Treating claustrophobia and managing anxiety

If you experience claustrophobia whenever you occupy enclosed spaces, you’ll know the severe fear that can overwhelm your mind. You may have a fear of lifts (fear of elevators) and other enclosed spaces.

When entering a room, you instantly identify the exits. Where possible, you stay near them to help ensure a speedy get away. Sometimes, sitting or standing near the exits can help you breathe more easily.

This fear of being confined within areas that lack an accessible exit route can be minor or severe, either way it can impact on the quality of your life.

Causes of claustrophobia

It is surprisingly common and many sufferers report that their anxiety began to manifest after an event experienced as a child. Perhaps, they were trapped in a small room such as a cupboard, cellar, or lift.

Their inability to escape led to an emotional response to the event and if traumatising, the brain can learn to respond to similar events with the same emotional reactions. Occasionally, the irrational fear of being confined in small areas without an exit can be learned as an adult but it is far less common.

Symptoms of claustrophobia

When approaching enclosed areas the sufferer is often tense, and upon entering a room they immediately take note of the exit points. If left in a room with no available escape, they can begin profuse sweating as their heart rate quickens.

Prolonged exposure to these circumstances often results in trembling and nausea as a gradual feeling of terror overwhelms them. People who endure this fear sometimes avoid lifts or driving on very busy roads.

Hypnotherapy to help overcome claustrophobia

While it’s not easily resolved, treating claustrophobia with hypnosis has proven to be effective in millions of cases around the world. Hypnosis combined with visualisation desensitisation and relaxation strategies can help most people who deal with this fear to manage their anxiety and live natural lives.

I can work with you to control your claustrophobic feelings, anxiety and release past tensions that often stimulate and trigger your fears – Call me and we can explore your situation and see what is possible.

My office is located in Buckingham where I work with people who suffer from phobic responses in Buckinghamshire and the areas surrounding Buckingham, Brackley, Milton Keynes, Bicester, Towcester, Banbury, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire.