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A person suffering from compulsive fear of a particular activity, situation or thing is said to be suffering from phobia. Agoraphobia is a strong fear of being in an inescapable situation that may or may not be humiliating. It is a bit similar to the bipolar disorder definition in some ways. Though there is no conclusive evidence of any particular cause of this condition, it is thought to develop in response to events that provoke anxiety, especially if the patient is repeatedly exposed to it.
Agoraphobia Symptoms
Some of the common symptoms of this type of phobia include embarrassing and inescapable panic attack during a stressful situation. These type of symptoms are similar in the mood quiz field. Symptoms of panic attack include disorientation, intense fear, diarrhea, dizziness and rapid heart-beat. Once agoraphobic individuals experience the above mentioned symptoms, they normally tend to avoid situations that provoke these responses and require immediate agoraphobia treatment.
Behavioral Changes In People Suffering From Phobia Symptoms
Those who struggle with symptoms of phobia usually start avoiding situations that trigger their attacks. They stay away from events, situations and places that could cause a full-blown panic attack. Those who suffer from agoraphobia experience similar symptoms in different situations. For instance, if a person has phobia for travel, he or she may fear various forms of travel such as cars, trains, buses and flights. Some others may be petrified of busy shopping areas and large crowds. The practice of avoiding circumstances that trigger phobia can become so severe that it affects the overall quality of life of patients. As one of the most common agoraphobia symptoms, patients may stay within the safe zone they specify for themselves. They limit their exposure to restrictive boundaries and this impacts negatively various aspects of their lives such as employment and relationships.
To go out of their safe zone is hugely challenging for people suffering from this condition. They find it increasingly difficult maintaining their career goals and friendships and this in turn leads to further feelings of isolation and loneliness. All these symptoms require immediate agoraphobia treatment.
Treatment Options
Effective medications, psychotherapy and a variety of other treatment options are available for this phobia.
Psychotherapy – This therapy is very helpful for patients suffering from agoraphobia. It focuses on relieving self-defeating, anxiety-provoking, negative behavior and thoughts. Also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy addresses panic disorder associated with this condition effectively with or without medications.
Self-exposure – This is another form of therapy found to be very effective in managing agoraphobia symptoms. This therapy is all about getting patients to visualize and imagine themselves in highly stressful situations that could trigger this phobia and teaching them how to relax under those circumstances and master their anxiety.
Medical Therapy For Agoraphobia Treatment
Medically, this phobia is treated in connection with panic disorder. Doctors may prescribe benzodiazepine medications that are minor tranquilizers or SSRI or Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitor. SSRI medications prescribed to manage symptoms of this phobia include fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline.
SSRI medications come with their own side effects which may vary depending on the type of medication used and severity of the condition. Some of the common side effects experienced by patients include sexual dysfunction, dry mouth, sleep disturbances, tremors, nausea, constipation, blurred vision and dizziness. When put on medicines, some patients are also found to become more depressed and anxious and in rare cases homicidal or suicidal.
