A member asked:

I'm claustrophobic and i need to get rid of it permanently because it is so embarrassing! who can help?

7 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Psych professional: Claustrophobia can be effectively treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy, including gradual in vitro followed by in vivo exposure therapy. Expect it to take time and involve lots of work with repeated practice/reinforcement. Anxiety medications can be used off-label to help reduce some of the problem especially as a safety net for emergencies or early on as you are starting with treatment.

Answered 8/23/2012

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CBT: Seek a cognitive-behavioral therapist who specializes in phobias. One method they use is systematic desensitization which slowly and incrementally brings the person closer and closer to the thing they are afraid of in slow, graduated steps that help make the anxiety more tolerable.

Answered 3/21/2015

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