How is claustrophobia treated?

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How is claustrophobia treated?

Exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are the two main treatments for claustrophobia.

Exposure therapy (also called desensitization therapy)

In this type of psychotherapy, you are gradually exposed to your feared situation. With gradual, repeated exposure, the goal is that you will feel comfortable in your specific feared situation.

Exposure therapy may involve:

  • Facing your feared phobia directly, in real-time.
  • Recalling and describing your feared experience.
  • Looking at pictures or using virtual reality to get close to the real feared experience yet be in a safe environment.

Exposure therapy can be paced in several ways. Therapy also includes relaxation and breathing exercises. Your psychologist will develop a unique plan for you, based on the severity of your symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

This type of psychotherapy (talk therapy) focuses on managing your phobia by changing the way you think, feel and behave.

During CBT, you’ll:

  • Discuss your symptoms and describe how you feel.
  • Explore your phobia more deeply to gain an understanding of how to respond.
  • Learn how to recognize, reevaluate and change your thinking.
  • Use problem-solving skills to learn how to cope.
  • Face your phobia instead of avoiding it.
  • Learn how to keep your mind and body calm.

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