- The recent Titanic submarine disaster highlighted the negative impact of secondary traumatic stress.
- People across the world following the news reported experiencing “second hand” symptoms of claustrophobia.
On June 18, 2023, a tourist submersible named Titan, operated by OceanGate, went missing while in international waters in the North Atlantic Ocean. This morning, an international team led by the United States Coast Guard, United States Navy, and Canadian Coast Guard reported that the Titan had an explosion, killing all the five people aboard.
While prayers and thoughts for the victims and the families have poured in, many news outlets have claimed that the Titanic submarine disaster had triggered claustrophobia in the people following the news and reacting to the disaster.
Claustrophobia is an irrational fear of enclosed spaces, which often leads to symptoms such as panic, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and chills. Ana Navarro-Cárdenas, a political commentator on CNN, tweeted: “Just watching this story about the lost submersible under the sea, is giving me claustrophobia and palpitations.” A Reddit response to the news read: “Good lord, I couldn’t imagine willingly entering that thing. It’s like some of my worst nightmares combined into one hyperventilating package.”
Empathy’s Role In Amplifying Claustrophobia En Masse
Excessive empathy can amplify the personal fears and claustrophobia triggered by submarine disaster to an unbearable level, as individuals strive to immerse themselves in the emotions of those affected.
The mere thought of being confined in a space without any visible means of escape can trigger panic and act as a catalyst for claustrophobia or similar anxieties. William F. Haning III, an esteemed physician and professor emeritus of psychiatry, clarifies that the distress experienced by individuals witnessing such events stems from their empathetic nature rather than an inherent claustrophobic condition.
Consequently, the anxiety individuals feel when they read about the 2023 Titan submersible incident or view related images is more likely a result of their empathetic response rather than their own personal claustrophobia. Mental health experts stress that this intense emotional reaction arises from the distress and empathy individuals feel for the directly affected individuals.
Similar emotional responses have been observed in previous incidents where people were trapped, such as the case of the youth soccer team and their coach who became stranded in a flooded cave in Thailand in 2018.
The tragic final moments of the five individuals aboard the submarine have left many contemplating the harrowing ordeal they faced. In most cases, the speculations have the potential to trigger hydrophobia or death anxiety. Numerous social media platforms have also featured posts illustrating the catastrophic consequences that can occur when submarines or similar submersibles encounter explosions.
Also, the situation grew worse with the revelation that Suleman Dawood, the youngest of the victims, dreaded to get into the minivan-sized deep sea submersible as he was claustrophobic. These discussions and visuals serve as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with such incidents and further fuel the collective concern and empathy for those involved.
A Note On Man-made Disasters And Mental Health
James Cameron, the director of the iconic 1997 film “Titanic”, spoke to ABC News about the Titanic submarine disaster. He said: “I’m struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night.
And many people died as a result… And for a very similar tragedy, where warnings went unheeded to take place at the same exact site, with all the diving that’s going on all around the world. I think it’s just astonishing. It’s really quite surreal.”
The Titan expedition, coupled with Cameron’s interview, testify to the eternal fascination with the Titanic disaster and the famous ship’s wreckage—one that is still essentially viewed a sad iron tomb on the Atlantic seabed. This instance has also highlighted the link between man-made disasters and the mental health of survivors and witnesses.
Man-made disasters, such as the Titanic submarine disaster, have the potential to cause widespread trauma and psychological distress. Witnessing or experiencing such events can lead to a range of mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse.
The impact of man-made disasters on mental health is not limited to the immediate survivors. Communities and society as a whole can also be affected. Witnessing or hearing about such events through the media can lead to secondary traumatic stress, where individuals experience symptoms similar to those directly involved in the disaster. This can create a ripple effect, amplifying the psychological toll on a broader scale.
Azmeh Dawood, a relative of the Pakistani father-son duo who perished in the explosion, even said to The Daily Beast: “I feel very bad that the whole world has had to go through so much trauma, so much suspense. I feel like I’ve been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didn’t know what you’re counting down to.”
