Agoraphobia is a serious mental illness that is a form of panic disorder in which an individual has intense fear of being in certain situations or places where they feel they may not be able to escape or may experience a panic attack.
Agoraphobics typically have a fear of any place that may be crowded or enclosed spaces such as an elevator or airplane.
In severe cases of agoraphobia, these fears become so overwhelming that the sufferer can not go out in public and become trapped in their home because that is where they feel safest.
This isolation is extremely detrimental to their quality of life and often leads to severe depression and alcohol or substance abuse.
Panic Disorders are the Leading Cause of Agoraphobia Medical experts believe that the majority of individuals who suffer from agoraphobia have this condition due to complications from a panic disorder; however, there are very rare instances where agoraphobia develops without the individual having had a prior condition of a panic disorder.
In these rare cases, the cause of agoraphobia is unknown.
Panic disorders can gradually progress to agoraphobia when an individual who has had previous panic attacks begins to avoid any situations or places that they feel could cause them to have another panic attack.
When an individual suffers from a severe panic disorder, there fear and anxiety over having a panic attack can actually cause them to have one.
The individual begins to isolate themselves more and more which leads them to have a strong dependence on other people to do such things for them as grocery shopping or other errands that would otherwise force them out of their comfort zone.
This affects their entire quality of life as they lose their ability to do normal everyday things including attending social events, and working.
Some agoraphobics will established a "safe zone" which they will venture out to on occasion, however, typically they are always accompanied by a friend or relative and will still experience a great deal of nervousness, fear, or anxiety while out.
Methods of Treatment for Agoraphobia Agoraphobia can be very difficult to treat especially in individuals who have lived with it for many years prior to seeking professional help.
The primary reason why this is so difficult to treat is because it involves the patient facing their fears.
This is typically done through a form of psychotherapy known as "CBT" or "cognitive behavioral therapy".
The first part of this therapy is to educate the individual about agoraphobia and panic attacks as well as teaching them how to cope or control the symptoms.
Another part of this therapy involves the patient facing their fear which is sometimes referred to as "exposure therapy".
Exposure therapy focuses on the patient confronting their fears by slowly re-introducing them to the places or situations they have been avoiding out of fear of having a panic attack or not being able to escape.
The therapist will often accompany the patient to these areas so that they will feel safe and secure until they begin to realize what they feared is not going to happen and gradually the patient will start to lose their anxiety.
Psychotherapy is most commonly used in combination with "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors" or "SSRIs", anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications.
Treatment is successful for many individuals in overcoming agoraphobia and learning how to prevent future panic attacks.