Agoraphobia
Most cases of agoraphobia develop as a complication of panic disorder.
Agoraphobia can sometimes develop if a person has a panic attack in a specific situation or environment.
They begin to worry so much about having another panic attack that they feel the symptoms of a panic attack returning when they're in a similar situation or environment.
This causes the person to avoid that particular situation or environment.
As with many mental health conditions, the exact cause of Panic disorder isn't fully understood.
However, most experts think a combination of biological and psychological factors may be involved.
There are a number of theories about the type of biological factors that may be involved with panic disorders. These are outlined below.
One theory is panic disorder is closely associated with your body's natural "fight or flight" reflex its way of protecting you from stressful and dangerous situations.
Anxiety and fear cause your body to release hormones, such as adrenaline, and your breathing and heart rate are increased. This is your body's natural way of preparing itself for a dangerous or stressful situation.
In people with panic disorder, it's thought the fight or flight reflex may be triggered wrongly, resulting in a panic attack.
Another theory is an imbalance in levels of neurotransmitters in the braincan affect mood and behaviour. This can lead to a heightened stress response in certain situations, triggering the feelings of panic.
The "fear network" theory suggests the brains of people with panic disorders may be wired differently from most people.
There may be a malfunction inparts of the brain known to generate both the emotion of fear and the corresponding physical effect fear can bring. They may be generating strong emotions of fear thattriggera panic attack.
Links have been found between panic disorders and spatial awareness. Spatial awareness is the ability to judge where you are in relation to other objects and people.
Some people with panic disorder have a weakened balance system and awareness of space. This can cause them to feel overwhelmed and disorientated in crowded places, triggering a panic attack.
Psychological factors that increase your risk of developing agoraphobia include:
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 amore complex condition.
The severity of agoraphobia can vary significantly between individuals. For example, someone with severe agoraphobia may be unable to leave the house, whereas someone who has mild agoraphobia may be able to travel short distances without problems.
Most cases of agoraphobia develop as a complication of panic disorder. Agoraphobia can sometimes develop if a person has a panic attack in a specific situation or environment.
Speak to your GP i f you think you have agoraphobia. If you're unable to visit your GP in person, it should be possible to arrange a telephone consultation. Your GP will ask you to describe your symptoms, how often they occur, and in what situations.
A stepwise approach is usually recommended for treating agoraphobia and any underlying panic disorder.
Claire Ledger was diagnosed with agoraphobia after having a number of panic attacks in public places. She describes the impact it had on her life and how she overcame it.