Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder where a person fears and avoids places or situations in which they might not be able to escape or find help, causing them to feel trapped, helpless, or embarrassed. They often avoid these situations due to the fear of having a panic attack or experiencing other anxiety symptoms. Some individuals may have panic disorder in addition to agoraphobia. Individuals with agoraphobia often have a hard time feeling safe in any public space. 

Some common symptoms of agoraphobia include: 

• Fear of public transportation (e.g. bus, train, plane, car) 
• Fear of being in open spaces (e.g. fields, parks, malls) 
• Fear of being in enclosed spaces (e.g. elevators, tunnels, movie theaters)
• Fear of crowds or waiting in line 
• Fear of leaving the house alone 
• Needing a companion in a feared situation 
• Avoiding feared situations 
• The fear experienced is out of proportion to the situation 

When faced with feared situations, individuals with agoraphobia will often have symptoms of a panic attack such as rapid heartbeat, nausea, dizziness, or sweating. The fear experienced can be so overwhelming that individuals may feel scared to leave their home, resulting in disruptions to social, work, and other domains of functioning. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most common form of psychotherapy that is used to treat individuals with agoraphobia. CBT can help individuals understand distorted thoughts associated with the feared situation and teach individuals how to regain a sense of control over their environment. Additionally, exposure therapy has been found to be helpful for individuals suffering from agoraphobia as being slowly exposed to feared situations over time may help diminish fear. 

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, please contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help.