Don't worry, claustrophobia can be treated, clinical psychologist says

On her first night of detention at Fort Sto. Domingo, suspected pork barrel scam key player Janet Lim-Napoles complained of an anxiety attack brought on by claustrophobia.

Like other mental disorders, this irrational fear of tight, closed spaces can be treated, according to clinical psychologist Rowena Belen.

"Nagagamot ito. Katulad ng ibang mental disorder na natratrace naman natin ito kung saan ito nanggaling, at naigagawa natin ng treatment plan," Belen said in a report on News to Go on Wednesday.



Belen explained that claustrophobia is the excessive, unreasonable fear of tight, closed spaces. "Feeling natin hindi na tayo makakalabas doon. Yung fear, all in the mind. Irrational fear ito, nililikha ng ating isip na iniinfluence ang ating body para magkakita ng pagpapanic," she said.

Those who experience symptoms of claustrophobia can sometimes identify the root of their fear. Noemi Moncada, a school principal, said her fear began in childhood, when she was locked in her grandmother's room as punishment. "Hindi ako makahinga. Ayaw na ayaw ko ng isang maliit na kwarto na nakasara," Moncada shared, adding that her fear makes her feel as if she were trapped in a coffin.

"Parang kinocompare ko 'yung sa ataol, sa coffin. Kasi matindi rin ang takot ko sa coffin dahil ang tingin ko doon saradong-sarado," she said.

A US study published in June 2011 said a person is more likely to feel claustrophobic when there is a larger range of space that the person considers to be "near."

“It may be a defensive mechanism that kicks in because people feel the need to protect their bodies from harm,” cognitive psychologist Stella F. Lourenco, PhD, who led the study, is quoted in a report on the American Psychological Association website.

Some Hollywood personalities also experience claustrophobia, like Uma Thurman, Paris Hilton, and Justin Bieber, the report said.

According to the News to Go report, it is important for those who experience symptoms to get a proper diagnosis. — Carmela G. Lapeña/BM, GMA News