Information on Claustrophobia

• What is it?
• DIY self diagnosis
• Want to know more
• Personal experiences

What is it?

Claustrophobia is usually defined as the irrational fear of confined spaces. It can be rational to fear being trapped when circumstances carry genuine threat. However, in claustrophobia, people experience fear even when there is no obvious or realistic danger in a particular situation. People who experience claustrophobia generally go out of their way to avoid a long list of confined spaces, including lifts, tunnels, tube trains, revolving doors, public toilets, MRI scanners, and even don't like to wear crash helmets. Unfortunately avoidance may reinforce the fear. Claustrophobia may arise from a one-off trauma at any age, have developed when the person was a child (for example growing up with one or more claustrophobic parents) or emerge as someone gets older. Around 10% of the population may experience claustrophobia during their lifetime.

DIY Self diagnosis

If you can answer YES to most of the questions it is likely that you are affected by that condition.

During the past 6 months:-

Do any of the following make you feel anxious:-

• Being in a confined space such as being in a tunnel, on the underground etc.
• Being in crowded places?
• Do you avoid being in any of the above situations?

Want to know more

This ANXIETY UK site has information on a range of resources to get more detailed information and help.

Recommended reading

Personal experiences

Do you suffer from Claustrophobia and want to share your experience with other people? Send us your experience and we will put selected ones here.