PSYC 110 Week 7 Psychological Disorders Create a Case Example
Student Name
Chamberlain University
PSYC-110: Psychology
Prof. Name
Date
Psychological Disorders: Create a Case
Example – Specific Phobia: Claustrophobia
John, a 25-year-old male, resides in a high-rise apartment building on the fifth floor. While many of his friends live in the same building, most occupy apartments on higher floors. Despite having lived in the building for two years, John has never visited their apartments. His friends often tease him for never using the elevator, to which John casually responds that he enjoys taking the stairs for exercise. However, over time, his avoidance of their apartments has started to cause tension, as his friends find it frustrating that they always have to visit his place instead.
Recently, John has begun to worry that his friendships may suffer if he does not explain the reason behind his behavior. During a casual lunch, he decides to open up about his situation. He shares that since childhood, he has had an intense fear of elevators. This fear traces back to a traumatic experience when he and his mother were trapped in a mall elevator that malfunctioned. His mother’s panic triggered his own, and both experienced symptoms such as heavy breathing, sweating, and overwhelming anxiety. Since that day, John has made a conscious effort to avoid elevators and other enclosed spaces.
His friends live more than ten floors above him, and while the physical effort of climbing the stairs is discouraging, his fear of enclosed spaces is the primary reason he avoids visiting. John tries to explain that, although elevator rides seem routine to them, for him they feel like prolonged episodes of distress. He experiences an accelerated heart rate, muscle tension, and intrusive thoughts of being trapped whenever he considers entering one. His friends now begin to understand that his behavior is not about convenience or disinterest, but a deeply rooted psychological condition.
Table 1
Case Overview – Specific Phobia (Claustrophobia)
PSYC 110 Week 7 Psychological Disorders Create a Case Example
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Individual | John, 25-year-old male |
| Living Situation | 5th floor of a high-rise apartment building |
| Social Context | Friends live on higher floors; tension due to his refusal to visit their apartments |
| Phobia Type | Specific Phobia – Claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces, especially elevators) |
| Origin of Phobia | Childhood traumatic event – elevator malfunction while with his mother |
| Symptoms | Rapid heartbeat, sweating, shortness of breath, intense anxiety, avoidance behavior |
| Impact on Social Life | Strained friendships due to inability to visit friends on higher floors |
| Coping Strategy | Avoidance of elevators, use of stairs |
| Emotional Impact | Feelings of embarrassment, frustration, and fear of losing social connections |
Psychological Explanation
Specific phobia, such as claustrophobia, is characterized by a persistent and irrational fear of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). In John’s case, the triggering factor was a childhood trauma involving an elevator malfunction. This experience likely led to classical conditioning, where the elevator became associated with fear and panic. Over time, his avoidance reinforced the phobia through negative reinforcement, as each instance of avoidance reduced immediate anxiety but maintained the fear in the long term.
Physiologically, when John encounters the thought or possibility of entering an elevator, his sympathetic nervous system activates, leading to symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and shortness of breath. Psychologically, he anticipates danger and feels trapped, intensifying his distress. The social consequences—strained friendships—add another layer of emotional burden, potentially contributing to feelings of isolation.
Potential Interventions
| Intervention | Description | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | Helps John challenge irrational thoughts and gradually face feared situations | Reduce anxiety and avoidance |
| Systematic Desensitization | Gradual exposure to elevators in controlled steps | Build tolerance and reduce fear |
| Relaxation Techniques | Breathing exercises and mindfulness | Lower physiological arousal |
| Psychoeducation | Teaching John and his friends about phobias | Increase understanding and support |
| Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) | Simulated elevator experiences in a safe setting | Provide gradual exposure without real-world risk |
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Publishing.
PSYC 110 Week 7 Psychological Disorders Create a Case Example
Craske, M. G., Treanor, M., Conway, C. C., Zbozinek, T., & Vervliet, B. (2014). Maximizing exposure therapy: An inhibitory learning approach. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 58, 10–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2014.04.006