Table of Contents
What is feared by a person who has agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn’t be available if things go wrong. Many people assume agoraphobia is simply a fear of open spaces, but it’s actually a more complex condition. Someone with agoraphobia may be scared of: travelling on public transport. A diagnosis of agoraphobia can usually be made if: you’re anxious about being in a place or situation where escape or help may be difficult if you feel panicky or have a panic attack, such as in a crowd or on a bus. you avoid situations described above, or endure them with extreme anxiety or the help of a companion. Symptoms of agoraphobia relating to behaviour include: avoiding situations that could lead to panic attacks, such as crowded places, public transport and queues. being housebound – not being able to leave the house for long periods of time. needing to be with someone you trust when going anywhere. Don’t say “get over it” or “toughen up.” This can be frustrating for a person with agoraphobia and it can prevent them from reaching out for help in the future.
How do people with agoraphobia survive?
Your doctor will usually treat agoraphobia with therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. Therapy. Cognitive therapy can teach you new ways to think about or face situations that cause panic and help you be less afraid. You may also learn relaxation and breathing exercises. Agoraphobia treatment usually includes both psychotherapy — also called talk therapy — and medicine. It may take some time, but treatment can help you get better. The bulk of CBT treatment for agoraphobia involves exposure therapy, in which you systematically expose yourself to places and situations that you fear with guidance from your therapist. In doing so, you learn to tolerate the panic and anxiety until it lessens with repetition. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown highly effective in treating panic disorder and agoraphobia. For example, research studies in the United States and England have shown that CBT has an 85-90% success rate over the course of 20-25 sessions. An SSRI called sertraline is usually recommended for people with agoraphobia. About agoraphobia A person with agoraphobia is afraid to leave environments they know or consider to be safe. In severe cases, a person with agoraphobia considers their home to be the only safe environment. They may avoid leaving their home for days, months or even years.
What is the root cause of agoraphobia?
Psychological factors a traumatic childhood experience, such as the death of a parent or being sexually abused. experiencing a stressful event, such as bereavement, divorce, or losing your job. a previous history of mental illnesses, such as depression, anorexia nervosa or bulimia. alcohol misuse or drug misuse. Psychological factors a traumatic childhood experience, such as the death of a parent or being sexually abused. experiencing a stressful event, such as bereavement, divorce, or losing your job. a previous history of mental illnesses, such as depression, anorexia nervosa or bulimia. alcohol misuse or drug misuse.
What are the levels of agoraphobia?
The average total score reduces the overall score to a 5-point scale, which allows the clinician to think of the severity of the individual’s agoraphobia in terms of none (0), mild (1), moderate (2), severe (3), or extreme (4). The DSM-5 states that remission rates without treatment are quite low, with averages estimated at about 10%. Agoraphobia is also associated with an increased risk of developing comorbid major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), and substance use disorders. Prevalence of Agoraphobia Among Adults An estimated 1.3% of U.S. adults experience agoraphobia at some time in their lives. According to the DSM-5, agoraphobia is present in approximately 1.7% of the general population. It further states that most cases of agoraphobia present before the age of 35.
How rare is agoraphobia?
Prevalence of Agoraphobia Among Adults An estimated 1.3% of U.S. adults experience agoraphobia at some time in their lives. 1 For example, a person with agoraphobia may avoid driving a car, leaving the comfort of home, shopping in a mall, traveling by airplane, or simply being in a crowded area. The difference between social anxiety and agoraphobia is that a person with agoraphobia fears having anxiety attacks or losing control in specific situations, while a person with social anxiety worries about being judged or feeling embarrassed in social situations. Even though there are measures you can take on your own, seeking agoraphobia help from a professional can create significant improvements in symptoms and overall quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common forms of psychotherapy used to treat agoraphobia. If left untreated, agoraphobia can have dangerous consequences. “Depression is more likely in people with agoraphobia and the longer it’s left untreated, the higher the risk,” says Rosenstein. He explains that other anxiety disorders, psychiatric conditions and health problems are also more likely. If left untreated, agoraphobia can last for years, during which the person may experience multiple panic attacks and fear experiencing future ones. Although individual panic attacks usually last between 10 and 30 minutes, agoraphobia itself can last a lifetime if the person doesn’t get help.
Is agoraphobia a severe mental illness?
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 panic-agoraphobic spectrum incorporates eight domains of clinical features: 1) separation sensitivity, 2) panic-like symptoms, 3) stress sensitivity, 4) medication and substance sensitivity, 5) anxious expectation, 6) agoraphobia, 7) illness phobia and hypochondriasis, 8) reassurance orientation. Agoraphobia and Co-Occurring Conditions The condition is often confused with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia because it shares symptoms with these mental health conditions. An individual’s fear of going outside or of leaving their comfort zone can cause schizoaffective disorder symptoms. It relates to a common anxiety-related symptom – panic. Those struggling with agoraphobia may feel unable to leave home or another comfortable space because they anticipate a panic attack. Anxiety is a common symptom of trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related disorders. You’ll usually be prescribed a course of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are also used to treat anxiety and depression. In severe cases of agoraphobia, medication can be used in combination with other types of treatment, such as CBT and relaxation therapy. Without treatment agoraphobia tends to get worse with time. The more you avoid, the more you are likely to avoid in the future.
How severe can agoraphobia get?
Agoraphobia can severely limit your ability to socialize, work, attend important events and even manage the details of daily life, such as running errands. Don’t let agoraphobia make your world smaller. Call your health care provider or a mental health professional if you have symptoms of agoraphobia or panic attacks. Agoraphobia may be classified separately from panic disorder, because some people have the symptoms of agoraphobia without experiencing a panic attack. However, some people will have panic attacks along with their other symptoms of agoraphobia. Given this situation, you may have often wondered if suffering from agoraphobia makes you eligible for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (known as SSDI benefits). The short answer is that, yes, you can qualify for disability due to agoraphobia. How long does agoraphobia last? Many people with agoraphobia make a full recovery after seeking help. But for some people who don’t get treatment, agoraphobia can last years. The panic attacks caused by the condition usually last between 10 and 30 minutes, although some people experience shorter or longer incidents.