Agoraphobia – A Different Kind of Fear
Although phobias have intrigued people since the beginning of time, a few have become very well know, particularly a few that have been designated as their own category of phobia. Agoraphobia was mistaken for a specific phobia of going in public, but Agoraphobia is somewhat different from this. Treatment for Agoraphobia also differs from treatment for specific phobia, and this is the main reason why Agoraphobia is not designated as a specific phobia.
Agoraphobics do characteristically avoid public places, but Agoraphobics do not simply have an irrational fear of public. Instead Agoraphobia is based on a fear of having a phobic reaction in public, specifically a panic attack. In fact, it is this fear of having a panic attack in an uncontrolled environment that causes many Agoraphobics to become homebound.
Essentially the fear of having a panic attack is so great that people who begin having frequent panic attacks become hyper sensitive to the precursors for a panic attack, like increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and sweaty palms. Because of the irrationality of these disorders, a slight increase in heart rate, even if it is normal (from climbing stairs, drinking caffeine, etc.), will make them begin to worry that they may be having a panic attack. The thought of the panic attack is the trigger for Agoraphobia, which causes them to have an actual panic attack.
As the panic attacks become more and more frequent, a person with Agoraphobia begins to worry also about the awkwardness of having a panic attack someplace that they cannot escape or will have to endure their panic attack in front of other people. This leads to increased panic attacks in places they are concerned about, which eventually leads to Agoraphobic people being hemmed in to certain areas and cause them to completely avoid many activities and places because of their fear of having a panic attack. Many Agoraphobic people are afraid of leaving their home, while even more severe cases limit people to only a few rooms in their house.
Before Agoraphobia was recognized as its own distinct disorder, treatment was hit and miss, but now Agoraphobia can be treated with success. Treatment for Agoraphobia is typically twofold. Anti anxiety medication is usually prescribed to suppress and control the panic attacks. When the panic attacks are somewhat under control, the Agoraphobia sufferer can be shown how to deal with panic attacks when they come up, and they can slowly take on activities they normally would not dream of. One step people with Agoraphobia may do to conquer their fear is to induce panic attack symptoms, such as increased heart rate, and focus on convincing themselves that it is normal and they are not having a panic attack.
Fortunately for many people, Agoraphobia can now be treated as its own unique phobia, which allows Agoraphobia sufferers the peace of mind to leave their home without the constant fear that a panic attack will strike.
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