Beyond Closed Doors: How Does Claustrophobia Connect to Anxiety Disorders?

By: Azmah Alomari, Dia Agarwal

Introduction: 

Claustrophobia is the intense fear of enclosed or restricted spaces, often driven by the anxiety of what could happen inside them. Closely tied to disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder, it affects about 12.5% of the population worldwide and is especially common among women (Vadakkan & Siddiqui, 2023). Triggers can range from elevators to closets to any environment where movement feels limited, and studies suggest that a defect in the GPM6A gene may further heighten the risk (Vadakkan & Siddiqui, 2023). Because of its strong connection to anxiety and stress, claustrophobia plays an important role in the broader discussion of mental health. 

Psychological Connection to Anxiety Disorders

Claustrophobia is labeled as a specific phobia in the DSM-5. But is it really just that? While it is categorized separately, claustrophobia often overlaps with broader anxiety disorders like GAD, Panic Disorder, PTSD, and sometimes even Social Anxiety Disorder. People who deal with claustrophobia are not just afraid of small spaces; they fear being unable to escape, losing control, or suffocating, even when logically, none of those things is likely to happen. So where do these fears come from?

A lot of the time, these reactions are tied to learned behaviors or distorted thinking both of which are commonly seen across anxiety disorders. For example, someone with Panic Disorder might be scared that being in an enclosed space will trigger a panic attack, and as a result, they avoid those places altogether. But this kind of avoidance only reinforces the fear, making it harder to unlearn. Similarly, someone with Social Anxiety might avoid elevators or crowded public transportation not because of the space itself, but because of the fear of being judged or trapped with others. So is claustrophobia ever really just about tight spaces?

In reality, claustrophobia can’t always be separated from the broader context of anxiety. And while it is technically listed as its own disorder, the way it actually shows up in people’s lives is usually connected to deeper psychological issues, fears of vulnerability, of panic, of losing control. Which means claustrophobia might not be as isolated or specific as the DSM-5 implies.

Biological and Genetic Factors

While environmental and psychological factors are important, claustrophobia may also have biological causes. A study by Vadakkan & Siddiqui (2023) highlights the GPM6A gene, which is involved in neural plasticity and stress response. A mutation or dysfunction in this gene may affect how the brain responds to spatial constraints and stress, possibly making someone more likely to develop claustrophobia. Furthermore, neurological imaging has shown that people with phobias, including claustrophobia, often show hyperactivity in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing fear. If the amygdala is more active, emotional reactions can become more intense, even in situations where there is no real danger.

So is claustrophobia always just a learned fear? Or can it also be genetic? The connection between genes, brain activity, and external stress suggests that claustrophobia, like many anxiety disorders, may be better understood through a biopsychosocial model. Treatment, therefore, isn’t always straightforward. Some may benefit more from therapy, like CBT or exposure therapy. Others may need medication. Some may need both. It depends on the person, their symptoms, and what’s causing the fear in the first place.

Conclusion

Claustrophobia may seem like a simple fear of enclosed spaces, but in reality, it is far more complex. Its roots often extend beyond the physical environment, connecting deeply with broader anxiety disorders, distorted thinking patterns, and even biological vulnerabilities such as amygdala hyperactivity or genetic predispositions. While the DSM-5 classifies claustrophobia as a specific phobia, lived experiences show that it rarely exists in isolation. Instead, it often reflects overlapping fears of panic, judgment, or loss of control that also shape other anxiety-related conditions. Understanding claustrophobia through a biopsychosocial lens highlights the importance of comprehensive treatment, whether through therapy, medication, or a combination of both, that addresses not just the fear of small spaces but the underlying psychological and biological factors that fuel it. Ultimately, claustrophobia is less about walls and ceilings and more about how the mind and body perceive vulnerability and safety.

Works Cited:

Vadakkan, C., & Siddiqui, W. (2023). Claustrophobia. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved September 28, 2025, from  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542327/  

Vadakkan, C., & Siddiqui, W. (2022). Claustrophobia. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved September 28, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559056/

Zhou, S. (2023). A comparative analysis of arachnophobia and claustrophobia. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 8, 1190–1194. A comparative analysis of arachnophobia and claustrophobia | Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences

Vadakkan, C., & Siddiqui, W. (2023). Claustrophobia. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved September 28, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542327/

Gafour, L. (n.d.). Claustrophobia [Image gallery]. Behance. https://www.behance.net/gallery/141578915/Claustrophobia/modules/799883349