How does agoraphobia begin?

Most cases of agoraphobia develop as a complication of panic disorder. 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.

Just so, how does agoraphobia develop?

Most people develop agoraphobia after having had one or more panic attacks. These attacks cause them to fear further attacks, so they try to avoid the situation in which the attack occurred. People with agoraphobia may need help from a companion to go to public places, and may at times feel unable to leave home.

One may also ask, what are the symptoms of a person with agoraphobia? Physical symptoms associated with agoraphobia may include symptoms of a panic attack, such as:

Rapid heart rate.
Excessive sweating.
Trouble breathing.
Feeling shaky, numb, or tingling.
Chest pain or pressure.
Lightheadedness or dizziness.
Sudden flushing or chills.
Upset stomach or diarrhea.

Accordingly, how does agoraphobia affect your life?

In severe cases, a person with agoraphobia considers their home to be the only safe environment. They may avoid leaving their home for days, months or even years. A person with agoraphobia is unwilling to visit 'unsafe' places, because they are afraid that doing so will trigger anxiety or a panic attack.

Does agoraphobia ever go away?

If untreated, the agoraphobic feelings can last for years after the traumatic event occurred. Individual panic attacks vary in length. A panic attack usually lasts between 10 and 30 minutes, although some people have reported hour-long attacks. While these incidents are uncomfortable, they are always temporary.

18 Related Question Answers Found

What is the best therapy for agoraphobia?

Antidepressants are more effective than anti-anxiety medications in the treatment of agoraphobia. Antidepressants. Certain antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), are used for the treatment of panic disorder with agoraphobia.

What famous person has agoraphobia?

Food Network chef Paula Deen is known for her bubbly personality, so many fans were shocked when she explained in her biography that she had agoraphobia for 20 years. Deen is hardly the only celebrity to experience this potentially debilitating condition, however.

What helps agoraphobia?

7 Steps to Help Ease Agoraphobia

Learn More. Agoraphobia is a complex and often misunderstood anxiety disorder.
Practice Patience.
Don't Trivialize the Person's Feelings and Experiences.
Help Your Friend Create An Anxiety Plan.
Be a Support System.
Regularly Check-In.
Encourage Them to Seek Professional Treatment.

Can I get disability for agoraphobia?

People who have agoraphobia can qualify for disability benefits. The Social Security Administration detailed specific criteria that people must meet to qualify for agoraphobia-caused disability. For someone to qualify for disability benefits, their agoraphobia must be debilitating.

Are there different levels of agoraphobia?

It is available in both clinician-administered and self-rating formats. It contains 5 sub-scales: panic attacks, agoraphobic avoidance, anticipatory anxiety, disability, and functional avoidance (health concerns).

Why do crowds cause anxiety?

Crowds tend to trigger anxiety because we are in an unfamiliar situation, Dr. Bea says. “The situation feels odd, and it starts to generate a feeling of dangerousness,” he says. “So we tend to think we're in a dangerous spot, when we're not in danger at all.”

What is the opposite of agoraphobia?

claustrophobia. Claustrophobia is an irrational or abnormal fear of being in an enclosed space. Broadly speaking, the opposite of claustrophobia is agoraphobia, which is the fear of open spaces.

Is agoraphobia inherited?

Agoraphobia is commonly genetically inherited, but there are other reasons someone may develop the disorder. Learn what the most likely cause of having agoraphobia is. The DSM-5 states that heritability of agoraphobia is 61 percent, meaning genetics is the most likely cause of someone developing the disorder.

Why am I afraid of going outside?

Triggers for this anxiety may include wide-open spaces, crowds (social anxiety), or traveling (even short distances). Agoraphobia is often, but not always, compounded by a fear of social embarrassment, as the agoraphobic fears the onset of a panic attack and appearing distraught in public.

Why am I afraid to leave my house?

Agoraphobia is often a progressive phobia, and may eventually lead to a fear of leaving the house. However, it is the panic attack, rather than the act of being in public, that is the cause of the fear.

Can PTSD cause agoraphobia?

The hyper vigilance of a person diagnosed with PTSD is much like the state of anxiety one feels fearing the effects of yet another panic attack. In both cases, severe anxiety can force the person into avoidance as a means of survival. Both disorders can create “agoraphobia.”

What is Algophobia?

Algophobia or algiophobia is a phobia of pain - an abnormal and persistent fear of pain that is far more powerful than that of a normal person. The term comes from the Greek: ?λγος, álgos, "pain" and φόβος, phóbos, "fear". According to Sabino Metta, a behavioral psychologist, the phobic reaction is a learned behavior.

What can trigger agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia without panic disorder

This type of agoraphobia can be triggered by a number of different irrational fears (phobias), such as the fear of: being a victim of violent crime or a terrorist attack if you leave your house. becoming infected by a serious illness if you visit crowded places.

How can I kill anxiety naturally?

10 Ways to Naturally Reduce Anxiety

Stay active. Regular exercise is good for your physical and emotional health.
Don't drink alcohol. Alcohol is a natural sedative.
Stop smoking.
Ditch caffeine. If you have chronic anxiety, caffeine is not your friend.
Get some sleep.
Meditate.
Eat a healthy diet.
Practice deep breathing.