophobia depends on the person and severity of symptoms. There are various treatments available, including: Psychotherapy   Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in particular has been shown to be quite successful in treating claustrophobia. Exposure therapy is another treatment that can be effective. Medication Along with psychological treatment, your doctor or therapist may prescribe anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants to help manage your symptoms. Low-dose anti-anxiety medication may be an option for upcoming travel if you are traveling by airplane, cruise ship, or other means of travel that may be a usual cause of claustrophobia for you. Be sure to pay close attention to dosage and medication instructions, as you may need to start taking the medication several days before you travel or follow other procedures such as taking the drug with a meal or avoiding alcohol. Behavioral Techniques Systematic desensitization, counter-conditioning, modeling, and flooding  are often used in conjunction with cognitive methods such as the Stop! Technique. The methods work together to help change both your behaviors and your feelings of fear. Alternative Treatments Some people find relief through hypnosis and other alternative forms of treatment. Others find that self-help methods such as visualization can help them through claustrophobia attacks. If you decide to try alternative methods of treatment, be sure to get the approval of your mental health professional. A Word From Verywell Claustrophobia can be debilitating if its not treated. However, treatment is usually successful. If youre experiencing any symptoms of claustrophobia, its important to contact a mental health professional or your family doctor as soon as possible. With help, you can work toward freeing yourself of this fear and enjoying life that much more. How to Know If You Have Cabin Fever or Fear of Isolation