Cure For Agoraphobia? What is it and What Can Be Done?
Frightened to leave the house alone? Terrified of going to the shops or taking a bus? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then you may be looking for a cure for agoraphobia.
Agoraphobia used to simply be thought of as a fear of open spaces, as sufferers were generally happier indoors.
More recently it has become widely accepted that it is usually an extension of chronic anxiety and panic disorder where sufferers tend to avoid situations that are likely to bring on their symptoms.
In panic disorder this is likely to include public transport, shops, and any public gathering.
Anxiety about an attack happening leads to avoidance of these types of places, and often many more that may hold memories of a previous attack.
Over time self-confidence is eroded and a sufferer prefers to spend time within the relative safety of their own house, afraid and anxious that a panic attack will follow if they venture outside.
The following gives an overview of what types of treatment are on offer.
*Tablets.
Medications can often relieve some of the acute symptoms enough to allow the necessary visits to the doctor or therapist for ongoing care.
In themselves they are unlikely to effect a cure.
*Natural methods such as relaxation techniques, yoga and meditation.
*Psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy involves spending time with a therapist who will teach you to understand the link between your thoughts and the experience of symptoms.
Exposure therapy involves the experience of panic symptoms within a controlled and safe environment to allow a sufferer to understand what is happening and face the feared situation until the panic reduces and disappears.
Agoraphobia used to simply be thought of as a fear of open spaces, as sufferers were generally happier indoors.
More recently it has become widely accepted that it is usually an extension of chronic anxiety and panic disorder where sufferers tend to avoid situations that are likely to bring on their symptoms.
In panic disorder this is likely to include public transport, shops, and any public gathering.
Anxiety about an attack happening leads to avoidance of these types of places, and often many more that may hold memories of a previous attack.
Over time self-confidence is eroded and a sufferer prefers to spend time within the relative safety of their own house, afraid and anxious that a panic attack will follow if they venture outside.
The following gives an overview of what types of treatment are on offer.
*Tablets.
Medications can often relieve some of the acute symptoms enough to allow the necessary visits to the doctor or therapist for ongoing care.
In themselves they are unlikely to effect a cure.
*Natural methods such as relaxation techniques, yoga and meditation.
*Psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy involves spending time with a therapist who will teach you to understand the link between your thoughts and the experience of symptoms.
Exposure therapy involves the experience of panic symptoms within a controlled and safe environment to allow a sufferer to understand what is happening and face the feared situation until the panic reduces and disappears.
