Claustrophobia is an abnormal fear of enclosed spaces. It is a kind of anxiety disorder where you have a panic attack when you find yourself confined to a small space.

According to Dr Anjali Shah, a psychotherapist, the most common trigger spots are lifts, buses, aeroplanes or even crowded areas.

The triggers

What can lead to develop fear of closed spaces? Well, it can be traced to a bad experience during childhood. The person probably was trapped in an elevator as a child, and  therefore has a panic attack every time he takes an elevator even now as an adult.

According to Dr Shah, depression and lack of sleep can also lead to claustrophobia. "Excessive worry accompanied by exhaustion, difficulty in concentrating and irritability are other causes," she says.

The indicators

Rapid breathing sweating are one of the first symptoms of a panic attack caused by claustrophobia. Other symptoms include accelerated heartbeat, nausea and dizziness.

Beating the fear

The best cure for claustrophobia is therapy to control the fear accompanied by medication to manage the symptoms.

Behaviour therapy helps to identify events that trigger the fear and learn to separate these fears from events. If claustrophobia is related to a past experience, regression hypnotherapy can help.

Doctors also prescribe anti-depressants and beta-blockers which slowdown the pounding of the heart. Vitamin B-complex supplements also help to reduce the panic

Dr Shah says the best cure is positive thinking. Simply by believing that he can overcome his fear, the patient will!

Source: iDiva.com

Pic: santiago cornejo