Before we start our attempt to explain and define agoraphobia, let us show why we decided to talk about it. We will show the reason in terms of numbers.

We have found a figure that says that agoraphobia rate in the USA is about 1 person in 84 people is managing and dealing with Agoraphobia. This means that 3.2 million people in the USA and dealing with Agoraphobia.

Agoraphobia as a disorder is categorized under anxiety disorders in the anxiety DSM IV. Therefore, it is looked at as one of the types of anxiety.

One simple definition of Agoraphobia that we came across says that this disorder is the fear of open spaces. Not only we find that this definition is simple in nature, but it also does not give all the dimensions necessary to understand its real scope.

If we dig deeper to find more accurate and elaborate definitions for Agoraphobia disorder we find an explanation that says it is a condition whereby a person suffers from fear of being in places or situations that are outside of their familiar environment.

A person who suffers from Agoraphobia is usually confined to a place and/or person(s) that he is comfortable with and considers as familiar. Any situation that takes this person from such comfort zones could trigger a panic attack.

Agoraphobics are usually afraid of panic attacks or a single symptom of panic attack to strike while they are in public. The fear of such embarrassment is seen as the main trigger for this phobia which in turn triggers and feeds the panic attack and its symptoms.

Agoraphobia causes the sufferer to experience high anxiety or panic attacks even when they attempt to carry out normal tasks if these tasks require them to be away from people or places of safety.

Agoraphobics are sometimes divided into two groups: The first group includes Agoraphobics with a history of panic disorders. The second group includes Agoraphobics without such history. Yet most people who are Agoraphobic belong to the group with the history of panic disorder.

There is a school of thought that says that all anxiety related disorders lie in one place. This place is called the Amygdala. The Amygdala is a small organ in the subconscious brain. This organ is said to be responsible for many emotional decisions including the anxiety response.
There are programs that are based on the above belief and they treat Agoraphobia by treating the sufferer from anxiety in general rather treating the specific anxiety type which is in this case Agoraphobia.

Such programs believe that general anxiety is the source of such types of anxiety and therefore, prefer to treat the source and not the branch.

Understanding Agoraphobia or any anxiety disorder does not mean that we have become experts and that we can make our own diagnosis. If we suspect that we or someone close to us might have symptoms that might indicate such a disorder what we need to do is immediately seek professional help to get an accurate diagnosis.

Then what we can do is speed up our own recovery by introducing ourselves to different natural approaches that have been tried and proved to have effective results. Even then we need to consult with and inform our doctor with the approach that we intend to take so that we don’t hinder our recovery with contradicting approaches.

Agoraphobia comes from Greek words meaning “marketplace” and “fear.” Agoraphobia, characterized by a person’s fear of fear, is actually a form of social anxiety disorder. People avoid specific circumstances that offer no chance of escape when diagnosed with agoraphobia. In addition, diagnosed patients also avoid places such as malls, airports and markets, especially when these places are large and unfamiliar. In most cases agoraphobia patients see their home as the only “safe place,” restricting their activity.

Although agoraphobia’s main causes are still widely unknown, this disease is generally linked to stressful environments, substance abuse and generalized anxiety disorder. Agoraphobia treatment often includes a gradual treatment of drug dependence and also a period of abstinence, while the regular use of sleeping pills such as benzodiapines and tranquilizers can actually exacerbate the situation. Frequent panic attacks also characterize persons with agoraphobia, wherein restrictions from interacting with other people are made to stop panic attacks.

Common agoraphobia symptoms

When one is diagnosed with agoraphobia, not only does that person worries about panic attacks. Other symptoms include:

• Fear of being alone in public
• Fear of crowds
• Fear of restricted places such as elevators
• Overdependence on other people
• Helplessness feelings
• Panic attack symptoms such as chest pains, fast heartbeat rate,  breathing difficulties, nausea, dizziness, excessive sweating and flushing

Consulting a doctor helps

Agoraphobia seriously affects your ability to socialize with other people, routine activities, or even your job. The quality of your life and then lives of your loved ones, like your family or your partner would also be affected. Truly, agoraphobia is a serious medical condition.

Whenever you suffer from agoraphobia, most likely, you will become a prisoner right at your own home. Patients suffering from agoraphobia would rarely leave their safe zone, for it is common for them to anticipate the coming of panic attacks. Places to socialize would become fewer and fewer, trapping the patient in a vicious cycle.

Anxiety and depression can also result from agoraphobia; due to the fact that it severely limits your association with other people, while limiting your daily activities. Also, most patients are even tempted to take substances in order for them to escape from the difficult realities of having this disease. Overcoming depression and stopping panic attacks may be very difficult task when agoraphobia treatment is not sought.

Things that you can do

It is understandable that consulting a professional would be a very difficult experience for people suffering from agoraphobia. Following are helpful steps to be done:

• Take note of the presence of symptoms experienced
• Pay attention in documenting experiences that have induced great stress or that have changed your life
• Diagnosed physical and mental health conditions should always be recorded
• In cases of appointment with professionals, the company of trusted family members would greatly help, giving you valuable moral and informational support
• Do not be afraid of asking questions when on appointment