What Is Claustrophobia? Why Sohail Khan Feels It Wearing a Helmet; How to Overcome It

Actor-director

Sohail Khan had to issue an apology after a video of him riding a bike on the streets of Mumbai without a helmet went viral. On an Instagram post, he wrote that he feels “claustrophobic” after wearing a helmet. “I would like to request that all the bike riders please wear helmets. I avoid wearing them at times as I feel claustrophobic, but that’s no excuse to not wear one.” “I assure fellow riders that I will make a genuine effort to overcome my claustrophobia and wear a helmet, so please bear with me. My sincere apologies to the traffic authorities, and I assure them that I will follow all the rules henceforth,” Khan continued.

What is claustrophobia?

Claustrophobia is an intense, irrational fear of being in confined or enclosed spaces, which leads to feelings of panic, restriction, and an overwhelming need to escape, often triggered by elevators, small rooms, crowded places, or even MRI machines, causing physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, rapid heart rate, and difficulty breathing. Doctors say that with phobias, the level of your fear does not match the actual danger presented by the feared object or situation. Phobias become a health issue when the fear interferes with your ability to carry out daily activities. Phobias can limit your ability to work efficiently, put a strain on your relationships, and reduce your self-esteem.

What does claustrophobia feel like?

For those who have claustrophobia, you may feel anxious about being in an enclosed or tight-fitting space. You may also have trouble concentrating and functioning, and be overwhelmed with thoughts about being in a confined space. Your thoughts may also keep you up at night. According to experts, more than 12 per cent of the population has claustrophobia. The average person with a specific phobia, like claustrophobia, fears three objects or situations. About 75 per cent of people with a specific phobia fear more than one object or situation. What causes claustrophobia? Doctors say the real reason behind claustrophobia is not fully understood. Researchers believe causes might include: Many adults who are diagnosed with claustrophobia report an event that happened in their life, which felt like they were trapped or confined to a tight space as a child. You may have had a triggering event, like getting stuck in an elevator or experiencing severe turbulence on an airplane. You may develop claustrophobia if you feel the anxiety of one of your parents’ reactions to confined spaces. Technically, scientists believe neurochemicals overstimulate an area of your brain in the presence of fear. There is also the thought that a single genetic mutation can increase your risk of claustrophobia if you have that gene defect.

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Signs and symptoms of claustrophobia

Symptoms of claustrophobia are similar to those of anxiety and panic attacks. You may also experience:

• Sweating or shaking
• Tightness in your chest or rapid heartbeat
• Breathlessness
• Chills or flushing
• A feeling of choking
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded
• Dryness in your mouth
• Feeling confused or disoriented
• Numbness or tingling
• Ringing in your ears
• Crying, tantrums, freezing, or clinging
• Fear of losing control
• Fear of fainting
• Feelings of dread
• Feeling overwhelming anxiety
• Feeling an intense need to leave the situation
• Understanding that the fear is not rational, but you cannot overcome it.
• Fear of dying

Ways to overcome claustrophobia

Doctors say recognizing the triggers of your claustrophobia and understanding the root cause is the first step in managing the condition. The more aware you are of your anxiety and fear, the better you can address them effectively. Relaxation techniques are incredibly helpful in reducing the anxiety that accompanies claustrophobia. Practicing relaxation techniques regularly helps you build resilience to anxiety, making it easier to manage fear when it arises. Mindful meditation is one such way to distract your mind from fear and reduce anxiety, as it helps bring awareness to your thoughts and emotions without judgment. Gradual exposure therapy is also an effective way to overcome claustrophobia. It involves exposing yourself to the feared situation in small, manageable steps. Cognitive behavioural therapy works by identifying and challenging negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety.