They may also experience these symptoms before they even enter the situation they dread. In some cases, the condition can be so severe that people avoid doing daily activities, such as going to the bank or grocery store, and stay inside their homes most of the day.
About 40 percent of cases are considered severe. When the condition is more advanced, agoraphobia can be very disabling. This can interfere with their personal relationships and performance at work or school.
Treatment can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Depending on the severity of your condition, treatment may consist of therapy, medications, and lifestyle remedies.
Agoraphobia often coincides with panic attacks. Panic attacks are a series of symptoms that sometimes occur in people with anxiety and other mental health disorders. Panic attacks can include a wide range of severe physical symptoms, such as:. People with agoraphobia may experience panic attacks whenever they enter a stressful or uncomfortable situation, which further enhances their fear of being in an uncomfortable situation. However, there are several factors that are known to increase your risk of developing agoraphobia.
These include having:. Agoraphobia is also more common in women than in men. It usually begins in young adulthood, with 20 years being the average age of onset.
However, symptoms of the condition can emerge at any age. Agoraphobia is diagnosed based on symptoms and signs. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, including when they started and how often you experience them. A fear of further attacks, for example, may cause the person to avoid the kinds of situation in which the first attack took place. Though agoraphobia may follow panic disorder, the DSM-5 considers them separate diagnoses. People with agoraphobia may need help from a companion to visit public places.
They may feel unable to leave home on their own or at all. Doctors usually treat agoraphobia with a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy CBT , a type of psychotherapy. It is important to note that antidepressants sometimes have unwanted effects at the beginning, which may make symptoms of the disorder seem worse.
In a psychotherapy appointment, a person works with a therapist to address the causes and symptoms of their anxiety. In the process, the person can find new ways of facing their fears. CBT focuses on changing the way that a person thinks about and reacts to certain circumstances. The person may learn:. To help a person overcome their fear, a therapist may start by walking a short way from home with them and gradually increase the distance over time.
This can provide a safe way to confront unwanted feelings. Initial treatment may take place online or by telephone, making it unnecessary for the person to leave their home. Friends and loved ones can also help by learning about agoraphobia, showing understanding, and encouraging the person to take new steps as they feel ready.
Some helpful strategies for people with agoraphobia include:. Agoraphobia can involve a combination of fears, other feelings, and physical symptoms. These can all vary from mild to severe. Some people can manage agoraphobia symptoms by following a routine. For others, it can be severely debilitating. The treatment options suggested by your doctor or therapist will depend on your circumstances and preferences, but may include: a course of medications, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications cognitive behaviour therapy and exposure therapy counselling and talk therapy relaxation training support groups instruction in self-help methods.
Self-help methods to manage agoraphobia The key to conquering agoraphobia is learning to control anxiety symptoms and progressively going into the situations that you fear. Be guided by your doctor or therapist, but general self-help suggestions include: Breathe slowly — hyperventilation breathing too fast and too shallow will make the symptoms of a panic attack worse.
Consciously slow your breathing. Concentrate on expanding your abdomen, not your chest, with every inhalation. Use relaxation techniques — learning to relax may include methods such as meditation, deep muscle relaxation or regular exercise.
You may need to experiment to find the relaxation method or methods that work best for you. Find out about your condition — overcoming agoraphobia involves understanding how anxiety affects the mind and body. Change your lifestyle — it may help to limit or avoid caffeine, alcohol and certain medications.
Regular exercise burns off stress chemicals and is known to reduce anxiety levels. See your doctor for further information and advice. Gradually increase exposure — this involves facing the feared environment in a controlled way. This will help you to see that nothing bad is going to happen. With regular practise, the fear of the place or situation will ease. This technique is also known as systematic desensitisation.
Panic disorder and agoraphobia: Australian treatment guide for consumers and carers , , Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The process usually starts with imagining yourself in progressively more anxiety-provoking situations and using relaxation techniques to combat your feelings of anxiety. Once you have successfully managed your anxiety in your imagination, you can use your relaxation techniques in real-life situations.
This technique can be learned through a variety of self-help resources and applications, but it can be more helpful to learn desensitization through the guidance of a professional therapist.
If you experience extreme anxiety or symptoms of agoraphobia, don't wait too long to seek help from a mental health professional. While it can be tempting to think you can solve this all on your own, often people need additional support in the form of therapy or medication to successfully manage agoraphobia. If you or a loved one are struggling with agoraphobia or another anxiety disorder, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SAMHSA National Helpline at for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Washington D. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellMind. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
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