Pregnancy-related claustrophobia
Nessa Keane1, Amy Farrell1, Brian Hallahan2,3
1Department of Psychiatry, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.
BMJ Case Reports
|January 14, 2022
Summary
This case study describes a novel case of pregnancy-related claustrophobia in a primigravida. Effective management involved cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy, leading to symptom resolution.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Psychiatry
- Perinatal Mental Health
Background:
- Pregnancy can precipitate new-onset or exacerbation of mental health conditions.
- Claustrophobia, an anxiety disorder characterized by fear of enclosed spaces, is not commonly associated with pregnancy.
Observation:
- A 35-year-old primigravida at 26 weeks gestation presented with severe anxiety, intrusive thoughts of entrapment, and nightmares about labor.
- These symptoms were consistent with a new-onset, pregnancy-related claustrophobia.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms significantly improved with a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy, including sertraline and low-dose quetiapine.
- The claustrophobia resolved by the third trimester, with no postpartum anxiety symptoms observed.
- A subsequent pregnancy exhibited similar, though less severe, symptoms, suggesting a recurrent pattern.
Implications:
- This case highlights pregnancy-related claustrophobia as a distinct clinical entity requiring recognition.
- Timely diagnosis and integrated treatment (CBT and pharmacotherapy) can effectively manage symptoms, improving maternal and fetal outcomes.
- Early detection and management can reduce symptom severity in subsequent pregnancies.
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