Agoraphobia Symptoms and Treatment Options
Agoraphobia is sometimes mistakenly thought of as a fear of open spaces, or even a fear of the outdoors itself.
Technically, agoraphobia refers to a feeling of being trapped in a public gathering.
In fact, the word itself originates from ancient Greek and literally translates as "fear of the marketplace.
" More than anything else, it is the trapped feeling that defines agoraphobia.
It sometimes results in the sufferer being afraid to venture very far from their comfort zone-usually their home.
Common Agoraphobia Symptoms Anxiety in public places, such as grocery stores, the workplace or classroom.
Feeling trapped in situations, such as riding in a car, sitting in a movie theater, or attending a wedding, anniversary or other gathering where leaving would cause social awkwardness or embarrassment.
Feeling uncomfortable or vaguely afraid when part of a crowd.
Feeling increasingly anxious as you travel further and further away from your home.
What Causes Agoraphobia? The causes of agoraphobia remain poorly understood.
Many experts believe there is a genetic component to these types of anxiety conditions, although there may be contributing environmental factors as well.
To further complicate the matter, some physical illnesses and deficiencies have been known to cause agoraphobia symptoms as well.
Although they are sometimes confused, agoraphobia is not the same as social anxiety or "social phobia.
" Social anxiety doesn't normally produce the trapped sensation associated with agoraphobia,.
However, the two conditions do share several common symptoms, such as discomfort in crowds of people.
In the United States agoraphobia is estimated to affect over 3 million individuals, although the actual number may be considerably higher when one considers that agoraphobia is commonly misdiagnosed and often goes undiagnosed for many years.
The condition is also more common in females than males, at a ratio of about 2:1.
Agoraphobia Treatments and Strategies There is no "catch-all" cure for agoraphobia, but there are strategies and techniques that have proven successful in alleviating the symptoms and allowing sufferers to live a normal life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often recommended, and there are numerous other coaching and life strategy programs to reduce or eliminate symptoms.
The EasyCalm anxiety video series, for example, has been popular for a number of years with agoraphobia sufferers.
Other agoraphobia treatments include lifestyle changes, meditation, controlled breathing techniques, as well as yoga, tai chi and other relaxation/mindfulness exercises.
Medication is sometimes used to treat agoraphobia, though ofen with mixed results.
Anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines and SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) may be prescribed.
However, recent meta-studies indicate that on their own, these medications are often of limited effectiveness in treating agoraphobia, and at times can even make a suffers anxiety situation worse (Sánchez-Meca J, et al, Clinical Psychology Review, Feb, 2010 ).
Technically, agoraphobia refers to a feeling of being trapped in a public gathering.
In fact, the word itself originates from ancient Greek and literally translates as "fear of the marketplace.
" More than anything else, it is the trapped feeling that defines agoraphobia.
It sometimes results in the sufferer being afraid to venture very far from their comfort zone-usually their home.
Common Agoraphobia Symptoms Anxiety in public places, such as grocery stores, the workplace or classroom.
Feeling trapped in situations, such as riding in a car, sitting in a movie theater, or attending a wedding, anniversary or other gathering where leaving would cause social awkwardness or embarrassment.
Feeling uncomfortable or vaguely afraid when part of a crowd.
Feeling increasingly anxious as you travel further and further away from your home.
What Causes Agoraphobia? The causes of agoraphobia remain poorly understood.
Many experts believe there is a genetic component to these types of anxiety conditions, although there may be contributing environmental factors as well.
To further complicate the matter, some physical illnesses and deficiencies have been known to cause agoraphobia symptoms as well.
Although they are sometimes confused, agoraphobia is not the same as social anxiety or "social phobia.
" Social anxiety doesn't normally produce the trapped sensation associated with agoraphobia,.
However, the two conditions do share several common symptoms, such as discomfort in crowds of people.
In the United States agoraphobia is estimated to affect over 3 million individuals, although the actual number may be considerably higher when one considers that agoraphobia is commonly misdiagnosed and often goes undiagnosed for many years.
The condition is also more common in females than males, at a ratio of about 2:1.
Agoraphobia Treatments and Strategies There is no "catch-all" cure for agoraphobia, but there are strategies and techniques that have proven successful in alleviating the symptoms and allowing sufferers to live a normal life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often recommended, and there are numerous other coaching and life strategy programs to reduce or eliminate symptoms.
The EasyCalm anxiety video series, for example, has been popular for a number of years with agoraphobia sufferers.
Other agoraphobia treatments include lifestyle changes, meditation, controlled breathing techniques, as well as yoga, tai chi and other relaxation/mindfulness exercises.
Medication is sometimes used to treat agoraphobia, though ofen with mixed results.
Anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines and SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) may be prescribed.
However, recent meta-studies indicate that on their own, these medications are often of limited effectiveness in treating agoraphobia, and at times can even make a suffers anxiety situation worse (Sánchez-Meca J, et al, Clinical Psychology Review, Feb, 2010 ).
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