What is agoraphobia?
This is an anxiety disorder where you will feel the need to avoid places and situations that that may make them feel trapped and helpless, embarrassed, panicked and scared. You might get panic attacks when you get yourself in a stressful situation. In case you are headed to a situation you dread; you might also feel this attack. Though the general assumption is that this is a fear of open spaces, it is more complicated than that.
Causes of agoraphobia
The exact cause of agoraphobia is not really known. Nonetheless, some factors are attributed to causing agoraphobia. They include;
If you suffer from depression, you are likely to develop agoraphobia, if you also suffer from other phobias like the fear of open spaces and enclosed spaces.
Other types of anxiety disorders like the obsessive-compulsive disorder and the generalized anxiety disorder could also lead to you developing agoraphobia.
If you also suffer from a history of either bodily abuse or sexual abuse, you could also develop this disorder due to trauma experienced. Or if you have had a problem with substance abuse, or family history of agoraphobia. This disorder affects women more than it does men, usually at a younger age.
Symptoms of agoraphobia
If you elicit the following symptoms, you could be suffering from agoraphobia. They include;
The sense of helplessness and fear of being alone in any situation. Being over-dependency on others.
Having the fear of losing control and embarrassing yourself in a public place. Having panic attacks and lightheadedness, trouble in breathing and excessive sweating.
If you are suffering from agoraphobia, you are likely to be;
Afraid of being in open spaces alone for a long time, in addition to this, you may also be afraid of being in places where escape would be hard for example, in elevators.
If you suffer from panic attacks associated with agoraphobia, you may also have the following symptoms; chest pains and increased heart rates, trembling and hot flushes accompanied by sweating and you may also tremble and experience tingling sensations.
Risk factors of agoraphobia
You may be at a high risk of suffering from this anxiety disorder if you have a history of suffering from other anxiety disorders if you are of the female gender and are aged between the ages of 20 -40, your chances of getting the disorder are increased. If you have had stressful events that left you traumatized, it elevates your chances of developing agoraphobia together with alcohol and other substance abuse.
Complications of agoraphobia
If you suffer from agoraphobia, you may go through some complications like instances of unforeseen panic attacks, depression, and anxiety. This may limit your life’s activities and social relationships. This disorder may also cause you problems at both work and school.
Diagnosis of agoraphobia
A doctor will diagnose you with this disorder through signs and symptoms by asking you to answer questions relating to your signs and symptoms. Family and medical history are also considered when conducting a diagnosis. To rule out physical causes for your symptoms, you may undergo a blood test.
For your symptoms to be confirmed as agoraphobia related, you must have a phobia of at least two of the following situations. Fear of using public means of transport or claustrophobia for places such as building basements. Being in a crowd or open spaces or being away from home. Having constant panic attacks that are followed by losing control and heart attacks which result in changes in behavior. In case your symptoms are brought about by another disorder, you will not be diagnosed with agoraphobia.
Precautions and prevention of agoraphobia
Though there is no proven way of preventing agoraphobia, you should seek treatment sooner than later to help you prevent worsening of the situation. You should not let the symptoms worsen as they may interfere with your day to day activities. There are a number of different treatments for agoraphobia. You’ll most likely need a combination of treatment methods.
Treatment of agoraphobia
Various treatment methods for this disorder include the following. Psychotherapy treatment where you will see a psychiatrist on regular occasions. This will help you talk about any fears you may be having and anything that may be leading to those fears. Some medication may be prescribed for effective progress. It is, however, a short-term method of treatment which stops once you are able to cope with your fears and anxiety.
There are different types of psychotherapy involved in the management of agoraphobia. They include;
Behavior therapy which exposes the patient to situations that are what they fear. Cognitive Therapy which involves you being made to examine their thought process and differentiate, for themselves the harmful and unwanted thought patterns so that they can gradually change their process of thinking and thus overcome their fears. Cognitive -Behavior Therapy (CBT) is all about helping you to rid yourself the unwanted responses to situations and learn how to react in a different manner.
Relaxation Techniques which involves you learning to take breaths if faced with these fearful situations. This helps you to cope with stress you may encounter in your daily activities.
Hypnotherapy is another form of treatment where your therapist hypnotizes you and explores your mind to establish the cause of these thoughts of fear. Energy Psychology involves you being helped your doctor to focus your energy on positive thoughts thus diverting your phobic thoughts to something else. Though it is similar to acupuncture, there are no needles involved.
Another form of treatment for this disorder is the homeopathic method of treatment which aids in calming the constant panic attacks, other sensations that are unpleasant and getting rid of the fears associated with this disorder.
Acupuncture and acupressure treatment for this disorder involves the use of needles to help you in focusing on the pain and therefore subverting your attention from fear triggers and on to the pain, you are experiencing. This method has been very effective in the treatment and management of agoraphobia.
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Patient's Feedback
For Safe Natural Holistic Treatment, contact or visit:
Ethos Healthcare
Email : contactethos@gmail.com
Phone: +91-11-26164016, 46026700
Mobile / Whatsapp: +91-9810155920
Website:
www.ethosbodyandmindclinic.com
and
www.ethoshealthcare.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an anxiety disorder where you will feel the need to avoid places and situations that that may make them feel trapped and helpless, embarrassed, panicked and scared. You might get panic attacks when you get yourself in a stressful situation. In case you are headed to a situation you dread; you might also feel this attack. Though the general assumption is that this is a fear of open spaces, it is more complicated than that.
Causes of agoraphobia
The exact cause of agoraphobia is not really known. Nonetheless, some factors are attributed to causing agoraphobia. They include;
If you suffer from depression, you are likely to develop agoraphobia, if you also suffer from other phobias like the fear of open spaces and enclosed spaces.
Other types of anxiety disorders like the obsessive-compulsive disorder and the generalized anxiety disorder could also lead to you developing agoraphobia.
If you also suffer from a history of either bodily abuse or sexual abuse, you could also develop this disorder due to trauma experienced. Or if you have had a problem with substance abuse, or family history of agoraphobia. This disorder affects women more than it does men, usually at a younger age.
Symptoms of agoraphobia
If you elicit the following symptoms, you could be suffering from agoraphobia. They include;
The sense of helplessness and fear of being alone in any situation. Being over-dependency on others.
Having the fear of losing control and embarrassing yourself in a public place. Having panic attacks and lightheadedness, trouble in breathing and excessive sweating.
If you are suffering from agoraphobia, you are likely to be;
Afraid of being in open spaces alone for a long time, in addition to this, you may also be afraid of being in places where escape would be hard for example, in elevators.
If you suffer from panic attacks associated with agoraphobia, you may also have the following symptoms; chest pains and increased heart rates, trembling and hot flushes accompanied by sweating and you may also tremble and experience tingling sensations.
Risk factors of agoraphobia
You may be at a high risk of suffering from this anxiety disorder if you have a history of suffering from other anxiety disorders if you are of the female gender and are aged between the ages of 20 -40, your chances of getting the disorder are increased. If you have had stressful events that left you traumatized, it elevates your chances of developing agoraphobia together with alcohol and other substance abuse.
Complications of agoraphobia
If you suffer from agoraphobia, you may go through some complications like instances of unforeseen panic attacks, depression, and anxiety. This may limit your life’s activities and social relationships. This disorder may also cause you problems at both work and school.
Diagnosis of agoraphobia
A doctor will diagnose you with this disorder through signs and symptoms by asking you to answer questions relating to your signs and symptoms. Family and medical history are also considered when conducting a diagnosis. To rule out physical causes for your symptoms, you may undergo a blood test.
For your symptoms to be confirmed as agoraphobia related, you must have a phobia of at least two of the following situations. Fear of using public means of transport or claustrophobia for places such as building basements. Being in a crowd or open spaces or being away from home. Having constant panic attacks that are followed by losing control and heart attacks which result in changes in behavior. In case your symptoms are brought about by another disorder, you will not be diagnosed with agoraphobia.
Precautions and prevention of agoraphobia
Though there is no proven way of preventing agoraphobia, you should seek treatment sooner than later to help you prevent worsening of the situation. You should not let the symptoms worsen as they may interfere with your day to day activities. There are a number of different treatments for agoraphobia. You’ll most likely need a combination of treatment methods.
Treatment of agoraphobia
Various treatment methods for this disorder include the following. Psychotherapy treatment where you will see a psychiatrist on regular occasions. This will help you talk about any fears you may be having and anything that may be leading to those fears. Some medication may be prescribed for effective progress. It is, however, a short-term method of treatment which stops once you are able to cope with your fears and anxiety.
There are different types of psychotherapy involved in the management of agoraphobia. They include;
Behavior therapy which exposes the patient to situations that are what they fear. Cognitive Therapy which involves you being made to examine their thought process and differentiate, for themselves the harmful and unwanted thought patterns so that they can gradually change their process of thinking and thus overcome their fears. Cognitive -Behavior Therapy (CBT) is all about helping you to rid yourself the unwanted responses to situations and learn how to react in a different manner.
Relaxation Techniques which involves you learning to take breaths if faced with these fearful situations. This helps you to cope with stress you may encounter in your daily activities.
Hypnotherapy is another form of treatment where your therapist hypnotizes you and explores your mind to establish the cause of these thoughts of fear. Energy Psychology involves you being helped your doctor to focus your energy on positive thoughts thus diverting your phobic thoughts to something else. Though it is similar to acupuncture, there are no needles involved.
Another form of treatment for this disorder is the homeopathic method of treatment which aids in calming the constant panic attacks, other sensations that are unpleasant and getting rid of the fears associated with this disorder.
Acupuncture and acupressure treatment for this disorder involves the use of needles to help you in focusing on the pain and therefore subverting your attention from fear triggers and on to the pain, you are experiencing. This method has been very effective in the treatment and management of agoraphobia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patient's Feedback
For Safe Natural Holistic Treatment, contact or visit:
Ethos Healthcare
Email : contactethos@gmail.com
Phone: +91-11-26164016, 46026700
Mobile / Whatsapp: +91-9810155920
Website:
www.ethosbodyandmindclinic.com
and
www.ethoshealthcare.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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