Living with claustrophobia

It is known that between 2 and 5% of the world’s population suffers or suffered from claustrophobia at some point in their lives. In most cases, it appears after a traumatic experience in a closed space, such as a punishment for being children or the elevator having stopped.

In other people, The phobia of closed places can arise from “imitation”, That is, when someone tells a fact, you see a movie or news that impresses. A case could be that of a group of miners that gets locked underground or a story where a magician cannot get out when doing his trick.

The places where people most frequently suffer from claustrophobia are elevators, tunnelsthe subway, small or poorly ventilated rooms (including those locked), basements and diagnostic techniques such as computed tomography (CAT).

In more isolated cases can occur in the tanning bed, in telephone boothsin caves, in mines, in the sauna, on airplanes, in closed bathtubs, in the cinema or even in discos or theaters.

A problem that generates great anguish

Generally, The person who suffers from this phobia does not realize the situation on his own. when fear begins to appear. He also cannot think about anything other than the confinement, no matter how much you listen to music, try to talk to someone, read a magazine, or breathe deeply.

What goes through the head of a person with claustrophobia are the consequences of confinement itself, especially related to dying from suffocation or no one rescuing him in time. For example, when an elevator stops (mainly those with automatic doors), we cannot move much, we are trapped and if there are other people next to us, the situation will become even more complicated.

What are the symptoms of claustrophobia?

Among the most frequent We can cite these signs that you are suffering from an episode of claustrophobia: palpitations, excessive sweatingbreathing problems (feeling of suffocation or lack of air), panic attack and fainting.

Also Anticipatory anxiety about a negative outcome is commonfast heartbeat, dizziness, shaking, lightheadedness, nausea, feeling of terror or dread, problems concentrating in a conversation.

How can claustrophobia be treated?

This intense fear that appears when we are in a closed space can cause damage to our health, both physical and mental, since stress levels at those times increase greatly. Besides, A claustrophobic limits his activities and social life, not being able to go up an elevator or meet in a very small bar with friends, for example.

To treat claustrophobia You can take advantage of the advantages of cognitive-behavioral therapy, whose objective is to modify this behavior. It helps a lot in the process of overcoming the phobia and reducing anxiety and the symptoms suffered in a traumatic experience.

Also different breathing and relaxation techniques can be carried out, like yoga or meditation. It is good to remember that claustrophobia has a lot to do with the feeling of suffocating to death. If we can breathe consciously and more calmly, our heartbeat will return to normal and so will our breathing.

Professional Help

Whenever claustrophobia is disabling or affects your daily life, you should seek the help of a professional. He, as an expert, will use the appropriate techniques to help you overcome the problem. You can rely on your family or a friend if you don’t want to go to the appointment alone.

Therapy will make it easier for you to lead a normal life in a short time. and that you are able to control that anxiety which meant that, for example, you had to walk up with your shopping and couldn’t use the elevator. Furthermore, it is good for you to know that, as in almost all therapies, the affected person will have to collaborate with the therapist and place their trust in him.

Finally, You have to keep in mind that it is a problem that can be solved and from which you can take advantage, since the tools you acquire in therapy to control anxiety can be used against other stimuli that cause it and that do not affect your daily life as much.

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