Claustrophobia is a situational phobia triggered by an irrational and intense fear of tight or crowded spaces. It can be triggered by things like being locked in a windowless room, being stuck in a crowded elevator, or driving on a congested highway.

Claustrophobia is one of the most common phobias. If you experience claustrophobia, you may feel like you’re having a panic attack, although

claustrophobia isn’t a panic disorder. For some people, claustrophobia may disappear on its own. Others may need therapy to manage and cope with their symptoms.


Symptoms
Symptoms of claustrophobia appear following a trigger for the phobia, such as being in a closed room or a crowded space. What you consider a small space can vary depending on the severity of your phobia.

When experiencing symptoms of claustrophobia, you may feel like you’re having a panic attack. Symptoms of claustrophobia can include:

sweating
trembling
hot flashes
feeling intense fear or panic
becoming anxious
shortness of breath
hyperventilation
rapid heartbeat
chest tightness or pain
nausea
feeling faint or lightheaded
feeling confused or disorientated


These symptoms can be mild or severe. If you’re claustrophobic, you may also:
avoid triggering situations, such as riding in airplanes, subways, elevators, or in cars during heavy traffic
automatically and compulsively look for the exits in every space you enter
feel scared that the doors will shut while you're in a room
stand near or directly by the exits while in a crowded place
Many situations can trigger claustrophobia. Triggers may include:

being in a small room without windows
riding in an airplane or small car
being in a packed elevator
undergoing a MRI or CT scan
standing in a large, but crowded room, like at a party or concert
standing in a closet
Other places that can trigger claustrophobia include:

public restrooms
car washes
revolving doors
store dressing rooms
caves or crawl spaces
tunnels
Your claustrophobia symptoms may be triggered by other situations not mentioned above. You may also define a small or confined space differently from other people. This is because people have their own unique sense of personal or “near” space. A 2011 study found that people with larger “near” spaces surrounding their body are more likely to feel claustrophobic when that circle is breached. So if your personal space is six feet, and someone is standing four feet away from you, you may begin to panic.


Causes
Little is known about what causes claustrophobia. Environmental factors may play a big part. People typically develop claustrophobia during childhood or in their teenage years.

Claustrophobia could be related to dysfunction of the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that controls how we process fear. The phobia can also be caused by a traumatic event, such as:

being stuck in a tight or crowded space for an extended period of time
experiencing turbulence when flying
being punished by being locked in a small space, like a bathroom
being stuck on crowded public transportation
being left in a tight space, like a closet, by accident
You’re also more likely to develop claustrophobia if you grew up with a claustrophobic parent or family member. If a child sees their loved one becoming scared of a small, enclosed space, they may begin to associate fear and anxiety with similar situations.


Diagnosis
You should see a doctor if your symptoms have become persistent. Don’t wait until your claustrophobia becomes too overwhelming. An early diagnosis can help you better manage your symptoms.

Your doctor will review your symptoms and give you a physical exam. They’ll also take into account your history of excessive fear that:

isn’t associated with another disorder
may be caused by anticipating COMPLETE THE FULL STORY HERE OOH http://kleeqers.com/health/articles/health/everything-you-should-know-about-claustrophobia