Claustrophobia

Question: What are the symptoms of claustrophobia? Silly question I know, I know what claustrophobia is, but how can you tell when you suffer from it?

Answer: These symptoms are: Breathlessness, excessive sweating, nausea, dry mouth, heart palpitations, inability to speak or think clearly. Other symptoms are: A fear of dying, becoming mad or losing control, a sensation of detachment from reality or a full blown anxiety attack. See a professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Question: How can I have an MRI Scan with severe Claustrophobia ? I am to have an MRI scan relating to a lump on my upper right arm bicept. I have had very bad Claustrophobia for years and am desperatly worried about having this done. No open scanners are available in Scotland.

Answer: MRI departments are very aware and sympathetic to the problems of claustrophobia and there are several things that can help if you ask them before hand. 1. They have a 'panic' button which will get you out from the scanner very quickly. 2. You can ask for mirror glasses, these are the type bedridden people use to read with when lying horizontally, this enables you to see the staff while they are carrying out your scan. 3. You can take your favourite CDs with you that can be played while your in the scanner. 4. You can ask for tranquilisers to relax yourself before the scan. 5. In extreme cases you could have a general anaesthetic, they don't like doing this but if it's the only way they will.

Question: I have claustrophobia. If I am up on a mountain where the air is thin, am I likely to have a problem? I am going to a very tall mountain (very high altitude) where the air is thin. They may have an oxygen mask available but I am worried about my claustrophobia, which comes and goes without warning. When it comes, I really panic and get scared, and I am very demanding about getting out of the situation, which may be difficult when I am on a tour at a high mountain. Does anyone have experience with this or suggestions? I don't have a fear of heights generally, but who knows, I think it could happen this trip. The mountain is at least 4000 meter and higher.

Answer: I have claustrophobia too. just yesterday, I was stuck in a metro, and I pannicked. In July I was in Peru, in very high altitudes. And I was just fine :) Well, the air is thinner, so breathing is more difficult, so don't try to run, just walk your way, not too fast. but you'll be ok. here's my advice : try Bach Flowers before and during your trip, it'll help your fear to calm down. http://www.bachcentre.com/

Question: I think my full leg cast is giving me claustrophobia? I am nearly incapacitated in n enormous full leg cast. Can't sleep because of the swelling and pain and now I think I am getting claustrophobia from this awful contraption. What should I do? Part of the problem is that I have to use a wheelchair. Crutching for more than a few yards is nearly impossible. I have to be loaded in an SUV like a sheet of plywood.

Answer: Sorry to hear of your condition. Often it is a mental state of mind. Why not try having fun with the cast to keep your mind off of the feeling. Try decorating the cast and if you like how it looks it may make you feel less scared of it: Try some casttoos http://www.suppliescentral.net/casttoo.html give it a try.

Question: How do you get claustrophobia out of a horse? My horse hates getting into trailers, and dosen't like to be tied up very well. Please help.

Answer: Is your horse in a large corral? If so, follow this method: Pull your trailer into your corral. LEAVE IT OPEN. Make sure the escape hatch and tack room are closed however. This will allow your horse to explore the tack trailer. EVERY day without fail, Halter your horse and bring him closer and closer to the trailer. Put a hay net inside the bag and allow him to know it's there. If you feel anxious, put his hay INSIDE the trailer, where he would actually have to step into it to get it.

Question: How to I combat claustrophobia when flying? I have been a regular flyer pretty much all my life - but in the past year or so I've started to have panic attacks about being confined in an aircraft. I've managed to control them, but they were only on short flights. I've got a nine-hour flight coming up and I'm really worry about how I'm going to deal with it. Please help!

Answer: Number one, bring distractions. If you can absorb yourself in a book, read one. Try bringing some music, sit down turn on the tunes and close your eyes. Try to get a seat assignment that feels more open. Maybe looking out the window will help. Perhaps access to the aisle could give you that edge. If you can manage to get yourself tired enough to sleep on the plane you can pass the time without even thinking about it. On a side note, a long flight can be very dehydrating. Try to drink plenty of fluids, to combat jet-lag. Stay away from soda. I've been told the body loses as much as 4 oz of water per hour on an aircraft. Something to drink can also help to provide a calming effect.

Question: How do people with claustrophobia get on airplanes? If someone needs a medical procedure and a plane is the only way to get there or get there in time how do they get on a plane?

Answer: I suffer claustrophobia but I've had hundreds of flights. I've had almost 20 long haul flights. On a short flight of under three hours I usually have a small bottle of wine, but on a longer one I try to take my mind off everything. If you want to go somewhere badly enough you'll do it. One thing to remember, when your on that plane there are many of your fellow passengers who have similar feelings. You won't be alone.

Question: How can someone with claustrophobia cope with having 3 roommates in a studio apartment? yea it is all one big room, and it's not pleasant.

Answer: How the heck do you put 3 people in a studio apartment? That means one big room...no separate rooms? I'm not claustrophobic, but if I was I could never do it.

Question: Any suggestions for a non-prescription way to treat anxiety attacks and claustrophobia? I've already cut down on coffee, but noticed that my anxiety attacks are happening more and more often. I also get really claustrophobic and tense in weird situations, like waiting on a check-out line or when people stand too close. I'd prefer not to take a prescription pill for any of it, but may have to look into it in the future. Are there any suggestions to lessen the problem? Like, any herbal remedies, or breathing techniques, or dietary change? And is this common with others?

Answer: Smelling salts or lavendar (I carried a little bag round in my pocket and took it out to smell if I felt stressed) - makes you feel less dizzy. Also deep breathing and concentrate on your breathing - close your eyes and try to forget your surroundings until you feel more relaxed. Cutting down on caffeine is a good way to go, and also sugary foods.

Question: How do you deal with feelings of claustrophobia when in an arm cast? I have had a cast for just a few days, but can hardly stand it--and I'm to have it for five weeks! It is on my left wrist, immobilizing my thumb (I am right handed). It itches, is hot, and I feel REALLY restricted.

Answer: Whatever you do, do not remove the cast yourself. The doctor put it on there for a reason. The itching can be allivated, by taking a ruler and sticking it in the cast and scratching your arm. You can also take benadryl, if it doesnt make you too sleepy. The cast will be hot, and unfortunately there is really nothing which can be done for that. If you are claustrophobic with it on, just remember all the good it is and will do for you.

Question: Claustrophobia? My dog is scared of closed spaces; he wont stay in the dog house for very long or even go near a crate. How do i get over his claustrophobia, i know he can do it but im not sure how. He's always afraid of something and then after a while he gets over it. So im hoping its not a life-long thing for dogs.

Answer: maybe start putting his food in the crate so he has to go in and eat, and put some toys in there. leave the door open a while. make it seem like going in the crate is a good thing because there is good stuff in there.

Question: Which artists use claustrophobia as a theme to their work? Or have an awareness of spaces and the affect they have on a person? Enclosed or open spaces, I don't mind :) Thank you

Answer: Francis Bacon Im a big fan of George Tooker also, all of his stuff is about the oppressive nature of urban society

Question: How do I help my adopted cat deal with claustrophobia? This is a serious question, please answer with practical answers! I've adopted 2 cats, they were too frightened to go in their house because of a new big dog that attacked them at every opportunity. Baby cat is really settled here but Pixie is terrified of everything and anything, the biggest problem is that she cannot bear for the door to be shut. I'm going to get a cat flap installed but if I have it set for them both to go in and out, then Baby cat will follow Pixie and then Baby will not settle down. If I have the flap set so that Pixie can get in but not out, she will be frantic. I'm trying to get her used to been in here for little periods of time. Will this panic of the door being shut go away? Is there anything I can do to help her settle and not be scared of the door been shut?

Answer: Yes, there is something you can do. It's desensitisation. You need to put her in that uncomfortable situation for just one minute to begin with. Halfway through that time, you offer your cat it's favourite treat, then open the door again. Continue to do this, when the cat has improved, shut the door for a slightly longer period, still giving the treat halfway through that time. The cat will learn that shutting the door is a GOOD thing, rather than something to fear because it will associate it with getting a treat. (Make the treat something it wouldn't normally get) This should solve your problem. Do give it two to four weeks to work though. Patience is the order of the day here. Hope that helps.

Question: How do you conquer severe claustrophobia? I just found out that beginning in the new year, my office will be moving from the second floor to the tenth floor and I have an extreme fear of elevators. I have major anxiety attacks just thinking about getting in one. Does anyone know how I can overcome this irrational fear?

Answer: i agree with the first comment---to conquer a great fear you must must must go head on to it that means experiencing little bits of what ur afraid of until you get more and more comfortable if you can't do this by yourself then seek professional help--they know exactly what will help you and why you have this fear and even knowing why your afraid helps just as much with this disorder--you could also look for tips on google--good luck! if you found this helpful please select as "best answer" it'll give u and me points. thank you! :)

Question: Can anyone help me find some good sites for claustrophobia? I am doing a concept essay on claustrophobia can anyone help me.

Answer: Here are lot of them: qrsheikh@gmail.com | My Notebooks | Search History | My Account | Sign out Google Web Images Groups News more » Advanced Search Preferences Search: the web pages from Pakistan Web Results 1 - 10 of about 79,000 for psychiatry claustrophobia. (0.11 seconds) What Is Claustrophobia? Claustrophobia is an anxiety disorder in which someone has an intense and ... Psychology / Psychiatry · Public Health · Radiology / Nuclear Medicine ... www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.ph… - 37k - 15 Apr 2007 - Cached - Similar pages - Note this Claustrophobia - The Doctors Lounge(TM) Claustrophobia - a term used to describe a psychotic mental illness. ... The Psychiatry Discussion Board · Psychiatric Topics · Antidepressants Topics ... www.doctorslounge.com/psychiatry/disea… - 39k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this [PDF] Severe Claustrophobia in a Patient Requiring Hyperbaric Oxygen ... File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat in psychiatric. patients:. clinical. and biological. effects. Am. I. Psychiatry. 136:762-766,. 1979. Severe Claustrophobia. in a Patient Requiring ... psy.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/3… - Similar pages - Note this [PDF] Am] Psychiatry 145:8, August 1988 We began to treat her with right ... File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat psychiatric. history. However,. his mother. suffered. from claustrophobia. Mr. A claimed. that. he had been. in. the scanner. for 3 hours, ... ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/1… - Similar pages - Note this American Journal of Psychiatry -- Table of Contents (145 [8]) DA Fishbain, M Goldberg, E Labbe, D Zacher, R Steele-Rosomoff, and H Rosomoff: Long-term claustrophobia following magnetic resonance imaging Am J Psychiatry ... www.ajp.psychiatryonline.org/content/v… - Similar pages - Note this [ More results from www.ajp.psychiatryonline.org ] Claustrophobia There are no known ways to prevent claustrophobia. RESOURCES:. Anxiety Disorders Association of America. http://www.adaa.org. American Psychiatric ... healthgate.partners.org/browsing/brows… - 29k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this [PDF] 74521-9 54..55 File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat severe claustrophobia and depression should not be. exclusion criteria for SCT. Many severe psychiatric. problems can be managed during SCT with close ... www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1… - Similar pages - Note this [PDF] One 3 hour exposure session was as effective as 5 one hour ... File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat claustrophobia? Is 1 session of ET as effective as 5 sessions of ET or 5 sessions of ... organic illnesses or other psychiatric problems requir- ... ebmh.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/4/3/8… - Similar pages - Note this One 3 hour exposure session was as effective as 5 one hour ... Anxiety and claustrophobia scores did not differ among the 3 treatment groups ... symptom inventories and no other complicating psychiatric conditions. ... ebmh.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/… - Similar pages - Note this Claustrophobia and Adherence to CPAP Treatment -- Chasens et al ... This study evaluated the effect of claustrophobia, an abnormal dread or fear of ... Psychiatric symptoms in patients with asthma causality, comorbidity, ... wjn.sagepub.com/cgi/content/refs/27/3/… - Similar pages - Note this Result Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next Try Google Desktop: search your computer as easily as you search the Web. Search within results | Language Tools | Search Tips | Dissatisfied? Help us improve Google Home - Advertising Programs - About Google ©2007 Google

Question: How to overcome claustrophobia?

Answer: I was locked in a camp trunk as a kid by a playmate, so I was claustrophobic for years after that. While in the navy, I knew some training I was about to undergo would force me into a small, confined place for an extended period of time. I went to talk to the flight surgeon. He told me, "a human can only panic for so long." After hearing the simple logic of that statement, I proceeded with the training. When I was locked in the space, I felt absolutely no discomfort. Training had been so difficult and I was so tired that, in fact, I fell asleep. I hope my experience can bring you some comfort.