Paris Hilton claustrophobic?

Paris Hilton is claustrophobic claims a close friend. .

The friend explained to E! Online's Planet Gossip co-host Tina Dirmann - Paris' fear of enclosed spaces often throws her into a panic.

"It's not surprising to me that she was melting down because she was cooped up in a tiny cell 23 hours a day. When I heard that, I knew that would happen. I know her well enough to know she must have been flipping out. That's what happens to her. She can't breath, her heart races and she feels like she's going to pass out! I knew it would be bad for her."

Paris' friend continued to say he was even on a shopping trip out with Paris two years ago when she began melting down.

"We were in the store, and she just starting saying, 'I've got to get out of here. I'm going to nose dive!' Her hands were shaking and she said she felt dizzy, like she was going to black out or something."

Afterward, the friend said Paris told him she is very afraid of enclosed spaces, and it sometimes causes her to "freak out" when she feels too closed in.