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 panic attacks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label panic attacks. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
About Agoraphobia Symptoms
About Agoraphobia Symptoms
By Jeanette Pollock
Agoraphobia is perhaps the worst phobia that a person can have. It is the fear of being not only in a social setting, but also with people, themselves. Agoraphobic symptoms do not always have to be severe. They can be mild symptoms causing you to avoid certain people or places. The severe symptoms can be debilitating.
An agoraphobic with severe symptoms cannot function in a setting other then their home or safe setting. They often spend years without going outside. When they try, they suffer the most horrendous feelings of anxiety. Their lungs feel like they are collapsing, tightness overcomes their chests forcing them back into their home or whatever familiar surrounding makes them feel safe. Most often, an extremely traumatic event will trigger agoraphobic symptoms, often, if it is not treated, then the person will remain a recluse for years.
An overwhelming fear that the event will happen again will lead to agoraphobic symptoms and the person who is suffering will not leave their secure setting. Agoraphobic symptoms include the fear of socializing, rapid heartbeat when trying to leave their home or safe setting, tightness in their chest, and finally an overwhelming fear of death if they attempt to leave their safe setting. This usually drives the agoraphobic back into their home where they know they are safe. It is a devastating illness, however it can be cured.
Treatment for agoraphobic symptoms is different from other types of anxiety. It is not as simple as taking a pill and getting on with your life. It can take years of therapy to reduce agoraphobic symptoms to the point of stepping outside the door. The therapist must go the home of the person who is suffering from the agoraphobic symptoms and form a bond of trust with them. Only then can he or she start to make progress. For the person with agoraphobic symptoms, the world is against them and they have to do everything they can to protect themselves. This often leads to becoming a recluse. Only with the proper treatment can the person with agoraphobic symptoms start to lead a healthy normal life.
Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of anxietydomain.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more on how to stop anxiety disorders.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Pollock
http://EzineArticles.com/?About-Agoraphobia-Symptoms&id=575760
By Jeanette Pollock
Agoraphobia is perhaps the worst phobia that a person can have. It is the fear of being not only in a social setting, but also with people, themselves. Agoraphobic symptoms do not always have to be severe. They can be mild symptoms causing you to avoid certain people or places. The severe symptoms can be debilitating.
An agoraphobic with severe symptoms cannot function in a setting other then their home or safe setting. They often spend years without going outside. When they try, they suffer the most horrendous feelings of anxiety. Their lungs feel like they are collapsing, tightness overcomes their chests forcing them back into their home or whatever familiar surrounding makes them feel safe. Most often, an extremely traumatic event will trigger agoraphobic symptoms, often, if it is not treated, then the person will remain a recluse for years.
An overwhelming fear that the event will happen again will lead to agoraphobic symptoms and the person who is suffering will not leave their secure setting. Agoraphobic symptoms include the fear of socializing, rapid heartbeat when trying to leave their home or safe setting, tightness in their chest, and finally an overwhelming fear of death if they attempt to leave their safe setting. This usually drives the agoraphobic back into their home where they know they are safe. It is a devastating illness, however it can be cured.
Treatment for agoraphobic symptoms is different from other types of anxiety. It is not as simple as taking a pill and getting on with your life. It can take years of therapy to reduce agoraphobic symptoms to the point of stepping outside the door. The therapist must go the home of the person who is suffering from the agoraphobic symptoms and form a bond of trust with them. Only then can he or she start to make progress. For the person with agoraphobic symptoms, the world is against them and they have to do everything they can to protect themselves. This often leads to becoming a recluse. Only with the proper treatment can the person with agoraphobic symptoms start to lead a healthy normal life.
Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of anxietydomain.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more on how to stop anxiety disorders.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Pollock
http://EzineArticles.com/?About-Agoraphobia-Symptoms&id=575760
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Agoraphobia and Panic Attack Disorder Are Ruining Your Life
Agoraphobia and Panic Attack Disorder Are Ruining Your Life
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Denise_Durbin]Denise Durbin
Many people do not realize that agoraphobia is a form of anxiety disorder that is quite common but highly treatable. Agoraphobia and panic attack disorder are closely in that an individually suffering from agoraphobia fears situations or settings where they feel out of control or fear the onset of a panic attack in public.
When a person suffers from panic attacks they run the risk of having these attacks in a public place. After the very first panic attack, the person might become fearful of having another attack in a place that they cannot control. Spending time in places where they might have a panic attack becomes impossible for these people and agoraphobia becomes the problem.
This is why it is so important that panic attacks be treated immediately so that they do not progress to a state that completely hinders the quality of life. If you have had the symptoms of a panic attack the first thing that you must do is visit the doctor and be properly diagnosed. If it does turn out to be a panic disorder, then you can take the first steps for treatment.
The doctor may prescribe medication that will help to ease the symptoms of a panic attack when it is taking place. There are also antidepressant medications that will help patients keep their panic attacks under control.
There are also behavior therapies that work very well in the treatment of panic attacks and disorders. The most important part of treatment is that the panic disorder does not reach the level of agoraphobia. Sometimes the fear of having an attack is enough to trigger one. It is necessary to learn to control this type of thinking and put it in check before it causes a panic attack to happen.
Unfortunately, people can literally talk themselves right into having a panic attack just by the simple act of talking and thinking about panic attacks. These thought patterns must be changed. Cognitive behavior therapy is one treatment that seeks to do that.
There are also natural treatments that work very well for some people with panic disorders. Hypnosis and breathing techniques along with meditation are some of the more common natural approaches to panic disorder.
If feelings of anxiety have started to affect your ability to go to work or do any of the normal functions of life, you might need a more aggressive therapy for your condition. You should monitor your progress while you are seeking treatment for panic disorders and report any changes in your condition to your doctor or therapist.
If you are having panic attacks and have been diagnosed with anxiety or panic disorder, you should educate yourself on the connection between agoraphobia and panic attack disorder. It is important that you get a handle on the panic attacks before they impair the quality of your life.
Don't let panic attacks ruin your life, you can control anxiety and avoid [http://www.anxietyandpanicattack.net]long term medications for anxiety and panic attack. Visit http://www.AnxietyandPanicAttack.net today and find out how.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denise_Durbin http://EzineArticles.com/?Agoraphobia-and-Panic-Attack-Disorder-Are-Ruining-Your-Life&id=1546040
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Denise_Durbin]Denise Durbin
Many people do not realize that agoraphobia is a form of anxiety disorder that is quite common but highly treatable. Agoraphobia and panic attack disorder are closely in that an individually suffering from agoraphobia fears situations or settings where they feel out of control or fear the onset of a panic attack in public.
When a person suffers from panic attacks they run the risk of having these attacks in a public place. After the very first panic attack, the person might become fearful of having another attack in a place that they cannot control. Spending time in places where they might have a panic attack becomes impossible for these people and agoraphobia becomes the problem.
This is why it is so important that panic attacks be treated immediately so that they do not progress to a state that completely hinders the quality of life. If you have had the symptoms of a panic attack the first thing that you must do is visit the doctor and be properly diagnosed. If it does turn out to be a panic disorder, then you can take the first steps for treatment.
The doctor may prescribe medication that will help to ease the symptoms of a panic attack when it is taking place. There are also antidepressant medications that will help patients keep their panic attacks under control.
There are also behavior therapies that work very well in the treatment of panic attacks and disorders. The most important part of treatment is that the panic disorder does not reach the level of agoraphobia. Sometimes the fear of having an attack is enough to trigger one. It is necessary to learn to control this type of thinking and put it in check before it causes a panic attack to happen.
Unfortunately, people can literally talk themselves right into having a panic attack just by the simple act of talking and thinking about panic attacks. These thought patterns must be changed. Cognitive behavior therapy is one treatment that seeks to do that.
There are also natural treatments that work very well for some people with panic disorders. Hypnosis and breathing techniques along with meditation are some of the more common natural approaches to panic disorder.
If feelings of anxiety have started to affect your ability to go to work or do any of the normal functions of life, you might need a more aggressive therapy for your condition. You should monitor your progress while you are seeking treatment for panic disorders and report any changes in your condition to your doctor or therapist.
If you are having panic attacks and have been diagnosed with anxiety or panic disorder, you should educate yourself on the connection between agoraphobia and panic attack disorder. It is important that you get a handle on the panic attacks before they impair the quality of your life.
Don't let panic attacks ruin your life, you can control anxiety and avoid [http://www.anxietyandpanicattack.net]long term medications for anxiety and panic attack. Visit http://www.AnxietyandPanicAttack.net today and find out how.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denise_Durbin http://EzineArticles.com/?Agoraphobia-and-Panic-Attack-Disorder-Are-Ruining-Your-Life&id=1546040
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