Claustrophobia Severity Calculator

Assessment Form

Choose how true each statement is for you recently. Scores range from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extreme).

1. Elevators or lifts make me anxious.

2. Crowded rooms make me feel trapped.

3. Small bathrooms or stalls increase my distress.

4. Tunnels, subways, or enclosed transit worry me.

5. I fear not being able to escape quickly.

6. I notice tightness in my chest in enclosed spaces.

7. I avoid enclosed places even when important.

8. I feel dizzy, shaky, or lightheaded in tight spaces.

9. I worry beforehand about being in enclosed areas.

10. My fear feels out of proportion to the situation.

Impact Modifiers

These raise the score when fear disrupts life.

Avoidance impact

How much you avoid enclosed places due to fear.

Panic symptoms

Breathlessness, racing heart, trembling, or panic.

Functional impairment

Impact on work, travel, health visits, or relationships.

Reset Form

This calculator is educational. If you feel at risk of harming yourself or others, seek urgent help through local emergency services.

Formula Used

A weighted index summarizes questionnaire intensity plus real‑life impact.

Step 1: Questionnaire Total

QuestionnaireTotal = Σ(item_i)

10 items, each 0–4 → range 0–40.

Step 2: Add Impact Modifiers

ModifierTotal = avoidance + panic + impairment

RawTotal = QuestionnaireTotal + 2×ModifierTotal

Modifiers 0–4 each → RawTotal range 0–64.

Step 3: Severity Index and Category

SeverityIndex = (RawTotal ÷ 64) × 100

Category thresholds:

0–19: Minimal
20–39: Mild
40–59: Moderate
60–79: Severe
80–100: Extreme

Thresholds are designed for practical self‑tracking and discussion, not clinical diagnosis.

How to Use This Calculator

Answer each statement based on your recent experiences.
Set the modifiers only if fear causes avoidance, panic, or impairment.
Click Calculate Severity to view your results above the form.
Download CSV or PDF to share with a clinician or for journaling.
Recheck weekly to monitor changes and treatment progress.

Tip: If you often escape quickly, try short, safe exposures with calming breathing—gradually increasing time can reduce sensitivity.

Example Data Table

Sample entries to illustrate how totals map to the index and category.

Sample	Questionnaire Total	Modifier Total	Raw Total	Severity Index	Category
A	6	0	6	9.4	Minimal
B	14	2	18	28.1	Mild
C	21	4	29	45.3	Moderate
D	28	6	40	62.5	Severe
E	35	10	55	85.9	Extreme

Example values are illustrative. Your context, safety, and supports matter when interpreting any score.

Fear escalation loop

Claustrophobia can grow through a feedback loop: a tight space triggers alarm, the body shifts into threat mode, and leaving quickly brings short‑term relief. That relief teaches avoidance, so sensitivity increases. Triggers often include limited exits, crowd density, low light, and restricted movement. Physical signs may include chest tightness, nausea, and a feeling of “running out of air.” Tracking triggers alongside scores helps you anticipate difficult settings and choose coping steps before entering calmly.

Questionnaire scoring

The calculator uses ten statements scored from 0 to 4, producing a Questionnaire Total from 0 to 40. Higher totals reflect stronger fear, physical sensations, and anticipatory worry. Because each item shares the same scale, your total is easy to compare week to week. Review item patterns: high ratings on escape fear and avoidance often predict disruptions. Repeated changes of about five points can signal meaningful movement over time.

Impact weighting

Three modifiers capture impact: avoidance, panic symptoms, and functional impairment. Each is rated 0 to 4, creating a Modifier Total from 0 to 12. The calculator doubles this modifier total and adds it to the questionnaire score, producing a Raw Total from 0 to 64. This weighting emphasizes disruption, so similar fear intensity can yield different overall scores. Avoiding elevators, packed transit, or medical scans typically raises the index.

Index bands

The Severity Index converts Raw Total into a 0 to 100 scale and assigns bands: minimal 0–19, mild 20–39, moderate 40–59, severe 60–79, and extreme 80–100. Treat the band as a communication shortcut, not a label. For trend tracking, use the same reference period each time (for example, the past two weeks). Lower scores plus fewer avoided situations usually indicate progress.

Action planning

Use results to build a graded exposure ladder. Start with a mildly enclosed space you can stay in safely for one minute, repeat until distress drops, then increase time or difficulty. Pair exposures with slower exhalations and a grounding cue, and record both the index and what you practiced. Choose off‑peak times and stand near an exit. If fear blocks work, travel, or health care, consider CBT with exposure.

FAQs

Is this calculator a diagnosis?

No. It is a self-screening tool to summarize symptoms and impact. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose and rule out medical causes or related conditions.

How often should I recheck my score?

Weekly works well for tracking trends. Recheck after major exposures, travel, or treatment changes, and use the same time window each time for consistency.

Why are modifiers weighted more heavily?

Avoidance and impairment often predict day-to-day burden. Doubling modifiers makes the index reflect functional disruption, not only fear intensity.

What if my score is high but I still function?

That can happen if you push through distress. Use the item pattern to identify triggers, then focus on skill practice and graded exposure to reduce the cost of coping.

Can therapy change these numbers?

Yes. Exposure-based CBT often reduces avoidance and panic reactions over time. Skills practice, sleep, and stress management can also shift scores.

What should I do if I panic in enclosed spaces?

Prioritize safety, slow your exhale, and ground to the present. If panic is frequent or leads to avoidance of work, travel, or health care, seek professional support.