Claustrophobia is the fear of being in closed or small space or room and having no escape. It can be triggered by many situations or
stimuli, including
elevators crowded to capacity, windowless rooms, and even tight-necked clothing. It is typically classified as an
anxiety disorder, which often results in
panic attacks. The onset of claustrophobia has been attributed to many factors, including a reduction in the size of the
amygdala,
classical conditioning, or a
genetic predisposition to fear small spaces.