Claustrophobia is the irrational fear of confined spaces.

It’s normal to fear being trapped when there’s a genuine threat, but people with claustrophobia become fearful in situations where there’s no obvious or realistic danger.

They’ll go out of their way to avoid confined spaces, such as lifts, tunnels, tube trains and public toilets. However, avoiding these places often reinforces the fear.

Some people with claustrophobia experience mild anxiety when in a confined space, while others have severe anxiety or a panic attack. The most common experience is a feeling or fear of losing control.

Many different situations or feelings can trigger claustrophobia. Even thinking about certain situations without exposure to them could be a trigger.