Agoraphobia - Its Causes, Symptoms, Cure

What is Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is not, as many people believe, just about open spaces. It is really the fear of being in any place or situation where the sufferer does not feel safe or where the sufferer feels trapped, and he/she is filled by an uncontrollable urge to escape to a place of safety which, in most cases, is his/her own house.

Find out more on Agoraphobia and Panic Attacks

Agoraphobia Signs & Symptoms

a) Fear of crowds

b) Fear of public transport

c) Restriction to home or neighborhood

d) Fear of losing control in a public place

Agoraphobia Causes

Researchers are still trying to better understand what causes someone to have agoraphobia. As with most mental illnesses, agoraphobia is probably caused by a complex mix of:

i) Genetics

ii) Changes in the brain’s chemistry or activity

iii) Life’s experiences

iv) Temperament or thinking that may start a cycle of fear

v) Having a nervous system that responds excessively, even to normal stimuli

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases you chance of getting a disease or a condition. Risk factors for agoraphobia include:

a) Nervous or anxious temperament

b) Family history of anxiety disorders or phobias

c) Age between 18-35

d) Female sex

e) Panic disorder or other psychiatric disorder

Agoraphobia Diagnosis

People who suffer from panic attacks should discuss the problem with a physician. The doctor can diagnose the underlying panic or anxiety disorder and make sure the symptoms are not related to some other underlying medical condition.

The doctor makes the diagnosis of Agoraphobia based primarily on the patient's description of his or her symptoms.

Agoraphobia Treatment

Treatment with Psychotherapy

There are many forms of treatment available for agoraphobia and the goal of each one is to help the phobic person to function effectively. The success of the treatment depends on the severity of the phobia.

Systematic desensitization or graded real-life exposure, called “exposure therapy,” is a behavioral technique used to treat phobias. This therapy has proved successful with a majority of patients.

Other types of therapies that are used to treat Agoraphobics include:

Cognitive Therapy,

Assertiveness Training,

Biofeedback,

Hypnosis,

Meditation,

Relaxation and

Couples Therapy.

Click here for information on Drug-free Treatment

Treatment with Medication

As part of this treatment the patient is prescribed medication both to prevent panic attacks and also to reduce their frequency and severity. As the patients realize that their panic attacks have become less frequent or severe; they get the confidence to venture to places and face situations that they had been avoiding previously.

Combination Treatment

Some patients have benefited from the combination of medicines and psychotherapy. In fact, this approach has been found to be more effective with a low relapse rate. It is also believed that this approach provides rapid relief in comparison to using just one of them.

Research has shown that the sooner you start the recovery process the more likely your chances of a successful recovery are.

Prevention of Agoraphobia

There is no sure way to prevent Agoraphobia. However, anxiety tends to increase the more you avoid situations that you fear. If you start to have mild fears about going places that are safe, try to practice going to those places before your fear becomes overwhelming. If this is too hard to do on your own, ask a family member or friend to go with you or seek professional help.

Cathy M. Ross