Agoraphobia

“Soon I’ll have to leave my room.  An easy quest you would assume.  So why can’t I remove this dread and ease the panic in my head.” – Jessa 

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder.   It is defined as a deep dark fear of being outside or otherwise being in a situation from which one either cannot escape or from which escaping would be difficult or humiliating.  As a result, sufferers of agoraphobia avoid public and/or unfamiliar places, especially large, open spaces from which they cannot easily escape if they have a panic attack.  In severe cases, the sufferer may become confined to the safe haven of their home.

Agoraphobia occurs in a relatively small percentage of the population and is often found in combination with panic disorder.  As with many other mental disorders, agoraphobia is usually caused by a number of factors and tends to run in families.  It tends to occur more often in individuals who have several different physical conditions as well.

People with agoraphobia often have a hard time feeling safe in any public place, especially where crowds gather.  The fears can be so overwhelming that they may be essentially trapped in their own home.  It can severely limit your ability to socialize, work, and manage the details of daily life, such as running errands.  Agoraphobia can also lead to depression and anxiety. It is not uncommon for people with agoraphobia to turn to alcohol or substance abuse to help cope with the fear, guilt, hopelessness, isolation and loneliness that can accompany this disorder.

Agoraphobia usually begins to show symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40, and is about twice as common in women as in men.  Although the exact causes of agoraphobia are currently unknown, the onset of the condition has been linked to the presence of other anxiety disorders as well as the chronic use of tranquilizers.

Common symptoms of agoraphobia include:

  • Fear of being in places where it may be hard to leave
  • Inability to leave your house for long periods of time
  • Fear of being alone in any situation
  • Fear of losing control in a public place
  • Sense of helplessness
  • Fear of being in crowded places

Individuals suffering from agoraphobia may also have symptoms similar to panic attacks which can include:

  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Flushing
  • Excessive sweating
  • Nausea
  • Difficulty breathing

Agoraphobia is often diagnosed when patients seek treatment for other medical or emotional problems rather than as the main reason for seeking care.  Treatment should be started when the signs and symptoms of the associated anxiety are not easily or quickly relieved.  There are a variety of effective medications used in the treatment of agoraphobia.  The most commonly used are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta blockers.  Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy have been found to the most effective psychotherapy models.  Several studies have demonstrated that a combination of medication and cognitive behavior therapy is the most effective treatment for agoraphobia.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is a national network founded in 1980 to promote the diagnosis and treatment of all anxiety and related disorders including agoraphobia.   They have available a state-by-state listing of local support groups, brochures, and local listings of healthcare professionals providing treatment.  They can be contacted at:
Anxiety Disorder Association of America
8730 Georgia Ave., Suite 600
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone:  240-485-1001
Website: http://www.adaa.org
If left untreated, agoraphobia often worsens to the point where the person’s life is seriously affected by the disease itself and/or by attempts to avoid or conceal it.  Agoraphobia treatment can be very difficult as it means confronting your fears.  But with medications and psychotherapy, you can escape the trap of agoraphobia and live a more enjoyable life.  Please, do not let agoraphobia make your world smaller.  Call your doctor and get help if you have symptoms of this tragic disorder.