Need Help Understanding My Claustrophobia?

Question

I am extremely claustrophobic. My biggest fear is elevators. I can't go on them by myself, with a child, or without a cell phone (in case it shuts down and I need to call the police or something). They say that fears and phobias stem from childhood. But I can't recall a time when I was put into a situation that would cause me to be claustrophobic. My question is how did I develop this phobia? It seems like it just developed over night.

Answer 1

it may simply be that you hear all around stories of people getting trapped in elevators. and it's dangerous and it's ok to take precautions.

Answer 2

Claustrophobia can develop from either a traumatic childhood experience (such as being trapped in a small space during a childhood game), or from another unpleasant experience later on in life involving confined spaces (such as being stuck in an elevator).

When an individual experiences such an event, it can often trigger a panic attack; this response then becomes programmed in the brain, establishing an association between being in a tight space and feeling anxious or out-of-control. As a result, the person often develops claustrophobia.

I'd look up some treatments...