The need for space: A story of urban claustrophobia

Urban claustrophobia is a relatively new concept that has developed along with the rising number of residential and commercial establishments, resulting in cramped spaces, crowded streets, and a cacophony of noises that all contribute to the feeling of being cooped up.

And like any other phobia, it can be a debilitating sickness that may adversely affect the one suffering from it.

This is the reason why DMCI Homes, the company behind many of the country’s leading residential and commercial projects, is offering city dwellers a place where they can enjoy the comfort of wide open spaces without having to go far from the city with its Sycamore Tower Dansalan Gardens in Mandaluyong City.

An unrealistic, irrational fear

"A phobia is an unrealistic, irrational fear of a particular object or situation," explains Dr. Vicente Rosales, Jr.

He says that there are various kinds of phobia–from zoophobia or fear of animals, including insects, to claustrophobia or fear of enclosed spaces.

"But the key is to be able to determine if it is an irrational fear of a particular object or situation," he points out.

Rosales explains that there are certain people who may not feel at ease in enclosed spaces, but this does not necessarily mean that what they are feeling is something abnormal.

"It may just be a personality trait," he points out. "For example, there are certain people who do not prefer too many walls, spaces that are not too cooped up."

Phobias may be a result of biological, psychological or social reasons or a combination of two or all three.

"If it’s biological, there must be something wrong with the person’s neurotransmitters. If it’s social, maybe something happened during his childhood that now affects how he or she reacts to a particular object or situation. And it may also be social wherein he or she is unable to communicate to other people," Rosales says.

Rosales says that the symptoms of claustrophobia are the same as that of any other phobias. These include excessive sweating, feeling of dread, nausea, vomiting and fainting–depending on the gravity of the phobia.

Rosales warns that while it is bad enough that one anticipates his or her feared object or situation, it is even worse when one is not psychologically prepared to meet it. He says this may result of really bad panic attack.

"All of us are subjected to various kinds of stresses and each of us have our own vulnerability. There are certain people who give up easily and there are those with strong coping mechanisms," Rosales says.

Addressing urban claustrophobia

At Sycamore Tower at Dansalan Gardens, homeowners need not worry about being cooped up in tiny rooms and not having enough space to relax and enjoy leisurely pursuits.

First of all, this latest development from DMCI Homes boasts of 69 percent of open space – the biggest in any condominium project in Metro Manila.

And this open space is transformed into a virtual city paradise with its wealth of flora–with various flowering plants and trees sprucing it up.

Second, Sycamore Tower at Dansalan Gardens contains comfortably sized rooms that are perfect for both singles and families who are looking for a place where they can truly relax.

And like any other DMCI Homes project, the residential condominium development has a wide-open air-conditioned single-loaded corridor where homeowners can enjoy privacy.

Good quality, location, and price

Sycamore Tower at Dansalan Gardens is just one of the many development projects of DMCI Homes, the property development business unit of the D.M. Consunji Group of Companies, a recognized leader in the construction industry.

DMCI Homes offers a perfect balance of quality, location and price. Its resort-residential developments are the outcome of the demand for in-city residences that are both home and relaxing sanctuaries in the concrete jungle.

DMCI Homes communities carry the seal of quality workmanship from mother company DM Consunji, Inc–foremost builder of many five star hotels and royal palaces both here and abroad.

These developments are also located in close proximity to the commercial districts. They are to be found within the 25-kilometer radius of Makati, Ortigas or the Global City.

DMCI Homes developments also guarantee worry-free maintenance as the company takes care of the place, with minimal association dues.

The Sycamore Tower at Dansalan Gardens model units are already up for viewing. For more information, call 888-3333 or visit www.dmcihomes.com.