Claustrophobia refers to the fear of being confined in enclosed spaces. Like other mental health conditions, claustrophobia's severity can vary from person to person.

In mild cases, people may grow anxious or uncomfortable in an elevator or small room. In more severe cases, people can have panic attacks in large crowds.

Claustrophobia is surprisingly common, affecting about 12.5 per cent of the general population. While it's always wise to seek claustrophobia counselling to deal with this issue, here are some tips to help you overcome the phobia.

Adopt Coping Strategies

Unfortunately, claustrophobia can interfere with your everyday life in many ways. You may encounter unavoidable situations that force you to face your fears. Many mental health experts recommend learning relaxation strategies to help you get through those moments.

Breathing exercises are common. When faced with a tight or enclosed space, breathe in deeply through your nose and exhale with your mouth. You can also try meditation, mindfulness exercises to avoid stress and more. These coping strategies can help you confront your discomfort and pair well with other therapy-based treatments.

Focus on Your Mental and Physical Health

The anxiety from claustrophobia worsens as your mental and physical health declines. Therapists often recommend prioritizing your well-being to mitigate issues. The idea is that your good health will make it easier for you to confront your phobias and be proactive about overcoming this issue.

Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and take time out of the day to focus on your mental health.

Join a Group

One of the most challenging aspects of having claustrophobia is feeling that you are alone. When you're having a panic attack in an elevator while everyone else is okay can feel alienating. It messes with your self-esteem and may push you to avoid those experiences in the future.

Joining a support group is a fantastic way to get help. When you go to claustrophobia counselling, your therapist might recommend attending weekly support groups. During those meetings, you'll have the opportunity to meet others just like you, learn coping exercises to confront your fears and share advice.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown writes about mental and physical health. She advises people on Paediatrician & online Psychiatrist consultation. You can find her thoughts at counsellor for OCD blog.