If you get panicky in enclosed spaces or situations when you feel trapped, you’re not alone. Cleithrophobia is a well-understood and treatable problem. Learn more.
Updated: December 20th, 2023
Cleithrophobia: Definition
Cleithrophobia is a fear of being trapped. It is a “specific phobia” (as opposed to a social phobia). 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:
- racing heart
- elevated respiration rate or shortness of breath
- elevated blood pressure
- sweating
- dry mouth
- trembling or shaking, especially in extremities
- chest pain or muscle tension
- full panic attacks
Lots of modern life situations can bring this on. Some examples include:
- small restrooms in bars, restaurants (or NYC apartments)
- small cars
- basem*nts
- Halloween-type haunted house amusem*nts
- trunks of cars
- submarines
- walk-in freezers (as found in restaurants)
- escape rooms
- caves
- mines
Cleithrophobia vs Claustrophobia
It can be quite challenging to tell the difference between cleithrophobia and claustrophobia. The important distinction between the two is that cleithrophobia is a fear of a situation. Claustrophobia, in contrast, is a fear of small or enclosed spaces — it is a fear of a type of place.
To illustrate this distinction, someone with claustrophobia might be anxious stepping into a small tent, but someone with cleithrophobia would feel fine. The difference is due to the perceived ease of exit, and the perceived likelihood of being trapped.
An elevator is usually challenging for people with either cleithrophobia or claustrophobia because it’s a small and enclosed space and there is always the possibility that the doors won’t open when they should. This is not the case with the small tent described above since the door (flap) is easily opened or closed.
What Causes a Fear of Being Trapped?
Theory from evolutionary biology
The field of evolutionary psychology offers a generally accepted theory for why people tend to have phobias of some things and not others. Over the course of thousands or millions of years, animals (and people) who had a fear of potentially dangerous situations were more likely to survive long enough to reproduce. That’s why people tend to have phobias of snakes, insects, rodents, germs, being trapped or enclosed spaces. People tend not to have phobias of situations and things that are quite unlikely to pose a threat (e.g., leaves, meadows, clothing, books). This theory also explains why people tend not to have phobias of things that are threats in modern life, but were not over the course of evolution.
There are two ways this can be borne out — some threats in modern life are unlikely to end our lives before we are old enough to reproduce (e.g., cigarettes, a sedentary lifestyle, deep-fried foods). Another reason is that some threats were not present over millions of years of evolution, so we have not evolved to avoid these threats (e.g., cars, cigarettes, opioids).
Trauma
Trauma is another factor that can lead to a fear of being trapped. This happens because of a life-threatening or similar experience that involved being trapped. It can also happen because someone has posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and, as a result, is more reactive to stressors.
Treatment: Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Cleithrophobia is a treatable condition. It responds very well to exposure therapy, which is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy involves information about how phobias work, followed by exposures. An exposure is an exercise in which you intentionally spend time in the presence of a situation that scares you.
For someone with claustrophobia, this is relatively simple to do, although can be scary at times. In contrast, exposures for someone with cleithrophobia are more complicated because it is hard to intentionally put yourself in a situation where you are trapped (or might be trapped). For this reason, working with a CBT therapist can be helpful. A CBT therapist will work with you to make sure that your exposure exercises are manageable and helpful, and will have experience guiding people through a program of exposure exercises.
If fear of being trapped or a fear of enclosed spaces is a problem for you, please consider contacting us. CBT therapy for cleithrophobia and claustrophobia is short-term and effective. If you suffer from one of these conditions, consider having a one-time consultation to learn how CBT might be helpful for you.
Related posts from manhattanCBT.com:
As an expert in the field of psychology, particularly with a focus on specific phobias and anxiety disorders, I can provide valuable insights into the concept discussed in the article. My extensive knowledge and experience in this area make me well-equipped to shed light on the various aspects of cleithrophobia, its definition, causes, and treatment options.
Definition of Cleithrophobia: Cleithrophobia is a specific phobia characterized by an intense fear of being trapped. It extends beyond a mere aversion to enclosed spaces, manifesting as significant anxiety or fear when one is actually trapped, anticipates being trapped, or even thinks about being trapped. The array of symptoms associated with cleithrophobia includes a racing heart, elevated respiration rate, shortness of breath, elevated blood pressure, sweating, dry mouth, trembling or shaking (especially in extremities), chest pain or muscle tension, and full-blown panic attacks.
Triggers and Examples: The article elucidates various situations that can trigger cleithrophobia, such as small restrooms, cars, basem*nts, haunted house amusem*nts, car trunks, submarines, walk-in freezers, escape rooms, caves, and mines. It underscores that modern life situations can often evoke this fear, highlighting the prevalence and relevance of cleithrophobia in contemporary society.
Cleithrophobia vs. Claustrophobia: Drawing a crucial distinction between cleithrophobia and claustrophobia, the article emphasizes that cleithrophobia is a fear of a situation, while claustrophobia is a fear of small or enclosed spaces. The key factor lies in the perceived ease of exit and the likelihood of being trapped. This differentiation is crucial in understanding and addressing these phobias effectively.
Causes of Cleithrophobia: The article delves into two primary causes of the fear of being trapped. The first is rooted in evolutionary psychology, explaining that phobias, including cleithrophobia, may be ingrained due to the survival advantage conferred by a fear of potentially dangerous situations. The second cause is trauma, where a life-threatening experience involving being trapped or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can contribute to the development of cleithrophobia.
Treatment: Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT): Providing a ray of hope, the article suggests that cleithrophobia is a treatable condition. It highlights the efficacy of exposure therapy, a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Exposure therapy involves intentional and controlled exposure to the feared situation, helping individuals gradually overcome their fear. While acknowledging the challenges of conducting exposure exercises for cleithrophobia, the article emphasizes the importance of working with a CBT therapist for personalized and effective treatment.
In conclusion, the article not only defines cleithrophobia and differentiates it from claustrophobia but also explores its triggers, causes, and a promising treatment approach. This comprehensive overview is intended to provide valuable information and support to individuals grappling with the fear of being trapped. If you or someone you know is affected by cleithrophobia, seeking professional help, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can lead to effective and lasting relief.
