Showing posts with label symptoms of agoraphobia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label symptoms of agoraphobia. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

What is Agoraphobia? - A laymans View

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.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Symptoms of Agoraphobia

Symptoms of Agoraphobia
By Arman Hansen


There are many anxiety disorders and we have all probably experienced the symptoms at one time or another. Some say this is what makes us human but when they become disruptive and more frequent, we can't just let it take control of our lives and the best thing to do is find treatment.

Through the years, various drugs and therapies have been introduced and there has been a modicum of success only in some patients. The challenging part is the process. Only through trial and error will you know if it is working or not. That is only after a few months of experience.

If you are diagnosed with this illness and your first reaction is denial, you should get a second opinion before you believe it totally. But if the results are the same, then it is time to get as much information about this subject so you become informed.

This information may already prepare you for the sensations and symptoms usually felt during an attack. The symptoms you may experience when you have an anxiety disorder include apprehension, fatigue, headaches, nausea, muscle tension, rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, abdominal pain and faintness.

While you may not always be able to prevent it from happening, you also need to learn how to calm yourself down. There are techniques that you can use like deep breathing exercises and visualization that are very useful.

From there, you can speak with your doctor about possible preventive measures. Chances are medication will be prescribed so you have to be aware of the side effects and its limitations. The drugs can only provide a short-term solution.

When looking for the right doctor, find out what medications and treatments that he or she have used in the past. It is important that you feel comfortable around this person. If something does not feel right, it is best to find someone else.

Most of the drugs on the market can only be used for a few months because you may become addicted to them. This is why the gradual reduction is done so you do no suffer from the effects of withdrawal symptoms.


The best news about agoraphobia is that they can be overcome. Once you are able to face that fear and surpass it, you will be able to live a normal life again.

If you have agoraphobia or knows someone who does, the best strategy is to take this problem one step at a time. Learn more at http://agoraphobia.relatedtips.com

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