What is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia literally means the fear of open spaces. Clinically it is an anxiety disorder where there is a feeling of helplessness and being trapped in crowded areas. This leads to avoidance behaviours that vary from person to person and typically includes distancing yourself from open spaces, transportation and large crowds. Additionally, many people with agoraphobia are fearful of having panic attacks in places where no one would be available to help them. Avoidance behaviours greatly limit your quality of life.
People who have developed Agoraphobia fear leaving home or need a companion while going out. It is possible for these fears and avoidance behaviours to become so extreme that you become completely home bound out of fear.
How common is agoraphobia?
Up to 2 people in 100 have a panic disorder. Unfortunately about a third will go on to develop agoraphobia unless they have an Agoraphobia therapy treatment.
Agoraphobia is twice as common in women as men and usually starts between the ages of 18 and 35.
Until now, there has been no authentic evidence of the reasons behind developing Agoraphobia or other panic disorders.
Genetics and family history or environmental factors are said to be responsible for this panic disorder.
How to Recognise Agoraphobia
Whether you feel you could have agoraphobia or you believe a friend or loved one has this anxiety disorder it can be extremely frightening and even debilitating.
Some of the signs and symptoms of agoraphobia can include:
Avoiding certain places or situations that trigger their fear.
Using avoidance strategies, having someone else go to the store or making excuses not to attend places or events that trigger the fear.
Experiencing stress or discomfort when leaving the house or being in certain situations.
Someone with agoraphobia will experience a sense of fear that’s far more pronounced than the situation calls for.
People with agoraphobia will try and avoid the the places and situations that cause them fear, if they do encounter them they can often become upset or have extreme anxiety.
Physical symptoms of intense anxiety and panic can include sweating, problems breathing, trembling, chest pain and dizziness.
How to help people with Agoraphobia
Practice Patience
No one wants to experience an anxiety disorder like agoraphobia. You may not be able to relate to what they are feeling, however you can still show a sense of understanding. It’s often traumatic and overwhelming for them and as a friend or loved one, a sense of patience will help.
Don’t trivialise their feelings and experiences
Often people with mental health disorders are being told to just get over it, or to toughen up. Agoraphobia symptoms aren’t in the control of someone with the disorder and it’s not a weakness or a personal failure.
Trivialising it or marginalising someone with Agoraphobia and the symptoms they are feeling will only increase their stress and sense of hopelessness or worthlessness.
Help Your Friend Create An Anxiety Plan
An organisation called Anxiety Canada has a concept called My Anxiety Plan (MAP). The process for creating a MAP relies on creating a set of steps and strategies that can be used to deal with symptoms of anxiety disorders.
Be a Support System
Let your friend know that you are there for them to listen and have them share what they are feeling. People with anxiety disorders often value having a strong support system. Create a judgement-free environment to help them with feelings of shame or embarrassment.
Regularly Check-In
Even when their not in a situation where they are fearful, or they aren’t experiencing acute symptoms of agoraphobia, it can be helpful for them to know you care.
Encourage Them to Seek Professional Treatment
Agoraphobia is a serious, debilitating condition for many people who live with it. Encourage your friend to get professional help, such as hypnotherapy for Agoraphobia to improve their quality of life and avoid complications resulting from letting their disorder go untreated.
It’s not up to you to treat your friend or loved one’s agoraphobia, however you can be supportive and help encourage them to seek treatment and volunteer to drive them to their first appointment.
Of course you can’t force a person into treatment, however if you show that you’re willing to help them, it can serve as a form of encouragement.
Sydney Phobia Therapy has an online therapy for Agoraphobia.
We currently use a 3rd generation version of social phobia therapy based on the original Fast Phobia Cure initially created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the 1970’s.
Now when I say fast, I mean typically one session only, no homework and its content free.
Content free means you don’t talk about, and you certainly don’t tell me, because I don’t want it either. You’re seeing me online, so stay in the comfort of your own space and no travel time, to have it removed, not to see if we can talk it to death.
