Agoraphobia is the fear of crowded or open spaces, not just being outdoors. It can range from mild discomfort to intense panic attacks and is often associated with feeling exposed and unable to get to a safe place. Treatment involves slowly exposing patients to feared situations with the help of a professional.
If you break down the word agoraphobia, you can quickly see what it means. A phobia is the fear of something. Agora comes from the Greek language and refers to a meeting place, or more specifically a market. So this is the fear of being in crowded or open spaces.
Sometimes, agoraphobia is thought of as a fear of being outdoors, but that’s not entirely correct. People suffering from this condition are more often afraid of places where they are crowded, where it would be difficult to get away. A person may be reluctant to leave the house, but usually it’s not simply being outdoors that scares them.
Situations such as being in a crowded building, in a long corridor, in a large and exposed place, or in any unfamiliar territory can be very disturbing for agoraphobic sufferers. This fear is more associated with being unable to get to a safe place or feeling exposed and unprotected. A return to familiar territory can ease the symptoms of a phobia-related panic attack.
Symptoms of agoraphobia can range from mild feelings of discomfort or anxiety in large, crowded spaces, to intense fear and panic attacks. Agoraphobia is actually diagnosed differently depending on whether or not the patient suffers from panic disorders. In fact, many different psychological disorders, such as social phobia, separation anxiety disorder, and depression, can share symptoms with this condition. A professional diagnosis is needed to determine whether or not a person has agoraphobia.
There are several possible treatments for patients with agoraphobia. If other disorders contribute to or aggravate the condition, they may be treated separately. Helping patients take control of their fear by slowly exposing them to environments that may cause them fear and anxiety may reduce symptoms.
Patients can determine which situations trigger their agoraphobia and make an effort to overcome these fears. By slowly approaching each situation in a way that feels safe, the patient can learn to face their fears and deal with them rather than allowing fear to control them. A patient who has a fear of shopping malls might start by visiting a small corner store until he feels comfortable. Once a small step has been overcome, the patient will be ready to try and push their comfort zone a little further. A doctor or mental health professional will be able to help design a program and provide advice and medication if needed.
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