Claustrophobia

 Claustrophobia is the fear of being in a small space or room and unable to escape or get     out. It can be triggered by many situations or stimuli, including elevators crowded to   capacity, windowless rooms, hotel rooms with closed doors  and sealed windows, small     cars  and even tight-necked clothing.
 People with claustrophobia will go to great lengths to avoid small spaces and   situations that trigger their panic and anxiety. Past or childhood experience is   often the trigger that causes a person to associate small spaces with a sense of   panic or imminent danger. The trauma experienced at that time will affect the   person's ability to cope with a similar situation rationally in future. This is known   as classic conditioning. The person's mind is believed to link the small space or   confined area with the feeling of being in danger. The body then reacts       accordingly, or in a way that seems logic.



     • Claustrophobia affects some people when they are in a small space.

     • It can lead to feelings of panic.

• • Causes may include conditioning and genetic factors.
• • A variety of tips and treatments may help people overcome their fear.
•   #  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.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. 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. If possible, travel with a supportive friend or relative. He can talk you down, help you work through a relaxation exercise, or simply keep you distracted during the trip. Your companion can also manage details such as checking luggage, which you may be too nervous to feel comfortable handling.
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 • CAUSES :-

   Claustrophobia is usually the result of an experience in a person’s life (usually during childhood) that lead them to       associate  small spaces with a feeling of anxiety or imminent danger. Examples of such cases include:

• • falling into a deep swimming pool while not being able to swim;
  • being in a crowded area and becoming separated from parents or group; and
  • crawling into a hole and getting stuck or getting lost.
  
  
  The experience causes  a kind of trauma in the patient and affects his or her reaction  in a similar situation. This type of condition is known as classic conditioning and can also be taken over from parents. Should a person with claustrophobia for instance have a child, the child could observe his or her parents’ behaviour and develop the same fears.
• # Examples of small spaces that could trigger anxiety are:
• elevators
• shop fitting rooms
• tunnels
• basements
• underground trains
• small rooms
• hotel rooms with windows that do not open
• revolving doors
• airplanes
• public toilets
• Locked rooms
• crowded areas
• automatic car-washes
• some medical devices
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• • SYMPTOMS  :-

W   When experiencing symptoms of claustrophobia, it is similar to having a panic attack. Symptoms of claustrophobia may      include the following:

• • sweating
  • accelerated heart rate
  • increased blood pressure
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • hyperventilation
  • hot flushes
  • shaking or trembling
  • butterflies in your tummy
  • chills
  • panic attacks
  • light-headache
  • nausea
  • fainting
  • headache
  • numbness
  • fear of physical harm or illness
  • choking sensation
  • tightness in the chest, sometimes chest pain
  • an urge to go to the toilet
  • confusion and/or disorientation
  
  
  
  
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• •  TREATMENT :-
• After diagnosis, a psychologist may prescribe one of the following methods of treatment to patients to enable them to live with claustrophobia
  • CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
  This method is used for various anxiety disorders. The purpose of CBT is to change the way patients think so that they no longer feel threatened in certain areas.
  • Drug therapy
  This type of therapy could help with the symptoms of anxiety disorders, but does not treat the problem itself.
  • Relaxation exercises
  Take deep breaths, meditate and do muscle-relaxing exercises. This is effective for handling negative thoughts and anxiety.
  • Alternative/Natural medicine
  There are natural products and homeopathic medicines that some patients say help  with anxiety and panic.
• • How  To  Cope  Up  With  Anxiety  &  stress m :-

• Breathe slowly and deeply while counting to three with each breath.
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• Focus on something safe, such as time passing on your watch.
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• Remind yourself repeatedly that your fear and anxiety will pass.
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• Challenge the cause of your attack by repeating that the fear is irrational.  
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• Visualise and focus on a place that brings you calm.

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