Claustrophobia—empowering the patient

Abstract

• Claustrophobia, a phobic anxiety disorder, is a well-known relative contraindication for MR, and anxiety or fear is triggered by confinement or the prospect of confinement in the MR environment. • Within the field of MR, claustrophobia is generally counteracted by reducing or deflecting attention from triggering stimuli in the MR environment by technical means, which increases relaxation and comfort and thus improves compliance. • Psychological interventions and self-empowerment of patients might become the next level of coping strategies.