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 amore complex condition. Someone with agoraphobia may be scared of:
If someone with agoraphobia finds themselves in a stressful situation, they'll usually experience the symptoms of a panic attack , such as:
They'll avoid situations that cause anxiety and may only leave the house with a friend or partner. They'll order groceries online rather than going to the supermarket. This change in behaviour is known as avoidance.
It can arise by associating panic attacks with the places or situations where they occurred and then avoiding them.
A minority of people with agoraphobia have no history of panic attacks. In these cases, their fear may be related to issues likea fear of crime, terrorism, illness, or being in an accident.
Traumatic events, such as bereavement , may contribute towards agoraphobia, as well as certain genes inherited from your parents.
It should be possible to arrange a telephone consultationif you don't feel ready to visit your GP in person.
Your GP will ask you to describe your symptoms, how often they occur, and in what situations. It's very important you tell them how you've been feeling and how your symptoms are affecting you.
Your GP may ask you the following questions:
It can sometimes be difficult to talk about your feelings, emotions, and personal life, but try not to feel anxious or embarrassed. Your GP needs to know as much as possibleabout your symptoms tomake the correct diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
This involves working through self-help manuals that cover the types of issues you might be facing, along with practical advice about how to deal with them.
Medication may be recommended if self-help techniques and lifestyle changes aren't effective in controlling your symptoms. 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.
Around half experience an improvement in symptoms, but they may have periods when theirsymptoms become more troublesome for example, if they feel stressed.
Despite treatment, about one in five people with agoraphobia continue to experience troublesome symptoms.
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.