A person who is claustrophobic experiences intense fear and anxiety when triggered.
This article discusses claustrophobia.
It explores what it feels like to be claustrophobic and tweaks that trigger claustrophobia symptoms.
Laura Porter / Verywell
It also explains how claustrophobia is diagnosed and treatments to help you overcome a fear of confined spaces.
Laura Porter / Verywell
What Is Claustrophobia?
Claustrophobia is a key in of specific phobia.
Specific phobias are classified as anxiety disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
The fear and avoidance cause significant distress or impairment.
If you have claustrophobia, know that you are not alone.
Approximately 7.4% of people will experience a specific phobia, such as claustrophobia, in their lifetime.
Anyone of any age can develop claustrophobia, but there are some factors that will heighten your risk.
Whats the Difference Between Claustrophobia and Cleithrophobia?
Cleithrophobia, the fear of being trapped, is often confused with claustrophobia.
While the two sound similar, cleithrophobia relates to situations, whereas claustrophobia relates to space.
A claustrophobic person may feel trapped or locked in, even if they are free to leave.
What Are the Symptoms of Claustrophobia?
Claustrophobia symptoms overlap with other anxiety disorder symptoms.
What Are the Causes of Claustrophobia?
Scientists are unsure of the exact causes of claustrophobia, which likely differ from person to person.
There are, however, a few theories on the causes of specific phobias, and claustrophobia in particular.
Specific phobias, such as claustrophobia, are associated with overactivation of certain brain regions.
These include theamygdala, left insula, right thalamus, and cerebellum.
A 2011 study found that people with larger near spaces reported higher rates of claustrophobia.
This is likely related to the defensive function of near space.
Genetics
There also may be a genetic cause behind claustrophobia.
A 2013 study found that a mutation of the GPM6A gene is more frequent in individuals with claustrophobia.
How Is Claustrophobia Diagnosed?
These could include the Claustrophobia Scale or the Claustrophobia Questionnaire (CLQ).
How Is Claustrophobia Treated?
It is important to seek treatment for claustrophobia to get back to living your life to its fullest.
Treatment methods might include psychotherapy, medication, exposure therapy, virtual reality, and alternative therapies.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a common treatment for specific phobias like claustrophobia.
By gradually confronting the frightening stimulus with therapeutic support instead of avoiding it, you learn coping mechanisms.
Through exposure, the brain may actually rewire fear pathways.
A 2007 study found that exposure therapy normalized the over-activation in the amygdala among participants with specific phobias.
Medication
In addition to CBT, medication is a treatment option for claustrophobia.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality (VR) is another way to engage in exposure therapy for claustrophobia.
VR involves using a computer-generated environment to simulate a claustrophobic situation.
VR is useful as it is safe, and treatment scenarios are easily controlled by the clinician.
However, VR systems can also be expensive and inaccessible to some.
Research does support the use of virtual reality in treating claustrophobia, although more research is needed.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis may be an effective alternative treatment for claustrophobia although it has not been widely studied.
In hypnosis, you are guided into a trance-like state by a licensed hypnotherapy professional.
In this state, you are highly suggestible.
Among people with claustrophobia, hypnosis has largely been studied in relation to MRIs.
Avoiding MRI use can have negative health consequences.
Unfortunately, prolonged avoidance can actually worsen symptoms and have a profound negative impact on your life.
The panic can cause people to avoid situations that may trigger symptoms.
In the long run, however, avoidance will only make it worse.
If you experience panic related to being in tight spaces, talk to your healthcare provider.
If claustrophobia is stopping you from medical tests, like an MRI, short-term anti-anxiety medication can be prescribed.
Know that many people experience a phobia during their lifetime and treatment is available for claustrophobia.
If your symptoms are impacting your daily life, talk to your healthcare provider about options.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Anxiety disorders.
National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.
47(10):1744-1760. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000174
Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry.
Ipser JC, Singh L, Stein DJ.Meta-analysis of functional brain imaging in specific phobia.Psychiatry Clin Neurosci.
2013 Jul;67(5):311-22. doi: 10.1111/pcn.12055.
Lourenco SF, Longo MR, Pathman T.Near space and its relation to claustrophobic fear.Cognition.
doi:10.1038/tp.2013.28
Radomsky AS, Rachman S, Thordarson DS, McIsaac HK, Teachman BA.The claustrophobia questionnaire.J Anxiety Disord.
2015 Sep; 17(3): 337346.
In:2009 IEEE Virtual Reality Conference.
164(1):71-72. doi:10.1093/milmed/164.1.71
