Occurrence of tunnel phobia in Norway

Little interest has been devoted to the empirical study of tunnel phobia. In a recent epidemiological study of a sample of the normal Norwegian population severe fear related to tunnels was found in 2-3, and for tunnel under water in 14 out of 1000. None of the respondents fulfilled the entire DSM-III-R criteria ( APA, 1987 ) for a specific tunnel phobia. In relation to the building of two long tunnels in Trondelag County, we started an investigation of tunnel anxiety and phobia, and related problems. Questionnaires were distributed to the households of the North Sea islands Hitra and Froya which are planned connected to the mainland within five years, and some neighboring communes. Filled in questionnaires were returned by 1227 respondents. Phobia fulfilling the DSM-III-R criteria for a spcific phobia was 0.49% related to tunnels, and 0.73 % related to underwater tunnels. Some additional data were collected by a telephone interview of 200 persons from the same population.