Do You Suffer From Claustrophobia
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Do you have claustrophobia
Figuring out if you are claustrophobic is a very easy task. There are only two key symptoms one must look for.
- Fear of Restriction
- Fear of suffocation
Wikipedia's definition of Claustrophobia is "an irrational fear of enclosed spaces and the fear of not being able to escape."
Claustrophobia is classified as an anxiety disorder which can often result in a anxiety or panic attack. Most people who suffer with claustrophobia go to great lengths to stay away from the unsettling symptoms, therefore, avoiding the feared enclosed area or feared situation. Here are some of the most typical settings or predicaments that claustrophobics try to avoid.
- Rooms with no windows
- Elevators, especially packed elevators
- Getting locked in a room
- Wearing tight-necked clothing
- Caves
- Small rooms
- Cars, especially getting Stuck in a traffic
- Cellars
- Airplanes
- Classrooms
- Churches
- Sitting in a chair at the hair-dresser
- Rides at amusement parks that are dark, closed or tunneled
A study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, found that 2-5 % of the world population is affected by claustrophobia. The study also revealed that only a small percent of people get treatment for the disorder. Most claustrophics learn to live with their malady by not participating in certain activities or situations.
My twin sister and I have suffered with claustrophobia for as long as we can remember. I will never forget when Laura and I were about eight years old, she asked me to scare it out of her. She wanted me to lay on her and bury her head in my arms so she could get use to it. The problem with our method of getting rid of the claustrophobia is that she felt safe with me, therefore, our experiment did not take away this debilitating disorder.
There have been many terrifying times living with claustrophobia but Laura has suffered the most. Some family and friends wonder if hers is more severe because she was the second born.
Here are a few recollections from Laura and I:
- Laura and I attempted to go to a packed house party in college. Next thing I knew, she was running down the road and pulling off layers of clothing. It was mid winter.
- I had a panic attack in an airplane and felt like I couldn't breathe (I don't fly much anymore).
- An uncle who had too much to drink, hugged Laura too tight and she ran off. It took me a while to find her hiding place.
- Laura and I went on a ride at the State Fair a couple years ago. Two sweet, elderly women, told Laura and I, we would like this relaxing ride. It was called, "tunnel of love." We got in the boat thinking all was well until it entered a dark cave. It felt like the ride went on forever. I had to turn my cell phone light on because Laura was ready to jump off the boat.
If you suffer with claustrophobia, there are some therapeutic methods available that may help you. I think my greatest therapy was just knowing I was not alone in this.
© 2011 Linda Rogers
Do you have claustrophobia
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Thanks for reading Pooh. I hope it's ok that you made me laugh with your comment about tight-necked clothing. You have such a good sense of humor despite some of life's crazy rides. Claustrophobia has really stopped Laura and I from certain things, like airplanes. What's sad is we both use to love flying when we were young. My dad was a pilot for Northwest Airlines. Now if I have to fly, I better take medication or have a cocktail or I may panic and ground the plane.
Yes, it's fine that you laughed. If we didn't laugh what on earth would we do? I also run if anyone gets a lit cigarette anywhere near my face ... but that's another comedy hour. Just kidding ...
I've only flown once and that was when my baby girl and I flew home from Ft. Rucker, AL when her daddy was sent to Viet Nam. I was so busy taking care of her I didn't have much time to notice whether I was afraid or not on the jet but when we got on the smaller prop plane I was a TAD uncomfortable. You probably couldn't get me on a plane today come to think of it.
I think as we get older we want to be more in control and an airplane is one place I have zero control. It's kinda funny that I come from an airline family. Dad was a pilot, mom was a flight attendent, (that's how they met)my older sister is a flight attendent and my older brother is a pilot. Laura and I got into the psych field. HMMM? I see a joke here somewhere.
How about, "How many psych specialists does it take to talk each other onto an airplane?" But I can't think of a punchline. Maybe someone will.
I get claustrophobic attacks if I'm stuck somewhere I can't get out of, like an elevator stalled between floors or a subway train stalled between stations for a long period.
Some of the things you suggest for being claustrophobic sounds more like panic attacks. Your poor sister might have something more going on too. Thanks for the informative hub.
I once turned my car around and went home to change shirts because I felt claustrophbic. I can go in certain places and not others. I don't know if this makes me phobic or not. This is an interesting Hub.
Great idea Pooh-Someone needs to give us the punchline. I know it's just sitting out there waiting...
Hi Rob-Ya, I can relate to the elevator one. I got stuck in one years back. The subway and elevator are very common places that claustrophobics do not like. We don't have subway systems in Minnesota, so I can check that one off my list.
Hi Marellen. So sweet of you to worry but there is no need as Laura and I have both suffered from panic attacks for many years now and have seen therapist's and are on meds. We are actually in the mental health field too. Many people with claustrophobia have anxiety disorders as well. I really appreciate you reading my hub.
Hi Hyphenbird. I take it you are talking about getting stuck in traffic. This is one of my worst scenarios. Once while driving home from work in a snowstorm, I was hyperventilating and almost called 911. My logical mind took over and realized that calling 911 would not only be worse but how would they get to me and or get me out of the traffic. Like their gonna put me and my car in their squad with the sirens going and drive me out of the traffic.
I think the joke should start with, "how many therapist's does it take to...
Someone help me and Pooh finish this joke:)
that may not work ... you're liable to get the old "How many therapists does it take to change a light bulb?" "Just one, but it has to want to change."
Oops, your right. Ok then, back to your first one. Any bites hubbers??
Either or, can't be too rough on people. ha ha ha
Very informative hub. Lord only knows what anxiety can create. God Bless You Precious Heart.
Would you believe I am the odd person with claustrophobia and agoraphobia, I cannot stand the London Underground nor can I stand to be surrounded by too many people. I found out that agoraphobia isn't a fear of open spaces, it is a fear of being surrounded by people. Very embarrassing when in a crowd unexpectedly, shopping sometimes brings it on, I start to have an attack of the nuts and I burst into tears and have to go rushing out of the shop in fear. I am unwilling to let this get in the way of my life, so many people end up a prisoner in their own houses, not me. So, as for all fears and phobias, you just have to be strong and face up to your fear. Grab a hold of your courage, then face up to your fear, it won't seem half as bad as you first thought and once you have been able to face up to it you will be so proud of yourself, a big treat should be in order. We should never allow ourselves to be kept prisoner by our phobias. Live life to its fullest extent, or why are we here on this planet?
Great Hub Minne,
I think I have been at times..real small spaces freak me out..I could not go into a submarine one time just to take a peak..the thought was too much. I attempted but had to turn around. I think if I can see an escape route I am good. Too many people in a crowded room makes me very uncomfortable, I will be the first one on the balcony or outside area. Thanks for bringing this out in the open for all to read. Have a good Monday.
Sunnie
I am laughing so hard right now because I am a freak. Great hub. Vote up and sharing
I am somewhat that way, but having an anxiety disorder it seems like it would go hand in hand. I hate crowds and elevators. I also won't fly. Sometimes my seat belt makes me feel a little claustrophobic. Thanks for the great Hub. It was serious but funny at the same time...good job!
Small elevators are bad for me and even worse if there are many people trying to get in. I'll take the stairs, no big deal.
I also do not do, small tunnels/caves, tight-neck clothing ... if something is restraining me, I tend to lose patience exponentially by the minute.
On the other hand, I am fine with planes - small or big. Churches are fine too as long as they are empty. The hair dresser's chair is also nice and without problems.
Interesting piece of writing. Cheers!
I get the tight clothing problem, I have cut clothes off myself in sheer panic, felt like they were trying to strangle me - I also can't abide thick crowds I feel swallowed up, interesting hub :-)
God Bless you stars:) Thanks for reading about claustrophobia.
Hi Minnetonka Twin, i am not claustrophobic at all, thanks for this great information !
Steph, so sorry to hear how you struggle with both. Yes, facing our fears is so freeing. There are certain things I wont do because it's just too uncomfortable but thankfully it's nothing that will limit my life too much. There was a time in my life when I was in my twenties. My anxiety was at an all time high. I was close to being agoraphobic but just kept on trukin. Best thing I ever did. I am a extrovert and can't imagine being a prisoner of my own home. It must be so hard:(
Thanks to you too Sunnie. I think most of us have certain places or situations that are uncomfortable. I do hope this can make anyone out there suffering, know they are not alone. No way could I go in a submarine. You might as well say goodbye to me.
Sis/Healing Touch-You are not a freak. Look how many others suffer with this. Your not a freak, your just special. (LOL)
Fortunately I am not really claustrophobic but I can imagine how terrifying it can be for sufferers. Interesting information, thank you Minnetonka Twin.
Hi Catgypsy. You are right that usually claustrophobia and anxiety disorders go hand in hand. To be claustrophobic is an anxious thing which can bring on an attack. Thanks for sharing and I hope that my hub and people's comments will help others suffering in silence.
I too have a weird sort of agoraphobia/claustrophobia. I can't stand tight clothing - I want to cut it off in sheer panic, crowds do my head in badly, but the worst of all is open spaces behind or underneath me - lifts, aircraft, grilled walkways etc, but also I find it hard to have my back to the middle of a room - I need to face the room with my back to a wall, good hub :-)
Thanks for sharing what bothers you Mr. Happy. I so wish I didn't get so nervous in planes. I use to love planes and now the thought of getting on one makes me very nervous. I appreciate your comments.
Hi Bumpsysmum-It looks like most of us have something that bothers us in this claustrophobic realm. I hope the clothes you cut aren't too expensive. LOL
Yae Kashmir. You win the prize for being the first one who isn't claustrophobic in the comment section. Your lucky because it's a real bummer. Thanks for reading:)
Hi Acaetnna. Wow, two people now that aren't bothered with this annoying phobia. I am so glad for you. Maybe you could send your coping skills through the computer.
Nah, never shoulda put em on in the first place!!!
mine is heights.i get on top of a building i JUST have to peer down the side and then my crotch begins to tiongle and a wave of fear begins to move up my bodytill the entire frame is shaking .all the while i just cannot get myself to move away from the edge and it takes a really superhuman effort to move away.
i guess avoidance is the best remedy.
I had an aunt that was so claustrophobic that she couldn't sit in the middle of the seat in a car. She always had to sit next to a window. And forget about getting her into an elevator. She would wlak up or down any number of flights of stairs before she would get into an elevator.
What do you know neeleshkulkarni-This is one phobia I do not have. I guess If I got stuck on the top of a building I would freak out but I usually don't have a problem with most heights.
I think you have a good idea, just stay away from high places and all is well. :)
KK Gals-I bet your aunt was in great shape:)I guess some phobias have some kind of positive payback.
WOW! Great informative article. Gets to the point and simplifies it. I only have symptoms of [scroll to top, copy-paste] claustrophobia when I am in crowds. I I either walk quickly or leave the social setting. Fueled my early habit of smoking cigarettes, anxiety fed habit. Get out of there and smoke a cigarette was socially acceptable then, but running the heck out of there was not. Maybe it crowd phobia and not claustrophobia , , ,not a pro on these subjects but will check the dsm-iv later . . .THANK YOU for this article it was recommend by Healing Touch in the answer section
Tim
MTT,
I have claustraphobia i can barely do an open MRI.
but if my head is out of the machine i can go all the way to my chest- weird soetimes at night I get cp in my bed and have to pull off the covers-by the time i get cold its gone- its not fun- i get cp if my arms are tied down great hub bad memories hA
TH
I think I do and I know my husband does too - I almost passed out in the MRI scanner because it was so 'confining' but I talked myself off the ceiling...literally. The next time, they gave me Valium! I also am not a huge fan of elevators and places where I can't 'see' an immediate exit stage left!
As an aside, I'm wondering if my pup Gabby has it - at least the fear of confinement. Yikes! She is NOT doing her crate training very well that is for sure and anything including ARMS that confine her she freaks out.
I never think of it but- i guess the animals can have claustraphobia as well
TH
In my opinion fear of suffocation, especially experienced within tight, or confined spaces is a very big deal for many. For me, the only time I truely experienced this was down deep in underground caverns. I just wanted out after about an hour. Thanks for the insight!
i am good unless my arms are pinned.. if my arms are free i can make it ...
Th
Hi Tim-I'm so glad you were pointed in my direction with your question. It can get complicated figuring out some of these diagnosies but fear of crowds can be many things. It sounds like you have a DSM IV, so I will give you something to look up. You already know it fits with Claustrophobia and anxiety but look up a specific anxiety called, "social phobia." To simplify what it means, it is a fear of crowds like you said above. I am not making a diagnosis here but thought you may want to look this up. Thanks for taking time to read this hub and good luck.
Hi Tom-Claustrophobia, as you can see from all the comments here, you and I are not alone in this. Somehow I think knowing that helps me when I feel like a freak. By the way, there is no way someone is tieing my arms down. I can't imagine anyone feeling relaxed with this. I get catscans every six months and at first I thought It would be very hard for me but it doesn't bother me. I think it's because the machine is open on both ends. Thanks for stopping and it feels really good to talk about this with you and everyone else that has this. :)
That is so wierd Akirchner that you brought up your dog. I was just talking with sis about how our one year old pup hates to be confined. If I am trying to get her on her leash and she feels confined, she freaks. She tries to squiggle away from me and acts like she's having a panic attack of sorts. Now that I know she doesn't like feeling confined, I give her a break before continuing to put the leash on. Animals are so much like us humans that I guess this doesn't surprise me. I'm glad you brought it up.
Tom, Ya, man's best friend. Why not? I am so glad someone brought this issue up about our pets.
Hi Woodamarc. They'll be no underground caverns for me Ever, thank you. In my mind, no good can come from being so far under the earth. (Nervous LOL)
Winter causes me claustrophobia, just knowing I cant get out although I don't really want to. Crazy huh?
Not crazy at all. I feel the same way Pollyanna. I can't wait for spring to make it's real appearance here in Minnesota. I am so tired of the cold and snow.
I did have claustrophobia and was able to cure myself of it. I was in the 8th grade and really was claustrophobic and I could always feel those walls coming at me and my breath getting heavy.
One day during lunch I just said that Why am I like this and sought out the janitors closet. I went in closed the door and closed the light and just stood there in the middle - it took about 3 minutes till I started to feel the walls coming at me - I just stood there in the dark, then after about another 2 minutes I reached to touch the walls and - They hadn't moved at all - my mind was playing tricks on me - my mind was telling me to be afraid and that the walls would get me.
After this I realized it is and was an abnormal fear brought on by my mind - now almost nothing bothers me and if my mind gets a little ahead of itself - I just talk to it.
very informative hub.I dont think i am claustrophobic in the true sense of the term but i am "Achluophobic" which means fear of darkness. If i am confined to a room or small space with lights on,i dont have a problem then but if it is pitch dark and I am confined anywhere,I panic and usually end up screaming!
Sonia05 - from a non-medical person - I see your point - I too was scared of the dark because I could not see what was there or wasn't there - again it's your mind telling you that 'you are now losing control' of the situation - this is where all fears come from - fear of losing control. What you should realize is 'if you are in a room and suddenly the lights go out - you are still in that same room' 'if nobody is there darkness won't put them there(your mind might, but life won't). Screaming is the result of fear turning into panic from an unsubstanciated fear, emotions.
Wow, I am really impressed with how you faced your claustrophobia and kicked it's butt. What a smart kid. Thanks for reading, TheSenior.
Sonia, you wouldn't have liked that ride at the State Fair then. It was warm and dark in that cave. Never Again!
Hi TheSenior. You are right with your explanation but tell us that when we are freaking out. LOL
useful hub thank you for writing I might have to get a MRI and I wanted to see if I would be considered claustrophobic Luckily I don't believe that I am
i would say i have about 8 of those symptoms, so i am definitely claustrophic to a certain degree. i also can't STAND large crowds packed in around me...i totally freak out! concerts...not good unless i stand off to the side where there's breathing space. if i get caught in a crowd at a concert, i tend to start punching randomly! haha...thanks for the hub. voted up and useful. :)
chuckandus-I am glad I could be of help. Good luck with the MRI. :)
Hi Kitty-There was a day where I could handle crowded concerts but not anymore. You couldn't pay me to be in the front of a concert now. Like you, I would stand or sit on the end or sides of the seats. Thank you kindly for pushing buttons on my hub:)
This is really nice hub. don't know what to say about this phobia. But In my thought most of phobia are connected with mental stability.
Health Talk - I have to slightly disagree with you - from all the sources I have either read or listened to phobias are irrational fears. You do not have to be mentally unstable at all - what phobia is quite simply is the fear of losing control of any situation and I have seen this with perfectionists/control freaks who feel that if things are Just not in an exacting order then their world will crumble - again I used to sorta feel this way with of all things an alarm clock - I just had to have a 'certain' feeling of my fingers pulling out the alarm 'tab' or else I thought it wouldn't go off.
Then one nite I said this is ridiclous and told myself that 'it's out it will wake me up' the next morning when it went off - I told myself enough with feeling - just pull the thing out - guess what it went off.
Thanks for reading my hub Health Talk. Phobia's are actually quite common and are considered neurosis not psychosis which means I don't feel too nuts about it. It sure isn't fun though:)
Your right about neurosis/psychosis - actually they are quite different.
A neurosis is an unsubtainated fear while a psychosis is depression taken to it's end, ie, depression left untreated can lead to a psychosis which means that the person does not know what they are doing even tho they are doing it - as in the Andrea Yates case of killing her boys.
The Senior-I was meaning to come back and thank you for your great information here. Hopefully you've written some hubs on phobias and other mental health issues. I appreciate it:)
I don't have claustrophobia, but I do have acrophobia. Actually, I don't really think it's a phobia, because I can control my fear most of the time, and I fly a lot. I still refuse to go up or down steep stairs though. =P
I hope you can somehow get rid of your phobia, especially since you love flying a lot.
Hi cheerfulnuts-Unfortunately, I don't love flying anymore and that makes me sad. I'm too scared to enjoy it now. I fly if I have to but it is very uncomfortable for me. I miss that little kid that loved to fly.
Oh my... glad you kept the light on so Laura didn't jump off the boat. These are real issues and I hope people find help for them. I hate crowds or people all around me in a confined space.
Example: If I get on an Underground Train (London)rush hour and it gets so packed with more people...standng close together, I get off before the doors close.
Not sure if that is Claustrophobia though...
Take care.
Hi Lady_E-Ya, claustrophobia is no fun for sure. I can understand why you jump off the train when it gets really packed. I know Laura would do the same thing. I could probably manage it but with some discomfort.
An interesting and quite informative.thanks.
You are very welcome Sun-Girl.
Interesting
Thanks njmanura-
I can't stand wearing school clothes... they make me so claustrophobic and it's as if I can't breathe in them. I also have a lot of dreams where I'm in enclosed places and I can't get out - they make me so scared, worst nightmare to be stuck somewhere enclosed forever...
Are your school clothes heavy or thick. I wonder if you go to a private school where you have a uniform. Your dreams of enclosed places and not being able to get out, sounds horrible. Yikes, being enclosed forever would be the death of me. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you can figure something out about your school clothes to make you feel more comfortable.
I used to have claustrophobia and they only thing that cured it was exposure and response prevention. That's basically when you go into a space that would bother you (but you start slow) and then have someone help you think of everything but that space (i.e., prevent the panic response).
Very cool that you did that therapy. I'm glad you overcame it. It can really be debilitating :-0
Thanks--it definitely can.
Great hub. Sometimes it's hard to know what's what with all the mental health tags. Where anxiety disorders are concerned there are so many bits of one disorder mixed with another it can get confusing. Claustrophobia could be mistaken for some parts of social phobia for example. I have known people who thought they had social phobia and it turns out their so called social phobia only happened when shut in rooms with people..things like meetings etc. In fact I suffered this to a degree and it turns out that feeling claustrophobic had a lot to do with it all. Thanks for sharing.
Hi meloncauli and it's nice to see a new face here on one of my hubs. I'm in the mental health field and you said it right on, about the interconnections between anxiety disorders. The one underlying theme in claustrophobia and social phobia is the anxiety it creates. I have a few of them myself and have learned ways to make it easier to live with. Thanks for taking the time to come by and read my article.
I looked this up because I have it. Situations like airplanes, classrooms, church-I have to catch my breath because I get this trapped feeling. I have to have an exit door fairly close. I don't let this stop me from living life though. I do still fly-I just have to focus on something else (& do some breathing!) and I go to church 2x/wk and just sit towards the back where I am close to an exit-which is a bummer because that's where all the crying babies are located! This is a pain to deal with and oddly enough it didn't even show up until I was in my 30's! I've always wondered if a post traumatic stress situation can bring it on? because it came on right after a surgery I had(I was misdiagnosed for a few days and almost died). I'm not sure, but thank you for your comments.......how interesting.
Hypnotherapy is very effective in treating this irrational fear Linda. I hope you look into it sometime. Thank you for sharing this and of course I will have to feature this in my daily newspaper and twitter.
Hi desertgirl-Your truamatic event of almost dying could certainly be the culprit in your anxiety and claustrophobia issues. I have lived with claustrophobia my whole life but the intense anxiety and panic attacks came on in my late twenties. I'm glad you read my article and know that you are not alone. I have learned techniques that have helped me deal with it.
Hi Xavier-I keep meaning to ask you if you have any tapes you sell to help me with my list of issues. LOL
I trust you and would rather give the business to someone I know. It wouldn't make sense to make a trip to your business, but if you have tapes or something, would you let me know. I appreciate it and thanks again for sharing my stories on your daily chronicle. Your the best :-)
This was great to read. I've been curious as to what kinds of situations other people feel claustrophobic in -- and you've provided a good list of such places. The only times I've felt claustrophobic was twice at the beginning of two jet flights. I'm not afraid of flying and I've flown on planes dozens and dozens of times, but twice I thought I was going to have to jump up and run up and down the aisle. I was in a middle seat, hot from too big a coat. Now that I've read your hub, I plan to read up on the subject to see what causes it. Great hub. Voting up and awesome and interesting.
Hi Linda
Perhaps you might find something you like on the downloads page of our clinic website. http://manxhypnosis.com/links.php
It is my pleasure sharing your wonderful stories linda. Keep them coming!
Love
Xavier
Pamela-I too flew in airplanes my whole childhood because my dad was a pilot for an airline. I loved it as a kid but once I was in my twenties I was terrorized and would have panic attacks on them. Glad my article could be helpful to you.
Xavier-Thanks for the link to your downloads page, I appreciate it. Thanks again for all your support of my writing. Your one cool man!
Love
Linda
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Poohgranma Level 6 Commenter 13 months ago
Well, I can't stand tight necked clothing but I think that comes from being choked so many times. Other than that I can't believe I seem to be symptom free for a change. ;) I don't like crowds though.
I'm sure sorry for you too as I have known people who have this and it can be extremely debilitating! Very interesting write.