Agoraphobia Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

There are several aspects of life that contribute to an extreme nervousness associated with a certain space. Some people might fear using elevators, while some may fear getting into a train. You might have encountered some cases, where some of your friends or acquaintances refuse to go to a garden or a cinema hall, for no particular reason. Often, they will say, "I somehow feel uncomfortable going there." Going to a certain place makes some people vulnerable for no apparent reason. All these are cases of agoraphobia. People affected by this anxiety-disorder tend to avoid crowded places. Examples of such places are elevators, shopping malls, airplanes, and parking lot.

Understanding Agoraphobia and its Causes

Sometimes, this fear can lead to shunning external interactions and limiting the movement within a house. Overcoming this phobia is a challenge, as it essentially involves facing your fears head-on. Agoraphobic people believe that if they get into an uncomfortable situation like a sports stadium, it would be highly embarrassing to leave the place on their own. The moment a person suffering from this condition lands up in a phobic place, he experiences a panic attack, and gets traumatized.

People affected find it difficult to operate beyond their comfort zone. They fear getting panicky in certain places and it is this fear of panic that causes the disorder. It affects twice the number of women than men. It is more prevalent in reserved and troubled or unstable people and places like a tribal region or a war-affected zone. In America, less than 1% of the population is affected. There is rarely a case, in which a person is not affected by panic or anxiety disorder and yet suffers from agoraphobia. The independent prevalence of the disease is still a matter of speculation and under study.

Symptoms and Vulnerability of Agoraphobia

It is found to severely impair a person's ability to socialize, get along with family or friends, work or even complete small errands. The following symptoms may be a sign

• A sense of being lost or helpless
• Fear or inability to leave the house
• A greater dependency on others for many tasks
• Feeling 'unreal' or as if you don't exist
• Feeling lightheaded
• Dizziness accompanied by nausea
• Increased heartbeat or chest pain
• Trouble while breathing and swallowing
• Feeling shaky or having an upset stomach

Treatment for Agoraphobia

This phobia can be treated by certain medications, and through behavioral and cognitive therapy. Ideally, in most cases, a combination of both these factors is found to be an effective solution. 'Graduated exposure therapy' is one method of treatment, in which a person is purposely kept away from the feared location. Once this phase of relaxation is over, he is slowly exposed to his fears. For example, if sitting in a stadium is what you fear, you will be shown videos of a stadium followed by a brisk tour to an empty stadium, and gradually, to a weekend game and so on. There are some medications which provide instant relief but their use can be limited because of their side-effects. Music therapy, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicines, and religious practices are some techniques that work wonders in getting rid of this anxiety.

Ultimately, a balanced and healthy lifestyle, a positive attitude and a confident approach will keep agoraphobia at bay.