Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that is related to fear. People with this condition fear being in places where it may be hard to get out quickly or where they may experience a panic attack and be unable to get help. Many patients who suffer from this condition avoid places where they believe they may experience panic symptoms or panic attacks and often have a hard time feeling safe or comfortable in public places or anywhere that there is a crowd of people. For some people with agoraphobia, the fear is not about crowds, but about large, open spaces.
Patients who suffer from agoraphobia often fear places such as shopping malls, sporting events, and large gatherings. Airplanes, public transportation, and elevators also commonly elicit a sense of fear or panic. Some people with agoraphobia only feel safe in their own homes, essentially becoming trapped.
Studies indicate that some 1.8 million adults in the United States suffer from agoraphobia, which is roughly 0.8 percent of American adults. The average age of onset is 20, though it is possible for people of any age to develop the condition. The condition is twice as common among women as men.
What Are the Symptoms of Agoraphobia?
There are a number of symptoms that are common to agoraphobia. While agoraphobia is often commonly a shared diagnosis along with panic attacks or panic disorder, the following symptoms are those that are specific to agoraphobia, with or without the shared panic disorder diagnosis.
- A fear of being alone
- A fear of crowded places, such as shopping malls or sporting events
- A fear of losing control in a public place or setting
- A fear of being in places that may be hard to leave or escape such as elevators, buses, or trains
- The inability to leave the home for long periods of time
- A sense of helplessness
- An overdependence on other people
- A sense that your body is unreal
For patients with agoraphobia, the act or even the thought of leaving the home or entering into a crowded, open, or public space can create a sensation of anxiety or panic. Symptoms that are common to these situations can include the following:
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive sweating
- Rapid heart rate or palpitations
- Flushing
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Chest pains
- Trouble swallowing
- Disorientation
- A feeling of loss of control
What Causes Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia causes
The cause of agoraphobia is not completely known. For some patients, agoraphobia develops following panic attacks and is seen as a complication of panic disorder. In many of these individuals, panic attacks are associated with the places in which they occur, which leads patients to start avoiding these places, situations, and circumstances in an attempt to prevent panic attacks. Many people also avoid any place or situation where a panic attack would cause embarrassment or where it might be difficult to escape.
It is important to note, however, that agoraphobia can also occur for people who have never experienced a panic attack or panic disorder. While numerous studies have been conducted, there is no conclusive idea on what causes agoraphobia for these individuals. Studies do show, however, that people who have experienced sexual or physical abuse as children, people with a tendency to be anxious, and people with substance abuse problems are more likely to develop the condition. Females are also much more likely to develop the condition, which often manifests during late adolescence or during early adulthood.
How Is Agoraphobia Treated?
Seeking treatment for agoraphobia is very important and can be highly effective. Studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the best means of treating this anxiety disorder. With this therapy, patients learn to decrease negative and self-defeating thoughts and behaviors. Patients also learn to decrease thoughts that provoke a feeling of anxiety. Recent studies even show that people who receive this therapy over the Internet often find it to be very effective.
Another common and beneficial part of treatment for agoraphobia is self-exposure. This is a form of treatment that requires a patient to imagine themselves or to put themselves into a situation that causes symptoms to develop. During these exercises, the patient uses relaxation techniques to help decrease their anxiety and eliminate negative thoughts. With repeated practice, this can be highly effective, allowing many patients to slowly decrease and eliminate negative associations and reactions with the spaces that they once feared.
Summary
Agoraphobia is a unique panic disorder in that it can severely limit a patient’s ability to function in their daily lives. The good news for patients, however, is that treatment is remarkably effective. If you or someone you love may suffer from agoraphobia, seeking help through psychotherapy can be a very beneficial choice and can help greatly improve quality of life.
Could I Have Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia can be a crippling anxiety disorder, but it is also one that responds very well to treatment and has a high rate of recovery from symptoms. The following questions are not meant to provide a diagnosis, but to help you know whether you should talk with your doctor about the possibility that you may have agoraphobia.
Do you have a fear of being in places where it might be difficult or embarrassing for you to escape or where you might not be able to access help if you were to experience panic-like symptoms?
Do you typically avoid these situations or require the assistance of a companion in order to endure them?
If these two things apply to you and your doctor is unable to attribute them to another mental health condition or medical problem, then a diagnosis of agoraphobia is likely. Agoraphobia can be treated, and this is an important thing for patients to realize. If you are experiencing these symptoms, speak with your physician or mental health professional right away to learn what can be done to alleviate or eliminate them.
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