Agoraphobia - Treatment

Treatment-Agoraphobia

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Treatment

A stepwise approach is usually recommended for treating agoraphobia and any underlying panic disorder.

The steps are as follows:

1. Find out more about your condition, the lifestyle changes you can make, and self-help techniques to help relieve symptoms. 
2. Enrol yourself on a guided self-helpprogramme. 
3. Undertake more intensive treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or see if your symptoms can be controlled using medication.

Agoraphobia - Diagnosis

Diagnosis-Agoraphobia

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Treatment

Speak to your GP if 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. It's very important to tell your GP about how you've been feeling and how your symptoms are affecting you.

They'll also want to know how your symptoms are affecting your daily behaviour. For example, they may ask:

• Do you find it stressful leaving the house? 
• Are there certain places or situations you have to avoid? 
• Have you adopted any avoidance strategies to help cope with your symptoms, such as relying on others to shop for you? 

It can be difficult to talk to someone else about your feelings, emotions and personal life, but try not to feel anxious or embarrassed. Your GP needs to know as much as possible about your symptoms to make the correct diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Agoraphobia - Causes

Causes-Agoraphobia

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Treatment

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.

Agoraphobia -Symptoms

Symptoms-Agoraphobia

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Treatment

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.

The symptoms of agoraphobia can be broadly classified into 3 types:

• physical 
• cognitive 
• behavioural

Agoraphobia - Overview

Overview-Agoraphobia

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Treatment

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 a more complex condition. Someone with agoraphobia may be scared of:

• travelling on public transport 
• visiting a shopping centre 
• leaving home 

If someone with agoraphobia finds themselves in a stressful situation, they'll usually experience the symptoms of a panic attack, such as:

• rapid heartbeat 
• rapid breathing (hyperventilating) 
• feeling hot and sweaty 
• feeling sick 

They'll avoid situations that cause anxietyand 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. 

Read more about the symptoms of agoraphobia.