If you suffer from agoraphobia or other anxiety disorders, it can feel overwhelming and debilitating. But with treatment, you can manage your symptoms and live a full life.
People with agoraphobia have a persistent fear of being trapped in situations that they find challenging or embarrassing. They also have trouble leaving their homes. They may avoid going to shopping malls, using public transportation or being in crowded areas. Their fears can become so severe that they can't work, go to school or socialize with family and friends. They may even feel afraid to leave the house to get food or groceries.
Doctors don't know what causes agoraphobia. But it appears to run in families. It can begin during childhood, or in early adulthood. The condition can affect both men and women. People with agoraphobia often experience a panic attack, which is a burst of intense fear that comes on quickly and lasts for a few minutes. Symptoms can include a racing heartbeat, feeling like your throat is closing and nausea. People with agoraphobia can have these episodes at any time, but they're more likely to happen when they're in a feared situation.
Treatment for anxiety disorders usually includes psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, and medicine. Some of the most effective treatments for agoraphobia are a combination of exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches you practical skills to reduce your anxiety symptoms. Exposure therapy is a technique that helps you gradually face the things you're most afraid of.
You can also try other ways to reduce your symptoms, such as practicing deep breathing or taking antidepressants. The medicines most commonly used for agoraphobia are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). These medicines can prevent anxiety or make your symptoms less severe. They may also be helpful for depression.
If you have these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. He or she will do a physical exam and maybe some lab tests to rule out an underlying medical problem. Then he or she will ask you about your symptoms and how they're affecting you. You may need to discuss your past experiences, too.
If your doctor doesn't think there's a medical cause for your symptoms, he or she will refer you to a mental health professional. An experienced therapist can teach you how to control your anxiety symptoms and use a technique called gradual exposure to confront the situations you're most afraid of. In this treatment, you go into the environment or situation slowly and with a trusted friend. Your therapist will teach you how to cope with your anxiety while you're there, and help you build up the confidence to face more difficult situations. You can also join a support group to share your feelings with other people who have similar problems. These groups aren't a substitute for talk therapy and medicine, but they can be helpful. If you can't afford treatment, you may be able to get help from the government or charities.
