A phobia to put it in simple terms, is a fear of something. Agora comes from the Greek language, and refers to a place where people meet, or more specifically a marketplace. From this we see that agoraphobia is the fear of being in crowded or open spaces.
Agoraphobia is often thought of as the fear of being out in the open, but that isn't strictly correct. People suffering from agoraphobia are quite often more fearful of places where they feel crowded or "hemmed in", as my mother described it, where getting away would be difficult.
A person with agoraphobia is usually reluctant to leave their house, this is their safe territory. This supports the belief that it is not simply being outdoors that frightens the people affected by the condition. Situations such as being in a crowded building, a large exposed place, or any unfamiliar territory can be intensely disturbing to someone with agoraphobia. It is mostly associated with being unable to get to a safe location, or the feeling of being exposed and unprotected, being away from their comfort zone. Because of this a return to familiar territory and normality, may often relieve the symptoms of an agoraphobia related panic attack.
The effects of agoraphobia can range from mild feelings of discomfort or anxiety, to intense fear and panic attacks. Agoraphobia is actually diagnosed differently according to whether the patient experiences panic disorders or not. In fact, many different psychological disorders can share symptoms with agoraphobia, such as a social phobia, separation anxiety disorder (usually in children), and depression.
Overcoming or learning to live with Agoraphobia is a long process, but is one that can be achieved or at least made manageable.
Showing posts with label overcome agoraphobia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label overcome agoraphobia. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Overcome Agoraphobia - article 1
How To Overcome Agoraphobia - The Disease And Its Nature
By Jeanette Pollock
We hear of mental disorders yet calm ourselves by believing that it will not affect us. Panic attacks, social anxieties and anxiety problems are also forms of mental disorders. These problems can vary from being slight irritations to the unbearable agoraphobia. This is a state that can affect anyone. Hence, how to overcome agoraphobia is our primary concern.
Your life's daily routine is suddenly disrupted by a certain terror mechanism that clings to you. Your heartbeat increases, you suffer from breathing problems, you feel absolutely feeble and powerless. Its probably a heart attack or maybe I am dying- this is what crosses your mind. Your doctor will probably tell you that you are perfectly fine physically and there is actually nothing wrong with your physical system.
Thus these attacks will leave you extremely perturbed. You will notice that these alarming and scary attacks will be associated with particular incidents - this is when you will realize that you are going through a panic attack. Doctors usually fail to diagnose a panic attack immediately as they are do not affect the physical systems.
If a person keeps away from places or chooses not to confront situations that will instigate the panic attacks, the state is known as agoraphobia. The root of the word explains its nature- 'Agora" is a Greek word meaning a meeting place for people maybe a marketplace, and 'phobia' refers to a fear of something. Hence it says that agoraphobia is a condition when people suffering from it fear being in congested places.
This development occurs gradually and usually begins after a panic attack. Maybe subconsciously you will begin assimilating yourself for the next attack and also at the same time start being scared of the symptoms that leave you feeble. This whole concept of an attack and anticipating another might just lead to a radical alteration in your mode of living. You just might start doing different things in order to prevent those feelings of dread and shock. Panic attacks are most likely to take place just about anytime and in any given space- the place where the helplessness and weakness first creeps in is considered to be the cause for the terror.
People suffering from agoraphobia dislike and fear congested spaces. As a result of this they are often confined to their homes. They do everything possible to keep away from placers that might instigate a panic attack in order to overcome agoraphobia. This leads to agoraphobia attacks taking place in day-to-day life situations. Your increase in heartbeat might lead you to believe that you are experiencing a heart attack and this might cause a panic attack.
Agoraphobia is a vile and unbearable condition that affects the mind of the individual. People who suffer from panic attacks must immediately seek medical help before the panic attacks turn into a serious disorder. One needs to overcome agoraphobia as soon as possible or it will forever constrain one's lifestyle for fear of crowded spaces. This might also lead a person to become completely wrecked and inept to confront a panic situation.
Learn how to overcome agoraphobia by visiting Jeanette Pollock's website. Jeanette is an ex-panic attack sufferer and provides useful tips, advice and resources to effectively get rid of agoraphobia and panic attacks.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Pollock
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Overcome-Agoraphobia---The-Disease-And-Its-Nature&id=830499
By Jeanette Pollock
We hear of mental disorders yet calm ourselves by believing that it will not affect us. Panic attacks, social anxieties and anxiety problems are also forms of mental disorders. These problems can vary from being slight irritations to the unbearable agoraphobia. This is a state that can affect anyone. Hence, how to overcome agoraphobia is our primary concern.
Your life's daily routine is suddenly disrupted by a certain terror mechanism that clings to you. Your heartbeat increases, you suffer from breathing problems, you feel absolutely feeble and powerless. Its probably a heart attack or maybe I am dying- this is what crosses your mind. Your doctor will probably tell you that you are perfectly fine physically and there is actually nothing wrong with your physical system.
Thus these attacks will leave you extremely perturbed. You will notice that these alarming and scary attacks will be associated with particular incidents - this is when you will realize that you are going through a panic attack. Doctors usually fail to diagnose a panic attack immediately as they are do not affect the physical systems.
If a person keeps away from places or chooses not to confront situations that will instigate the panic attacks, the state is known as agoraphobia. The root of the word explains its nature- 'Agora" is a Greek word meaning a meeting place for people maybe a marketplace, and 'phobia' refers to a fear of something. Hence it says that agoraphobia is a condition when people suffering from it fear being in congested places.
This development occurs gradually and usually begins after a panic attack. Maybe subconsciously you will begin assimilating yourself for the next attack and also at the same time start being scared of the symptoms that leave you feeble. This whole concept of an attack and anticipating another might just lead to a radical alteration in your mode of living. You just might start doing different things in order to prevent those feelings of dread and shock. Panic attacks are most likely to take place just about anytime and in any given space- the place where the helplessness and weakness first creeps in is considered to be the cause for the terror.
People suffering from agoraphobia dislike and fear congested spaces. As a result of this they are often confined to their homes. They do everything possible to keep away from placers that might instigate a panic attack in order to overcome agoraphobia. This leads to agoraphobia attacks taking place in day-to-day life situations. Your increase in heartbeat might lead you to believe that you are experiencing a heart attack and this might cause a panic attack.
Agoraphobia is a vile and unbearable condition that affects the mind of the individual. People who suffer from panic attacks must immediately seek medical help before the panic attacks turn into a serious disorder. One needs to overcome agoraphobia as soon as possible or it will forever constrain one's lifestyle for fear of crowded spaces. This might also lead a person to become completely wrecked and inept to confront a panic situation.
Learn how to overcome agoraphobia by visiting Jeanette Pollock's website. Jeanette is an ex-panic attack sufferer and provides useful tips, advice and resources to effectively get rid of agoraphobia and panic attacks.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Pollock
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Overcome-Agoraphobia---The-Disease-And-Its-Nature&id=830499
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
How to Overcome Agoraphobia - An Agoraphobia Treatment That Works
How to Overcome Agoraphobia - An Agoraphobia Treatment That Works
By Michael Porteous
Agoraphobia is one of the more restricting and depressing conditions related to panic attacks. While some people know it as a fear of open spaces it is actually a fear of a loss of control where the sufferer will panic once they leave a place of control and security which is usually their own home which leads to the misconception about open spaces. So 'how to overcome agoraphobia' actually means 'how to remain calm when not in total control of a situation' and while most agoraphobia treatments know this they tend to approach it in the wrong way.
While it is natural to feel uneasy when situations are out of your control agoraphobics take this to an unhealthy level having panic attacks whenever they cannot handle the situation, coupled with this is a heightened sense of out of what is controllable and uncontrollable. While most people have no problems being outside or in crowded places because they have a good sense of risk and can handle randomness without being too flustered an agoraphobic cannot maintain this calmness and will break down. This can lead to serious problems with most treatments as most will involve unfamiliarity and uncertainty or no guarantee of success which is again an unknown element.
If we look at the most conventional agoraphobia treatments we can see a list of downsides.
Behavior Therapy
This is where the patient gets exposed to situations that would make them panic gradually to harden them against those things. This is problematic as it is very scary for the agoraphobic and if someone else is setting these situations up there is a lack of trust and control over the entire treatment. It may work but it is long and painful and many sufferers quit before they learn to cope.
Cognitive Therapy
This is the classic 'lie on a couch and talk about your problems' approach which poses many problems for agoraphobics. It is often very hard for them to make appointments to meet therapists, it is long and costly and the presence of the therapist is an uncontrollable factor for a long time until a large amount of trust is gained. The reliance on the therapist can also just transfer the sense of control to the therapist's room not curing the root causes.
Relaxation Techniques
While not harmful and sometimes helpful no amount of breathing techniques can cure the root cause of agoraphobia, it is often used in conjunction with other treatments and helps against the symptoms but is not a cure in its own right.
Hypnotherapy
This method allows the therapist to "reprogram" the sufferers thought patterns to a degree and has been shown to work with some phobias however agoraphobics fear of handing over control of themselves are usually horrified of the thought of someone else tinkering with their brains!
By now you can probably see a pattern emerging. All of these require heavy outside influence and often harsh methods that will scare off many sufferers. What is needed is an Agoraphobia treatment that gives the power and control to the individual with the condition. Only when the agoraphobic can feel in control as they progress further along their treatment can they keep motivated and learn to ease themselves into a more healthy state of mind.
While the goal is to remove the need for total control one needs a great measure of control of their destiny to start along the path so they can eventually learn they can handle the unexpected and unusual. How to overcome agoraphobia is not about other people beating a new reality into the agoraphobic's brain but about the agoraphobic taking control of his own life and knowing that control of his own self will make him stand strong against those things that are out of his control!
Do you want to take control of your life and break free of Agoraphobia? Do you want to live life free of the restrictions you impose on yourself and enjoy every breath in any place at any time? If so click hear to find out how you can cure your agoraphobia!
http://Anxiety.1001-Solutions.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Porteous
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Overcome-Agoraphobia---An-Agoraphobia-Treatment-That-Works&id=845759
By Michael Porteous
Agoraphobia is one of the more restricting and depressing conditions related to panic attacks. While some people know it as a fear of open spaces it is actually a fear of a loss of control where the sufferer will panic once they leave a place of control and security which is usually their own home which leads to the misconception about open spaces. So 'how to overcome agoraphobia' actually means 'how to remain calm when not in total control of a situation' and while most agoraphobia treatments know this they tend to approach it in the wrong way.
While it is natural to feel uneasy when situations are out of your control agoraphobics take this to an unhealthy level having panic attacks whenever they cannot handle the situation, coupled with this is a heightened sense of out of what is controllable and uncontrollable. While most people have no problems being outside or in crowded places because they have a good sense of risk and can handle randomness without being too flustered an agoraphobic cannot maintain this calmness and will break down. This can lead to serious problems with most treatments as most will involve unfamiliarity and uncertainty or no guarantee of success which is again an unknown element.
If we look at the most conventional agoraphobia treatments we can see a list of downsides.
Behavior Therapy
This is where the patient gets exposed to situations that would make them panic gradually to harden them against those things. This is problematic as it is very scary for the agoraphobic and if someone else is setting these situations up there is a lack of trust and control over the entire treatment. It may work but it is long and painful and many sufferers quit before they learn to cope.
Cognitive Therapy
This is the classic 'lie on a couch and talk about your problems' approach which poses many problems for agoraphobics. It is often very hard for them to make appointments to meet therapists, it is long and costly and the presence of the therapist is an uncontrollable factor for a long time until a large amount of trust is gained. The reliance on the therapist can also just transfer the sense of control to the therapist's room not curing the root causes.
Relaxation Techniques
While not harmful and sometimes helpful no amount of breathing techniques can cure the root cause of agoraphobia, it is often used in conjunction with other treatments and helps against the symptoms but is not a cure in its own right.
Hypnotherapy
This method allows the therapist to "reprogram" the sufferers thought patterns to a degree and has been shown to work with some phobias however agoraphobics fear of handing over control of themselves are usually horrified of the thought of someone else tinkering with their brains!
By now you can probably see a pattern emerging. All of these require heavy outside influence and often harsh methods that will scare off many sufferers. What is needed is an Agoraphobia treatment that gives the power and control to the individual with the condition. Only when the agoraphobic can feel in control as they progress further along their treatment can they keep motivated and learn to ease themselves into a more healthy state of mind.
While the goal is to remove the need for total control one needs a great measure of control of their destiny to start along the path so they can eventually learn they can handle the unexpected and unusual. How to overcome agoraphobia is not about other people beating a new reality into the agoraphobic's brain but about the agoraphobic taking control of his own life and knowing that control of his own self will make him stand strong against those things that are out of his control!
Do you want to take control of your life and break free of Agoraphobia? Do you want to live life free of the restrictions you impose on yourself and enjoy every breath in any place at any time? If so click hear to find out how you can cure your agoraphobia!
http://Anxiety.1001-Solutions.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Porteous
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Overcome-Agoraphobia---An-Agoraphobia-Treatment-That-Works&id=845759
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