Agoraphobia

We can describe agoraphobia as an anxiety disorder in which a person feels trapped and fears that he cannot escape a situation. It can be developed on its own or because of another mental disorder. The fear causes the person to avoid situations in which they may panic. A person who has agoraphobia may avoid situations like driving a car, shopping in a mall, or just being in a crowded area. This behaviour of avoiding places and people restricts a person’s life, and they become very isolated. As a result, their personal and professional life is affected.

Agoraphobia symptoms

Some common agoraphobia symptoms are:

• A person may be scared to leave home for longer durations.

• A person may be scared of being alone in social situations.

• A person may be scared to lose control in public places.

• A person may avoid places like an elevator or a car, which are hard to escape.

• A person may feel anxious.

Agoraphobia may further cause panic attacks in a person. Some physical symptoms that are caused by a panic attack in a person who is suffering from agoraphobia may include:

• Sweating

• Nausea

• Increased heartbeat

• Shaking heavily

• Chills

Causes of agoraphobia

The particular reason why a person has agoraphobia is not known. However, some factors are known to be increasing the risk of developing agoraphobia. Some of those factors are:

• Depression may be a cause of agoraphobia. A depressed person may try to avoid social situations, and as a result of it, he may start to suffer from agoraphobia.

• A person suffering from another anxiety disorder may risk developing agoraphobia.

• Someone in the family has agoraphobia.

• A person who has a history of trauma may develop agoraphobia later in his life.

It is said that more cases of agoraphobia are seen in women as compared to men. Generally, it begins at a young age, around 20, but the symptoms could be seen at any age.

Treatment of Agoraphobia

In cases where a person who has agoraphobia also develops a panic disorder, then the symptoms could be seen in the first year when the person may have repeated panic attacks. If it is left untreated, it could get worse. Some popular treatments for agoraphobia are discussed below.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy. In this therapy, a person meets with the therapist regularly. The person may talk about his fears and the issues that are causing them. It is often seen that psychotherapy and medications together provide great effectiveness against agoraphobia. It is a short-term treatment, and when the person starts to deal with his fears, then the treatment may be stopped.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

In cases of agoraphobia, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is very commonly used psychotherapy. It helps a person understand the feelings that he may have regarding agoraphobia. This therapy may also teach a person how to deal with stressful situations and how to develop healthy thoughts in such situations instead of panicking. This will help a person gain control over his life.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy can help one overcome fears. In exposure therapy, the person will be exposed to his fears in a controlled environment. This is done in many stages. First, he will be given exposure to little intensity, and as he starts to cope with the situations, high-intensity exposure is given.

Medications

Some medications may be useful in reducing the symptoms. Anti-depressants are often prescribed to make the person suffering from agoraphobia feel better. Anti-anxiety drugs are also seen to be helping reduce anxiety symptoms. A person may have panic attacks when stuck in a stressful situation or somewhere where he thinks he cannot escape. Then anxiety attacks are common and could be reduced with anti-anxiety pills.

However, a person may adopt many lifestyle changes that will help in dealing with the symptoms of agoraphobia. Meditation, yoga, regular exercising, etc., may be helpful in handling the fear.

Conclusion

Agoraphobia is a kind of anxiety disorder where a person is afraid in particular situations and is afraid that he may not escape them. In crowded places, in an elevator, or in a car, a person may feel he cannot escape it and start to panic. Agoraphobia can be caused due to many reasons, such as family history, another panic disorder, or a history of trauma. It is likely to get worse if left untreated. Certain therapies are very helpful in managing anxiety in a person. Medications are also given to increase the effectiveness of the ongoing treatment further.