It is hard to believe, but many live with this disorder, confronted daily with their fears, however ... Do you know what its causes are? How does agoraphobia manifest? Can you understand that your friends or loved ones suffer from agoraphobia? How to beat agoraphobia? How to deal with fear of leaving home? How to live with agoraphobia?
[Agoraphobia] (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoraphobia) is fear and avoidance of crowded places, fear of leaving home.
The cause of agoraphobia is the experience experienced with increased anxiety or panic attacks.
Generally, agoraphobia means fear of being in places or situations that can be difficult or inconvenient to get out of, or where timely assistance cannot be provided in case of a panic attack or similar symptoms: dizziness, falls, heart attack, sweating, discharge, or vomiting.
However, it is still necessary to distinguish agoraphobia from a phobia of open spaces. With the latter, a person is afraid of falling or injuring himself outdoors, so when walking, he clings to the wall, leaning on it.
How to determine agoraphobia? Symptoms and manifestations
It is characteristic of agoraphobia that a person who suffers from it experiences and fears beforehand, which prevents them from leading a normal lifestyle. Below, we will talk about the signs that may indicate that you or your loved one are prone to this phobia.
Agoraphobia signs and symptoms:
1. Avoid frightening situations
People with agoraphobia, by all means and at all costs, are trying to avoid terrifying situations, and this is one of the first symptoms of this phobia.
As a general rule, these people avoid going to the movies and theaters, supermarkets and department stores, elevators, traveling by train and bus, walking on the street, they are afraid of being away from home and being alone in an empty apartment, and they even have afraid to drive a car or just go. by car.
2. Protective behavior
Often suffering from agoraphobia, trying to hide from unavoidable situations (eg going to the doctor), apply "protective behavior" to prevent or manage the threat associated with anxiety / panic that this situation causes.
This behavior produces a short-term effect, but does not resolve the problem. Be careful with this!
3. Premature anxiety
Agoraphobes constantly think that they can survive a panic attack or experience great anxiety, while fearing the physical sensations of such states associated with anxiety (they are afraid to start sweating, trembling, suffocating, etc.)
4. Fear of fear or phophobia.
Agoraphobes are afraid of all situations that, in their opinion, can cause feelings of anxiety or panic attacks.
When they leave home, they experience fever, fatigue, stress, hunger, etc. Each of these feelings causes great fear, because it can be a precursor to a panic attack.
Fear of a panic attack causes certain physical reactions, such as weakness in the extremities, muscle tension, blurred vision, lumps in the throat or stomach, sweating, etc. ...
5. Panic attacks and similar symptoms.
Most agoraphobia sufferers have already experienced panic attacks.
A panic attack is characterized by extreme fear and discomfort, accompanied by a sense of danger and the need to escape.
The most common symptoms: palpitations, dizziness, a person starts to sweat and gasp, tremble, fear going crazy or losing control. Find out how you can relax when something bothers you. In addition to how to cheer up.
Panic attacks vary by person. They differ in frequency, intensity, duration, somatic reactions, circumstances, and thoughts associated with them.
How to get rid of agoraphobia?
First of all, you must understand that if a person suffers from a prolonged, chronic agoraphobia, they must first of all see a specialist, who will prescribe the correction and the appropriate treatment depending on each case. For the treatment of agoraphobia and related panic attacks, drug therapy and psychotherapy are used. Commonly used methods of cognitive behavioral therapy.
At the first early signs of agoraphobia, use the following tips and tricks to relax and take control:
- Find a comfortable place in the house and do self-training.
- Try muscle relaxation techniques and mindful meditation to relieve anxiety and stress.
- "Push away" negative thoughts. Try to think realistically.
- Seek the support of your family and friends.
If the recommendations do not help and the situation worsens, contact a qualified specialist immediately for help.
https://mipsicologa.es/2019/11/21/agorafobia-que-es-sintomas-y-tratamiento/
https://www.webconsultas.com/mente-y-emociones/trastornos-mentales/causas-de-la-agorafobia-8629