Claustrophobia is the fear of enclosed places.

Claustrophobia is fear of not having an easy escape route.

It is a type of anxiety which often leads to panic attack.

Causes
Traumatic childhood experience (such as being trapped in a small space during a childhood game)
Unpleasant experiences(such as being stuck in an elevator)

Symptoms
Fear of restriction
Fear of suffocation
Removes clothing during attacks
Sweating
Increased heartbeat
Nausea
Fainting
Light-headedness
Shaking
Hyperventilation
A fear of actual imminent physical harm


Claustrophobics dislikes small rooms,locked rooms,cars, tunnels, cellars, elevators,subway trains,aeroplanes,caves ,crowded area,sitting in a barber’s chair or waiting in line at a grocery store,undergoing mri or cat scan,simply out of a fear of confinement to a single space.

They are not afraid of these areas but,they fear what could happen to them should they become confined to an area.When confined to an area,they begin to feel suffocated,thinking that there may be a lack of air in the area to which they are confined.

Tips to identify claustrophobics
When inside a room - the individual will look for an exit (ex.from movie theatre)
When inside a car - the individual will avoid driving on the highway or major roads where there is heavy traffic
When inside a building - the individual will avoid taking elevators
When at a party - the individual will stand near a door

In extreme cases, the very sight of a closed door can lead to feelings of anxiety in the individual.

Claustrophobia can have crippling social and psychological effects since the patient will often avoid situations in which she thinks she will have an anxiety attack,leading to isolation and depression.

Homeopathic approach
Claustrophobia is not a illness and we can help an individual control the condition with the help of medicines and counselling.Homeopathy has very good medicines for claustrophobias.We have specific medicines for fear of travel in trains, aeroplanes, closed rooms etc.,

Homeopathic medicines
Lycopodium,Pulsatilla,Aconite,Argentinum nit,Calcarea carb,Ignitia,Lac defl etc.