Normally, a claustrophobic is an individual with an irrational fear (phobia) of small, cramped spaces, or being struggling to escape from a small space. Normally, claustrophobia will certainly manifest itself in a different number of related ways: Fear of being unable to exit a car, fear of suffocating in an enclosed space, fear of being trapped by a malfunctioning elevator, fear of tunnels, mineshafts, etc. In extreme cases, this phobia can manifest itself completely, and confrontations with cars, small rooms or elevators might be severely traumatic for the phobic individual.
The precise causes of claustrophobia ( and several severe phobias generally) remain mysterious, but are thought by researchers to be because of a combination of both physiological factors (possible brain malfunction, specifically in the amygdala area) and psychological conditioning factors (one or more traumatic childhood experiences of being trapped or confined to a small space, etc.), and the onset of MRI study of this and related phobias these days has shed much light on the subject, with results suggesting a host of possible new therapeutic methods. For the moment, however, treatment for claustrophobia is restricted primarily to classical cognitive therapy (working through the phobia and the reasoning behind it methodically with a counselor) and exposure to the phobia in vivo (direct controlled exposure to the source of the phobia with the goal of exposing the irrational nature of the fear to the patient). The past years in addtion have seen the advent of introceptive exposure, whereby some of the advantage of direct exposure is maintained while the risk of further traumatic experience due to direct exposure is reduced and also various treatments utilizing virtual reality simulation, which have been particularly effective in the treatment of claustrophobics specifically.
Although these methods have been somewhat effective clinically (with direct exposure being the most effective), none has been totally successful at treating claustrophobic (particularly in the most severe cases), and it remains to be seen whether more effective direct neuroscientific treatments can be developed. Continuing research in this field looks hopeful: It is currently fairly well understood that flight responses in the brain are mediated through the amygdala. It's hoped that further research in this area will yield good results.
It is hard to determine the main cause of this problem to most people. To be able to treat their condition, exposure treatment can definitely help. By exposing these men and women to what heightens their anxiety level could seriously help them change their perception on things which they feel are harmful.
Author Resource:-
The situation remains grim for claustrophobia sufferers, especially in the severe cases where treatment has been ineffective. Fears of suffocating in confined spaces, being trapped in overturned cars or trains, elevator replacement parts breaking down, etc., may be paralyzing for patients, with fears triggered by the mere sight of car or elevator products in the most severe cases.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.fyifiles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
