 |
If you suffer from the fear of small spaces then there is claustrophobia treatment available. This is actually classified as a type of anxiety illness and about 5% of people around the world suffer from very severe claustrophobia. The main concern is that only a small percentage of those diagnosed with claustrophobia actually receive treatment.
There are two main symptoms associated with claustrophobia; the fear of suffocation and the fear of restriction. Many times someone who suffers from such a condition will fear subway trains, cars, small rooms, tunnels, crowded areas, caves, elevators, cellars and locked rooms. Those that have severe symptoms may even having issues being in a barbers chair or waiting online as they are technically confined to a single space even though the actual room is very large.
One of the most widely used treatments for claustrophobia is cognitive therapy and this method is actually used for the majority of all anxiety disorders. This is very effective particularly if the patient not only fears the situation but the result of being in that situation. The main step of cognitive therapy is to change the misconceptions associated with at fear. So instead of feeling anxious in small spaces you begin to feel calmer.
There is also in vivo exposure that is used as treatment and this completely exposes patients to their fears and to face this fear. This tends to be done in a progressive fashion so you start small and then work your way up. The success rate of using this is very high but the patient needs to be properly supported and eventually their negative response to small spaces goes away.
Another type of treatment is in vivo exposure which causes a patient to experience their fear. This must be done progressively and you have to start small and then build up. You need support with this type of treatment but it is very effective. You soon will not have a negative response to your fears.
The most successful treatments use behavioral therapy or exposure therapy but here are also drug treatments. These drugs tend to be those used to treat anxiety and include beta blockers and anti-depressants. Though many of these medications can have several side effects and cannot be combined with other medications.
There are also drugs that can be used for anxiety but you do need to be careful as they can have some serious side effects if not used properly. Many doctors will suggest behavioral therapy first or a combination of mediation and therapy.
Marcelo Quijanios is a research journalist. Currently he is investigating a new method to relieve him of his anxiety panic attacks. The testimonials about this treatment are very promising and say to have served many people in our country.
