Agoraphobia Treatment

Most phobias are known to most of us. Mention claustrophobia, social phobia or Arachnophobia and you know what is meant. Mention agoraphobia, and most just shake their heads.

For this reason, many people who have agoraphobia often take years, and in some cases several years, before they find out what is wrong with them. Because the symptoms of panic and fear associated with agoraphobia are quite physical, people who suffer from agoraphobia visit a number of doctors in the hunt for a diagnosis.

Since the doctors are generally not trained to diagnose agoraphobia, not to mention anxiety, agoraphobia stay untreated and becomes deeply rooted before they learn enough about this disorder to get the right treatment for it.

Against this background, here is some basic information about Agoraphobia:

Agoraphobia is the fear and avoidance of places or situations that are not only difficult (or embarrassing) or that the aid may not be available if a panic attack occurs.

Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder. The term “agoraphobia” is derived from the Greek word agora (αγορά), which means “market” and phobia (φόβος), which means “fear”. Literally translated as “fear of the market”, the term “Agoraphobia” correctly stands for fear of open or public places.

In fact, most people with agoraphobia are not so much afraid of an open and public place but they fear a panic or anxiety attacks in such places, especially places where it would be difficult to receive help with panic attacks.

In Agoraphobia, the most common symptoms are:

a) Panic Attacks: Periods of great fear, usually last about ten minutes, but sometimes even longer.

b) Avoidance of the Problem: Avoiding places and situations that are difficult or embarrassing to escape from if they need to leave suddenly. Most commonly, this is because they fear having a panic attack or unexpected catastrophe and not being able to get help or get away.

c) Development of People Considered “Safe”: People who agoraphobics know very well and feel emotionally close to. “Safe” People are usually the parents, spouses, children and close friends and relatives.

d) Development of “Safe” Places: The place where the agoraphobic feels mentally comfortable. The safest place for someone with agoraphobia is his or her home.

e) Self Analysis: Obsessive monitoring of his or her own body for strange or unusual symptoms.

f) Fear of being left alone: This is related to the fear of having no one to help in the case of a panic attack or real emergency.

If you suspect you or someone you know may have agoraphobia, don’t delay by researching the disease constantly. Research has shown that sooner you begin the process of recovery, more are your chances of a successful recovery.