Stenophobia is a word used to describe the morbid fear of narrow spaces. The word steno is of Greek origin (meaning narrow), and the word phobia is also of Greek origin (meaning fear).
Stenophobia falls under the category of specific phobia, and this article will tell you all there is to know about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of fear of narrow spaces.
Causes of Stenophobia
It is a generally accepted fact that phobias usually arise from a combination of internal predisposition and external events.
Many specific phobias can easily be traced back to a particular triggering event, most often a traumatic experience at an early stage in life.
Social phobias, as well as agoraphobia, are causes that are more complex and are not fully known at this time.
It is strongly believed that genetics, heredity, brain chemistry, and life experiences play a major role in the development of phobias.
Symptoms of Stenophobia
- As with any other phobia that exists, the symptoms of Stenophobia vary by person, and it depends on the level of their fear. The symptoms of Stenophobia typically include:
- Extreme dread
- Anxiety and anything associated with panic
- Rapid breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Excessive sweating
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Shaking and inability to articulate words or sentences.
Treatment
Many people who are living with the fear of narrow places or things – Stenophobia, do not always feel the need to get treatment because they can avoid the object of their fear.
This possibility of avoidance gives people with Stenophobia a feeling of control over their problem. But sometimes, it may not be possible to avoid narrow places or things easily.
It is very important for someone with a phobia always to seek professional help when they can. This way, they do not get worse, they do not lose time, and they can better understand what is happening to them.
With a clear understanding of the nature of their phobia, they can then move on to overcoming their morbid fear of narrow things or places.
While most phobias can be cured, it is essential to know that there is no single treatment designed for treating all of them or treatment that is guaranteed to work.
It mainly depends on the person who suffers the phobia and the severity of the fear being experienced. In some cases, a combination of treatments might be the most effective option.
Please be advised that if you have a phobia, you should not take any form of treatment on your own! Always ensure that you consult with a doctor before you start any treatment.
The treatments mentioned below are strictly for informational purposes and are not specific to the treatment of Stenophobia. They are used for most cases of phobia.
Talking Treatments for Stenophobia
Talking treatments, also known as talk therapies, which often include counseling, maybe a very effective method for treating fear of narrow places or places (Stenophobia).
Talking therapies are a good option for many people because they are very laid-back forms of treatment and are physically non-intrusive.
It often involves talking to a proficient and highly trained professional about your feelings, thoughts, and behavior. There is a wide range of talking therapies, but all of them aim to:
- It can help you recognize unhelpful and unhealthy patterns in your actions or thoughts and find ways to change them (if you are willing to do so).
- Help you resolve any complicated feelings or find possible ways to live with them.
- It helps you to make sense of things and also understand yourself better. ultimately
- Provide a safe time and place to talk to someone who will make you feel comfortable and not judge you.
In most cases, talking therapies are the same as counseling therapy, psychological therapy, psychotherapy, and talking treatment.
There is often very little difference between what a person means when discussing the aforementioned.
(CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT treatments are one of the most used methods of treatment for phobias. It stands on the concept that what we think and perceive often influences our behavior.
Experiencing distress and anxiety are, in some cases, bending and distorting a person’s perception of reality.
Cognitive behavioral therapy’s ultimate goal is to determine whether these thoughts accurately depict the reality of things.
In a situation where they are not, this treatment method employs strategies to challenge and overcome these incorrect thoughts and behaviors.
For instance, when a person is experiencing Stenophobia, with the help of Cognitive behavioral therapy, the person can identify if the anxiety and fear experienced from narrow places or things is an accurate depiction of reality.
And if it is not, they must work on ways to change that.
Medication for Fear of Narrow Places
Medication should never be taken without first asking a doctor first. Generally speaking, medication is not recommended for treating or overcoming phobias.
Therapies such as CBT are a definitive way to deal with fears. However, certain types of medication may be prescribed as a short-term treatment or solutions to the side effects of various phobias, which include depression or anxiety.
There are generally three types of medication recommended for the treatment of anxiety.
- Beta-blockers
- Antidepressants
- Tranquillizers
Self-help With Stenophobia
One of the easiest or most reasonable ways to overcome challenges or to be well prepared if problems arise in life is to pay attention to oneself and one’s health.
Being able to know how to control and help yourself is important not only to be able to manage your fear of narrow places or things but also to other anxieties and phobias before they get more severe.
Note that getting help for the treatment of any phobia is essential and should only be done when you have access to a trusted mental health professional.
