Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a manifestation of anxiety disorder that causes the sufferer to experience high anxiety or panic attacks when attempting to carry out normal tasks away from a person of safety or a place of safety. The clinical definition of agoraphobia is a fear of situations or places “from which escape might be difficult or in which help may not be available in the event” of a panic attack.
The beginnings of Agoraphobia may be after a panic attack in an automobile on a crowded highway or in a department store 3 days before Christmas. An individual can experience such a sudden panic attack with no “apparent” rhyme or reason that they make a visit to the emergency room believing they have had a heart attack.
The root cause of any number of mild or severe anxiety disorders lies in the Amygdala. The Amygdala is a small organ in the subconscious brain responsible for many emotional decisions icluding the anxiety response. The Amygdala becomes “re-set” when life circumstances cause it to release anxious responses repeatedly. Because of the continual and repeated anxiety reponses, this small gland learns to become inappropriately anxious.
Many have described Agoraphobia as the fear of open spaces. This definition is incorrect. Agoraphobia is ANY anxiety reaction which results from an individual’s geographic location when it is other than the safety of home, or some other familiar place.
Avoidance of being away from that safe place may begin and end with only one situation, or it might escalate until a person is completely homebound. Even being homebound is not the answer because they also may have extreme difficulty being alone. On the other hand, some people with agoraphobia are able to go into phobic situations as long as someone is with them.
April 14th, 2008 at 2:26 am
I have agoraphobia also and it sucks Ive had it for 3 years now and it doesnt seem to be lightening up anytime soon.
James
http://www.anxiety-agoraphobia.com
April 15th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
James, I’m sorry you’re going through that. I think it’s great that you’re sharing about it on your website though and it may help someone else.
May 8th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
im looking for people in my area, with agoraphobia. im live near 90808 in long beach
trackstar5492 yahoo
i have had this for 7 years
July 31st, 2008 at 9:18 am
I wonder what category Agoraphobia falls under. I mean, certainly it’s a form of panic. But it’s also a phobia of the outside world at the same time.
I have to say, I think people who suffer from Agoraphobia don’t really care WHAT category they’re in. They just want to not feel afraid anymore.
My advice to those out there with agoraphobia is this…
Your mind will come up with reasons why it believes only a certain area is safe and another is not. Those reasons range from being near the phone or people you trust to having familiar physical surroundings to reassure you.
The truth is, anywhere you are is equally safe. The anxiety in your mind is the only thing that distinguishes a place as bad or good, fun or miserable, happy or sad.
Controlling the anxiety will change your perspective on the world around you and you will see all places as being equally comfortable.
It all starts with babysteps…
-taking your dog for a walk in your front yard.
-having a cup of tea in your backyard.
-going outside in the morning to get the paper
-getting a cup of coffee at a quickie mart nearby.
All these little acts of courage add up. Take 1 risk everyday to start overcoming your agoraphobia.
For more info on overcoming your anxiety, check out:
http://www.Stop-Anxiety-Panic-Attack.com