Commentary: Managing gas mask phobia Published Dec. 16, 2012 By Maj. Dennis Tansley 8th Medical Group KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Wolf Pack members may experience anxiety or claustrophobia symptoms when wearing gas masks, during exercises in preparation for real world contingencies. It's necessary that members are able to tolerate gas masks in order to be able to survive and operate. The information below is suggested ways of dealing with personnel having adverse reactions to wearing a gas mask. 1. What is gas mask phobia? It is the fear of being in a gas mask and can happen before putting the mask on (anticipatory fear,) after wearing it for a couple hours, or anywhere in between. 2. Some common signs and symptoms: Claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces,) anxiety, feeling panicky, sense of impending doom, rapid shallow breathing, increased heart rate or pounding heart, tight chest, dizziness, sweating and shakes. 3. Unit interventions: What can you do to help someone who has a gas mask phobia? · Let the member know it's not unusual to experience some sort of physical and or emotional reaction to wearing a gas mask. This helps to normalize their experience so they don't feel embarrassed. · Help the member get used to seeing and wearing the mask: - For those experiencing anticipatory fear, have them put their gas mask on a desk or work station near them, where they can see it, until they get used to it being there. - Have them wear the gas mask for a short time every day while at work, and build up to longer periods of time. The length of time the member remains at each time interval depends on their anxiety level; they should wait until their anxiety comes down to a tolerable level (not necessarily completely gone,) before proceeding to the next higher time frame. This is called stress inoculation. For example, 5 minutes or less, 10 minutes, increase by increments of 10 minutes or more · Help the member to breathe slowly and calmly when thinking about wearing and actually wearing a gas mask - coach them if you have to · Help the member understand that their negative thoughts about the gas mask directly affect their ability to survive and operate, and that their chances of survival increase as they develop more positive thoughts towards wearing a mask - For example, "I can wear this mask, it will keep me safe and alive" · Encourage the member to seek assistance if they're unable to tolerate keeping their gas mask on for the required time. If a member's anxiety is so severe that it's affecting satisfactory duty performance or interfering with the safety of others it is vital that they seek professional assistance 4. Treatment Options: If education and training within the member's unit isn't enough for a member to overcome gas mask phobia, then encourage them to seek treatment and assistance from a mental health provider. Mental health providers are trained to help members overcome gas mask phobia, typically using a detailed and controlled exposure treatment similar to the one described above - systematic desensitization. It's essential that gas mask phobia is managed effectively before and during exercises for Wolf Pack members' safety and peak performance during real world contingencies.