It is always good to know about phobias while dealing with one. For example, you might be dealing with claustrophobia if you are terrified of enclosed spaces and get uncomfortable in them. It is an anxiety disorder which affects you in a tight space, causing various symptoms and discomfort.
Are you concerned about claustrophobia and wish to know more about it? This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide regarding this disorder.
Claustrophobia refers to a problematic situation when you are scared of confined spaces. Here are some common confined areas that can trigger an attack of this phobia.
It is a common phobia which generates fear and panic among individuals. When suffering from this, your ability to function at work, school, or other daily activities can be restricted. You will have to avoid subways and tunnels while travelling. While having an attack, it becomes challenging to concentrate and function, and it can also cause insomnia.
The symptoms of claustrophobia are often similar to anxiety and panic attacks, as this phobia triggers these issues. While these might differ on an individual level, the following symptoms are generally seen in people with this phobia. There are two kinds of symptoms.
Some of the physical symptoms are as follows -
Some of the emotional symptoms are as follows -
The clinical researchers are yet to understand the exact causes of claustrophobia. However, in their opinion, some possible reasons might include the following.
The diagnosis of claustrophobia is usually a simple and fast process. You must visit a healthcare professional or psychologist if you observe the above mentioned symptoms. The doctors will likely ask you about the signs and your medical history. They might ask you to fill out a questionnaire to directly ask detailed questions regarding your interactions and relationships with your family, friends and overall circle. The questions can be related to the following.
It is essential to consider treatment of claustrophobia, as it can intensify the attacks over time. These attacks will gradually limit your activities and exposure to the world. The first step is to contact a psychiatrist or psychologist regarding the symptoms and issues. The treatment procedure might differ on individual levels. Commonly, the following methods are used here.
This is a type of psychotherapy where you are allowed to expose your fears and vulnerability. With repeated exposure, you start feeling comfortable and capable of confronting these. This therapy might include facing the phobia in real time, recalling past traumatic experiences to get close to similar environments.
This therapy puts you in situations that frighten you and then help you overcome them with proper confrontation. Initially, you can look into your memories or visual illustrators, slowly allowing you to enter the space and confront the issues.
This type of psychotherapy is often considered talk therapy. It focuses on managing the phobia by helping to change your way of thinking, feeling and behaving. During this procedure, the doctor will discuss your symptoms and ask about the details of your feelings. They will also try to throw light upon your responses.
Moreover, you will also learn the ways to recognise and re-evaluate your ways of thinking. It also improves your problem-solving skills and ability to cope with the situation. As a result, you can keep your body and mind calm while dealing with an attack.
This method uses computer simulations of tight spaces, such as elevators, MRI machines or rooms without ventilation. It helps you experience the tight space in a virtual world, where you can confront your fear without putting your health at risk. This way, you can slowly recover from this phobia.
This method helps you calm your mind and relax your body muscles. Usually, in this phobia, your body and mind start feeling stress and tension, further intensifying this condition. It can result in a panic attack. With proper relaxation techniques like medication and music therapy, you can start managing your mind and controlling the level of stress.
While these therapies are the primary treatment procedures, doctors sometimes suggest medication if they fail to work effectively. For example, medicines can be effective in treating anxiety and stress that comes from claustrophobia. Commonly, these are provided if you do not have enough time for regular therapy sessions. Normally, the following drugs are prescribed.
Apart from seeking professional help through medication and therapies, you can also try to work on your phobia and conditions through some extra effort. These might help you feel more comfortable in an enclosed space. For example, the following tips can be helpful.
Hopefully, now you know all about claustrophobia and how to cope with it. This article pointed out that this phobia can cause anxiety and panic attacks. It is therefore essential to identify the problem and get proper treatment from the beginning. Moreover, you can change your lifestyle to avoid the intensity of such attacks.
Please try one more time!
Disclaimer #1: *Customer can choose options at the time of availing insurance. Premium amount may vary accordingly. Insured is required to disclose any pre-existing condition or on going treatment before policy issuance in the proposal form.
Disclaimer #2: This information is added only for informative purposes and collected from different sources across the Internet. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the information before making any decisions.
Continue with {{twoWheelerCtrl.lastVisitedData.lastVisitedUrl.indexOf('DigitPaymentGateway/payments')
!== -1 ? 'payment
completion': 'previous
choice'}}
{{healthCtrl.lastVisitedData.dropOffPolicyHolderData ? 'Complete your purchase': healthCtrl.lastVisitedData.lastVisitedUrl.indexOf('plans-page')
!== -1 ? 'Continue Browsing' : 'Continue with your previous choice'}}
