Agoraphobia – fear of open spaces

Is this a fear of open spaces, or is it the fear of having a panic attack where you will be totally embarrassed, in your eyes if no-one elses?

Approximately 2% of the population suffers from Agoraphobia, which on average commences around the age of 18 to 20. It seems to be most prevalent between the ages of 30 to 44, and is found to be more common in women, than men. I didn’t find the reason for more people to have this disorder at ages 30 to 44 and I wondered if it then tapers off after that as people get help. Or perhaps by the time a person gets to this age, they are so heartily sick of their symptoms that they decide to seek help.

Agoraphobia has traditionally been thought of as a fear of open spaces, however in more recent times, it seems that Agoraphobia is more about the fear of having a panic attack which will be observed by others, whether in that open space, or driving with others, or in a shopping centre. Agoraphobia is considered to be a subset of a Panic Disorder.

Symptoms of Panic Attacks may include:

• Embarrassment
• Blushing     Stop Blushing
• Perspiration
• Rapid heart rate
• Tight muscles
• Hyperventilation
• Jelly legs
• Sweaty palms
• Feeling like fainting
• Tingling
• Nausea

During Panic Attacks there may also be symptoms of derealisation – ie. feeling that the world is not real. There may also be dissociation – a feeling of detachment from one’s physical and emotional reality.

Check this out: Agoraphobia

A complication of Agoraphobia is that the person experiencing this disorder may then do anything they can to avoid Panic Attacks, or places where they have had a Panic Attack. This means that he or she avoids going out and withdraws to their safest space which is usually their home. They may avoid driving with others, unless they can drive because then they can control the drive and can elect to stop the car and get out if they feel a Panic Attack is imminent.

Would you like to Be More Sociable

Treatment for Agoraphobia

A variety of treatments are available for Agoraphobia and some may choose a combination of medication and psychological therapy.

Relaxation Training

Relaxation training is often the first line of defence, because anxiety usually precedes Panic Attacks. By learning how to relax muscles and mind, there is a better chance of being able to stay calm and keep control of thoughts. Once emotion has overwhelmed the conscious mind it can be quite difficult to regain clarity of thoughts and conscious control and relaxation is a great way to learn how to do this.

Hypnosis

Many people have used hypnosis to overcome anxiety, panic attacks and Agoraphobia. You may visit a Clinical Hypnotist for a few sessions, or purchase a CD, or purchase audio downloads and listen to these every day or night. Hypnosis provides a means of bypassing the conscious mind and getting directly to the subconscious, where it is said that much of the programming occurs. This allows or facilitates re-writing of the worries that have kept the person locked into Agoraphobia and panic.

Take a look at: Stop Worrying

Exposure Therapy

In exposure therapy the person experiencing Agoraphobia would be gradually exposed to the place, or situation that triggers the Agoraphobic response with a view to gradually increasing the length of the exposure time. Perhaps starting with a couple of minutes, and then increasing that to 5, then 10 minutes and so on. At the same time, the therapist (maybe your psychologist, or even a good friend) may be reminding you that you are safe, and to breathe, and to focus on the task at hand).

Systematic Desensitization

Systematic desensitization has a similar effect as exposure therapy, in that the person is systematically desensitized to the trigger. This may occur through photographs, videos, and reality checks in an actual situation relevant to the person with Agoraphobia.

Cognitive Restructuring

A psychologist would work with their client to provide sound logical and rational alternatives to the person’s thinking, instead of their program of negatively impacting self-talk. For example, if the person says, “I’m such an idiot, everyone is looking at me and they think I look like an idiot” then a rational response that could be substituted might be: “Look around, no-one is taking any notice of me” or, “Oh wow, everyone thinks I look great in this outfit”. By substituting positive statements, more positive feelings may be produced, and that may then lower anxiety levels.

Recovery from Agoraphobia

People do get over Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia. In fact, when the radio segment was broadcast today (Wednesday 11th April, 2012) on Radio 4BC (1116), a woman rang in who had suffered from Agoraphobia for many years. It was wonderful to hear her inform everyone that she had recovered through telling herself that her thoughts weren’t real and that she was okay.

So, take courage in hand, read and learn more, and take steps to help yourself or seek help from a psychologist or clinical hypnotist. You are worth it and your life is worth living.