Claustrophobia, or the fear of small, enclosed places, can lead to heightened anxiety.
Claustrophobia can be both a literal or figurative fear.
For example, some people start to experience anxiety symptoms in an elevator, plane, or a room full of crowded people.
Others start to panic when their personal space is invaded, their time is squeezed, or they feel they have no safe place to call their own.
Such was the case with Lisa who was married and had a young daughter.
Lisa worked diligently to be the "perfect" wife and caretaker for her daughter.
She kept the house excessively clean, laundry done everyday, dinner made by the time her husband returned from work, and ran a schedule of activities for her daughter.
Lisa hardly ever socialized with other adults or took personal time away from her family.
Consequently, she felt suffocated at times, especially when she tried to escape for a few minutes in her own home.
One morning Lisa decided to work on the computer while her husband and daughter ate breakfast.
She was in the same room with them, just trying to check out.
Her husband asked Lisa for some assistance with their daughter which led to an escalated rampage.
Lisa instantly felt like she was being squeezed, suffocating for air that was dominated by people and their needs.
Lisa slammed her computer down and started screaming at her husband.
Lisa felt out of control, her anxiety racing up her chest like a bullet being shot out of a gun.
She felt like she was being pulled in a million directions and could not understand why she could not just check out when she wanted.
These outrages occurred almost daily, as Lisa could not find relief or an outlet for her anxiety.
She felt her time and activities were pinched into a little hole, which made her chest thump with panic.
Lisa had to realize she created her own claustrophobic bubble.
If she just stepped out for some air, which would take some time to implement, she may find some relief.