What does cleithrophobia mean

Coping With what does cleithrophobia mean Fear of Enclosed Spaces. Claustrophobia is a specific phobia of confined, tight, enclosed, or crowded spaces. A person who is claustrophobic experiences intense fear and anxiety when triggered. This can lead to avoidance of situations that may trigger fear and have negative effects on quality of life, including avoiding some healthcare procedures.

Cleithrophobia is the fear of being trapped, locked in, or unable to leave. It is categorized as a specific phobia, a classification of anxiety disorders in which people experience irrational fear in response to certain objects and situations that pose little or no real danger. Cleithrophobia can often be the result of traumatic experiences such as being locked in a closet, the trunk of a car, or getting trapped in a tunnel or stuck in an elevator. As with most phobias, cleithrophobia can elicit a panic-like response. Individuals can experience physical symptoms that include the following:.

What does cleithrophobia mean

I am sure that there were many of us in the past couple of years that were overwhelmed and uncomfortable with the lockdowns put in place due to the pandemic. Cabin fever may be a perfect word to describe our feelings of unease and frustration because staring at the same number of walls day in and day out, for many, was something we were over after the first couple of weeks. Many people may have comfortable living spaces, but after a time being confined to this living area the space feels as though it becomes smaller. While we experienced this, other individuals may view the experience of being confined to a single space as a nightmare and truly unbearable. Additional situations that may cause great distress to these individuals include amusement park rides i. There are a handful of symptoms experienced by individuals with Cleithrophobia, and most can be categorized into one of three areas: psychological, physical, and behavioral. If you are familiar with other phobias, you may see a similarity here as many phobias typically have the same symptoms in terms of psychological and physical symptoms due to their relation to fear, stress, and anxiety. Because phobias are tied to fear, anxiety as well as panic attacks are very common symptoms of this phobia. Overwhelming stress and anxiety can not only be present during an experience with confinement, but also in an instance where the individual believes they will be confined. In addition to these particular types of symptoms, cognitive symptoms are also common such as lack of concentration. For an individual with this fear, it can be easy to imagine not being able to focus on anything except the fact of being trapped or possibly being trapped. Aside from psychological symptoms, physical symptoms induced by the stimuli of a confined space can also occur. These symptoms can include muscle tension, breathlessness, increased heart rate, sweating, and nausea. As you can imagine, in a situation where we are incredibly stressed or terrified our natural flight or fight instincts kick in to help us protect ourselves from danger such as increased heart rate, so we are prepared to fight or flight. Lastly, behavioral symptoms are also common with this phobia and typically look like avoidant behaviors.

You will likely be unable to think of anything other than the need to escape.

Cleithrophobia is a well-understood and treatable problem. Learn more. Cleithrophobia is a fear of being trapped. Cleithrophobia can affect adults or children. The disorder involves significant symptoms of fear or anxiety when one is actually trapped, fears being trapped, or thinks about being trapped. These symptoms can include:. It can be quite challenging to tell the difference between cleithrophobia and claustrophobia.

Fear is a common experience, however, having a phobia can be an irrational response to the fear that can often come with feelings of anxiety, panic, and dread. One of the unknown phobias, that is largely ignored, is cleithrophobia , or the fear of being trapped. This fear of being trapped can be experienced by a small number of people but it can still greatly affect their daily lives. Someone with cleithrophobia struggle with extreme anxiety and feelings of dread when they fear being stuck or locked in a room, balcony, or even underneath the snow. The experiences of someone with the fear of being trapped can leave them feeling helpless and embarrassed.

What does cleithrophobia mean

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Cleithrophobia is a specific phobia involving the fear of being trapped. The root word for this phobia is from the Greek cleithro , which means to shut or close. There are a number of events that might trigger cleithrophobia, including being locked in a bathroom or other small room. The condition can affect both children and adults and can lead to a range of disruptive and distressing symptoms. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of cleithrophobia. It also explores some of the treatments that can help and what you can do to cope with the condition. The symptoms of cleithrophobia are similar to those of other specific phobias. Common symptoms of cleithrophobia include:.

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There are a number of events that might trigger cleithrophobia, including being locked in a bathroom or other small room. A specific phobia is an intense and irrational fear of a specific object or situation that is out of proportion to the actual danger posed. Additional situations that may cause great distress to these individuals include amusement park rides i. Montel S. This can lead to avoidance of situations that may trigger fear and have negative effects on quality of life, including avoiding some healthcare procedures. Cleithrophobia vs. It can also happen because someone has posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD and, as a result, is more reactive to stressors. What are the causes of Cleithrophobia? Phobias typically have three main causes: biological factors, environmental factors or personal experiences, and psychological factors. Mil Med. Vadakkan C, Siddiqui W. Practical Psychology began as a collection of study material for psychology students in , created by a student in the field.

Fear is a pervasive feeling, but having a phobia could be an unintentional response to fear, often accompanied by panic, anxiety and dread. One phobia that is not well-known and is largely overlooked is cleithrophobia , which refers to anxiety about being in a trap. A tiny amount of people could feel the anxiety of feeling trapped, yet it is still a significant factor in the way they live their life.

Likewise, claustrophobia often mirrors cleithrophobia in that many people with claustrophobia may feel trapped or locked in, even if they are actually free to leave. Thoughts can become obsessive as they worry about being trapped and work to avoid situations where it could happen. In general, a tight space such as underground, or a closed area of confinement can instill the fear of the unknown. What Is Astrophobia? Check out our own Amoha Bajaj, Ph. Helpful Resources. Practical Psychology began as a collection of study material for psychology students in , created by a student in the field. There are few things more unpleasant than a panic attack. The disorder involves significant symptoms of fear or anxiety when one is actually trapped, fears being trapped, or thinks about being trapped. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.