Don’t Space Out With Claustrophobia
Chris still remembers the first time he was trapped inside an elevator. The distinct sensation he remembers was that the world was closing in around him and he had nowhere to run. He was rescued…and he came out of it breathless and scared but permanently berthed with a fear of elevators. This was his first unwelcome date with claustrophobia.
Claustrophobia – A Phobia or a Disease?
Claustrophobia is among the most ‘popular’ phobias of its kind. It is simply an extreme fear of being enclosed or trapped in small spaces. A person dealing with claustrophobia experiences anxiety and has difficulty breathing in enclosed spaces. He or she may even have a full-fledged panic attack. Many of us may be claustrophobic without knowing it. The good news is that claustrophobia is curable.
The main cause of claustrophobia is often a past traumatic experience involving a temporary or permanent confined environment. Herein, the mind makes a psychological connection that small spaces mean danger. It can lead to a panic attack, and this response becomes data in the brain, establishing an association between being trapped and out of control or experiencing anxiety.
Do you have any of the symptoms?
Breathlessness, excessive sweating, palpitation, nausea or a parched dry mouth, lightheadedness, nausea, fainting, hyper-ventilation and shaking are some symptoms. Other symptoms are a deep-seated fear of dying, losing one’s mind or losing control, being detached from reality or having a full-blown panic attack, and an inability to think or speak clearly. However, like most phobias it can be treated.
Some commonly followed treatments include -
Psycho-education
This involves educating the individual about the meaning and causes of claustrophobia, and clarifying negative emotions such as fear, anxiety and phobia. Deep-seated notions involved in relating fear to cramped spaces are addressed, and the patient is encouraged to talk about the problem. Once the patient realizes what triggered off claustrophobia, remedial measures can be taken.
Past life therapy
This is a new-age technique, wherein the counselor takes the patient into a past life experience to delve into the present condition of claustrophobia. Sometimes, a traumatic experience in a past life can be carried into the present. Once that is addressed, the patient discovers that the cramped phobia is gone forever.
Learn to breathe again
This technique makes the individual change the fast breathing pattern to a slow one. Hyperventilation is sometimes brought about by anxiety triggers. The ensuing event is an increase in anxiety levels beyond normal. This can be tackled by teaching patients a slow breathing technique to face the anxiety-provoking situations effectively.
Cognitive therapy
Our response to situations depends on the way we interpret them. A misjudgment or a wrong perspective can lead to distress. Applying cognitive techniques means to think things through and apply a semblance of logic and rationality to our responses. Cognitive therapy brings about behavioral changes which help us to deal with situations causing psychological suffering.
Stuff out the ignorance
Didn’t Ralph Waldo Emerson say, “Fear always springs from ignorance?” Applying knowledge and being noetic about imaginary fears helps the most in defeating phobias.
Categorised as: Claustrophobia, General Health Tips, How to Guide