Latest Health Forum Topics:

  • is oolong tea the same as wu long tea? (5 posts)
  • Do cavities always get worse even if taken care of? cuz I can't get to a dentist...? (6 posts)
  • why would I sneeze after being sick in the hospital? (3 posts)
  • what should i do? (9 posts)
  • Bates method of eye excerises ? (3 posts)
  • How old were you the first time you had intercourse? I was 16.? (16 posts)
  • Do the foods you eat effect the smell of semen? (7 posts)
  • what is a papsmear for & how is it done? (3 posts)
  • Can anyone recommend medication to combat fear of flying? (21 posts)
  • stomach problems...what could the cause be? (4 posts)
  • Teaching abstinance in schools... does it lower rates of STD's? (7 posts)
  • help me, my life is a mess? (6 posts)
  • Do you have to keep condoms in the cold? or warm? or what? (9 posts)
  • What is a tissue located in the hypodermis subcutaneous? (4 posts)
  • question about HIV/AIDS? (7 posts)
  •  

    About Agoraphobia

    Agoraphobia: What It Is and What You Can Do About It

    Agoraphobia, translated roughly from Greek, literally means 'fear of the marketplace.' In the past, it was believed to be the debilitating fear of open spaces and public places. As more studies and research have shown, it's now cosidered as a result of continued episodes of panic attacks.

    Agoraphobia often outcomes when a person becomes extremely fearful of being trapped in a place or situation from which he cannot escape. He might also believe that escaping from that situation may prove to be hard or that he may not be able to find help.

    As a result, a person with agoraphobia begins to shun public places where there are too a lot people. He might also find it too constricting to ride buses, airplanes, cars and trains. In its severe form, agoraphobia may also keep a person from stepping out of his home, the only place where he feels safest.

    Agoraphobia and panic disorder

    Agoraphobia is the result of a panic disorder that has remained untreated, ignored or misdiagnosed. A panic disorder is the result of continued episodes of panic attacks, where a person suffers from profound discomfort and feelings of extreme fear.

    Panic attacks can also eventuate without a warning and affects about one-third of the adult population annually. It may either eventuate in isolation or as a result of another disorder such as depression, anxiety or social phobia. Unlike anxiety, panic attacks can only last for a short while, usually 20-30 minutes.

    Agoraphobia does not eventuate by itself. It usually makes its first looks within 12 months of the recurrence of various episodes of panic attacks. In fact, one out of three people who suffer from panic disorder have a high likelihood of developing agoraphobia. Agoraphobia, like panic disorder, is usually a incessant condition.

    Symptoms of agoraphobia

    Agoraphobia sufferers experience various symptoms all at once, including heart palpitations or increased heart rate, shortness of breath, numbness, dizziness, chest pain, trembling, sweating, extreme hot or cold, feelings of losing control, going crazy or dying.

    While some episodes of agoraphobia can eventuate without warning, being in certain situations can trigger an attack. People who suffer from agoraphobia are actually afraid they might have a panic attack. If they are stuck in a situation where escape or aid may prove hard or awkward such as parties, crowded shopping malls or subways, they become more agitated and their feeling of panic swells.

    To avoid the feeling of being 'trapped', people with agoraphobia stay away from public places. This is not because they are afraid of public places per se, but because they do not want to suffer from a panic attack while in those locations. To feel safe, they instead keep to familiar places, such as their homes or insist in having the constant company of a trusted person.

    Treatments for Agoraphobia

    The the bulk common treatments for agoraphobia are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or medication. A combination of both may also be used in certain cases. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that is also used to treat other mental disorders. As a treatment, CBT involves altering a patient's thinking patterns so he can manage and handle his fears.

    Patients are taught to comprehend what agoraphobia is and to accept that the feelings of panic are normal, in spite of amplified. Certain patterns of automatic thinking and behavior during an episode of agoraphobia may also be altered to aid the patient cope should one occur.

    To aid patients handle their reactions, they are also taught to control their breathing as part of coping skills. CBT also involves exposing a patient to situations or incidents that usually trigger agoraphobia. CBT as a treatment is quite successful, helping about 85% of panic attack patients recover after only about 10 sessions.

    Medication usually involves either anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs. Anti-depressants serve to alleviate or perfectly prevent episodes of panic attacks, although they usually commence to take effect only after various weeks. Anti-anxiety drugs, on the other hand, are rapid acting and can produce a calming effect in less than an hour.

    Therapies used for Agoraphobia
    Other forms of treatments and therapies to address and remove agoraphobia include family therapy, group therapy using CBT and relaxation processes using meditation. Depending on the severity of the patient's mental condition, a combination of various treatments may be used to produce the desired effect.

    Sponsored Ads:

    Related Articles:

    Also In This Category:

    Currently Online :

    4 member(s), 19 guest(s):
    CheeseCake, Green, SplitDog, Victory, Baiduspider+, Crawler, Google, Archive.org, MSN.com, Slurp, Speedy Spider

    Search :

    No comments yet
    Categories: A Child’s Guide to Elderca Calories Dyslexia Metabolism Raising An Autistic Child Childhood Vaccines Hearing Loss Overcome Alcoholism Epilepsy Overcoming Addictions Skin Rejuvenation Stretch Marks Overcoming Addiction Looking Thin Coconut Oil Slipped Disc The Telltale Signs Staying Healthy and Living It Trichotillomania Exercise Yoga Exercise and Body Type Headaches Natural Cures Holistic Medicine Hair Transplantation Antioxidants Complementary Medicine Sleep Physical Therapy Managing Diabetes Treadmills Smoking and Alcohol Holistic Vs Conventional Green Tea Panic Attacks Cellulite Lose Fat Insomnia Congestive Heart Blemishes Sinus Infections Traditional Chinese Medicine Top Health Concerns Today Healthy Living Hearing Aids Hematology Herniated Disc Irritable Bowel Syndrome Losing Weight Medical Billing Mental Health Nursing Nursing Assistant Nursing School Obesity pH Miracle Diet Stopping Snoring Toothache & Tooth Care Wart Removal Weight Loss Allegra Alternative Medicine Alzheimer Anxiety Aqua Chi Bed Bugs Body Detox Bronchitis Cancer Cataract Low Cholesterol Cholesterol Collagen Contact Lenses Dental Assistant Dieting Disability Drugs Healthy You Herbal Cures Stop Smoking Healthy Eating Hot Sheet Hoodia Insomnia Whitening Teeth Wheelchairs Sweating Snoring Sleep Disorder Rhinoplasty Rehabilitation Panic Attacks Nutrition Microdermabrasion Menopause Liver Detox Liposuction Laser Removal