Headlines about the Titan submersible that went missing on its way to view the wreckage of the Titanic on Sunday are dominating the news.

For many people, simply hearing about or seeing the small space that carried five people into the depths of the ocean this week is enough to make them feel claustrophobic themselves.

I feel claustrophobic just looking at this picture [of people inside the sub], wrote Twitter user @iamRichCole . Another person, @MeltingSnowBro , said, This sub is so terrifying I feel like Im going to throw up thinking about it ... Im so claustrophobic I couldnt even get in that thing if there was a 100% chance of getting out alive.

I am soo claustrophobic that I physically feel ill when people are talking about this whole Titantic sub thing, wrote @_law4 .

Why do some people feel claustrophobic simply reading about the submersible? Heres why you or others may be experiencing this and what you can do to help mitigate the added anxiety, according to therapists and psychologists.

What causes a person to be claustrophobic?

Claustrophobia is an intense fear of confined spaces that interferes with ones ability to function, said Jessica Rabon , a licensed psychologist and host of the Psych Talk podcast. Symptoms of claustrophobia are similar to those of anxiety or a panic attack, where one may have difficulty breathing, start sweating or shaking, feel hot or cold, lightheaded, nauseous, or feel an overwhelming sense of dread and need to escape the situation, among many other symptoms.

The environments that trigger claustrophobia vary on an individual basis, but some common spaces include elevators, MRI machines, rooms with no windows, airplanes and, in this case, a submersible.

Why are some people experiencing claustrophobia just hearing about this news story?

According to experts, there are a few reasons the missing Titan sub may be triggering strong feelings and emotions for some folks.

Claustrophobia can also rear its ugly head when learning that others are in a small space, because a person can easily imagine themselves in a similar situation, said Cynthia Shaw , a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Authentically Living Psychological Services.

A person with claustrophobia, due to their heightened levels of anxiety, can easily imagine being trapped in the submarine, submerged miles below sea level. Knowing that 5 people are trapped in a confined space somewhere in the vast ocean can spark thoughts of danger and death: Will they be found? Do they have enough food? How long will they be lost? What happens if someone is sick? Will they die of starvation?

While claustrophobia is a major contributor to many peoples emotional reactions to the news, empathy and sincere concern for the submersibles passengers are also at play.