The fear in ‘fear of open spaces’ isn't about open spaces themselves Fear of open spaces is more a fear of experiencing panic attacks in the open and not being able to flee Agoraphobia develops after panic attacks have been happening regularly for a very long time
Symptoms of agoraphobia are many and include:
• Fear of crowded places
• Avoidance of public transportation
• Bouts of recurring panic
• Avoidance of all unfamiliar areas
• Leaving home always triggers panic.
• Extreme reliance on other folks for most basic needs.
• Lack of social network, isolation
Agoraphobia is a very extreme version of panic disorder Agoraphobia can develop on its own or in combination with different emotional illnesses Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), clinical depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social anxiety disorder are simply a few of the numerous mental disorders that may be diagnosed together with agoraphobia.
Anxiety disorders are more common than any other mental illness in America nowadays Over 30% of all the money currently spent on mental health issues goes toward treating anxiety and anxiety disorders.
Agoraphobia is a very debilitating disorder. Agoraphobias can become dependent on others to the point of being totally housebound Normal tasks trigger so much fear that agoraphobics end up doing less and less for themselves.
Agoraphobia usually starts out as panic disorder and then gets worse over time. Symptoms of panic disorder are many but all center around intense fear, including shortness of breath, tightness or pain within the chest, dizziness, nausea, fear, confusion, and tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, and face.
Panic attacks are very similar in look and feel to heart attacks. Multiple ER visits are typically made before victims receive a diagnosis of panic disorder. Physicians need to run tests to tell panic from heart disease
Panic attack sufferers typically depend on avoidance to keep themselves from having additional attacks. Panic victims might avoid public places completely Avoidance marks the beginning of agoraphobia Folks can become fully housebound if treatment isn't sought
Successful treatment of agoraphobia is possible however Full recovery is normal Therapy, medicine, or some combination of both might be used to treat the illness.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a popular short-term kind of treatment CBT ‘reframes’ the agoraphobic’s experiences so fear gradually goes away
Systematic desensitization is also sometimes used Systematic desensitization sessions are used to slow increase the exposure of the agoraphobic to stressful conditions. Agoraphobics must tolerate the exposure till no fear is felt. Stimuli are then increased again till finally they have no effect.
SSRI antidepressant medication is the foremost commonly prescribed drug therapy for agoraphobia SSRI drug therapy works by regulating the amount of serotonin circulating within the bloodstream.
Serotonin is the body’s own natural tranquilizer Some folks cannot maintain healthy serotonin levels without drugs, though the reason for this is still unknown
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