Claustrophobia
Claustrophobia is the irrational fear of confined spaces.
Some people with claustrophobia experience mild anxiety when in a confined space, while others have severe anxiety or a panic attack. The most common experience is a feeling or fear of losing control.
Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: W043
Diagnosis: Claustrophobia
US Patients:
World Patients: 5-10%
Sex Ratio:
Age Onset:
Brain Area: Smaller amygdala, fight-flight response
Symptoms: fear confined spaces: elevators, windowless rooms, hotel rooms, small cars, tight-necked clothing, MRI machine
Progression: may result in severe panic attacks
Causes: fear of suffocation-release of adrenaline for an autonomic response; fear of restriction
Medications: None listed.
Therapies: 30%- cognitive therapy, convincing that the situation was not dangerous; exposure, 75%; virtual reality
Youtube Video: 5 Steps to Stop Claustrophobia
Amazon or Library Book: Panic Free: The 10-Day Program
to End Panic, Anxiety and Claustrophobia
Click the book to link or order from Amazon.
Support Group: nami.org; 800-9500-6264;
National Alliance on Mental Illness
4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED
The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis
Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.
- Exploring paruresis ('shy bladder syndrome') and factors that may contribute to it: a cross-sectional UK survey studyby Hayley Anne Hutchings on November 17, 2024
CONCLUSION: Large organisations should consider measures to help manage anxiety and improve toilet experiences. These could include resources and signposting to manage anxiety disorders and single-occupancy toilets and toilets in quiet areas to limit anxiety associated with shy bladder syndrome.
- SKATZOCHOIROPHOBIA (FEAR OF HEDGEHOGS) IS A RARE FORM OF A SPECIFIC PHOBIA. A CASE REPORTby A T Bakare on November 15, 2024
CONCLUSION: This case report may help in creating awareness and helping clinicians be on the lookout for skatzochoirophobia, which may help in early detection and prompt treatment.
- Expectancies and SSRI treatment of social anxiety disorderby Kurt Wahlstedt on November 13, 2024
The efficacy of escitalopram in treating social anxiety disorder is significantly influenced by expectations shaped through communication, contributing to about half the improvement. Overt SSRI treatment with accurate information about its effectiveness doubled the clinical outcome compared to covert treatment with misinformation about the therapeutic effect. Clinical improvements are not solely due to serotonin reuptake inhibition, as indicated by similar serotonin transporter occupancy in both...
- Associations of generalized anxiety and social anxiety symptoms with sleep duration, amount of intense exercise, and excessive internet use among adolescentsby Kati Kajastus on November 12, 2024
CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the importance of considering lifestyle factors when developing interventions to mitigate GAD and SAD symptoms in adolescents. Interventions and policy recommendations aiming at improving adolescents' health behaviour and mental health should take into account the intertwining of these factors.