Things You Need To Know About Agoraphobia
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010Traditionally considered as the fear of open spaces and public places, agoraphobia is widely considered a fear-based anxiety disorder. A person who has this type of disorder is often very fearful of the possibility of not being able to escape from a situation or a place in case of a panic attack. This fear then causes the person with agoraphobia to avoid places or situations that may cause him problems with escape incase a panic attack ensures.
People with agoraphobia, in general, have a hard time staying in public places because they feel that such places are not safe. Common places and situations that agoraphobics try to avoid include sporting events, shopping malls, elevators, lines, bridges and public transportation vehicles. The only place where they feel truly secured is their home, thus more often than not, they become trapped.
{Symptoms}
The most common symptoms of agoraphobia include fear of being alone, of losing control in a public place or situation, of being trapped in a small space, of losing one’s sense of self control, of fear of crowded and public places, a sense that the body is unreal, and overdependence on other people.
In addition to these are the symptoms commonly associated with panic attacks. These include symptoms like dizziness, light headedness, vomiting, upset stomach or diarrhea, trouble swallowing, flushing, sense of dying, rapid heart beating and feelings similar to having a heart attack.
{Causes}
As of now, the exact causes of this condition are not known although theories are often used by clinicians to explain the cause.
It has long been thought that the condition is linked with the presence of other anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and stressful environments. Use of certain substances such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills are also known to cause the condition.
There are people, especially those who have anxiety disorders, who start to develop agoraphobia once they come to associate specific environments with the onset of the symptoms.
Rarely does this condition develop without an accompanying disorder. If agoraphobia seems to have developed by itself, the exact cause is not known.
{Risk Factors}
In the U.S., it has been estimated that about 1 to 5% of the population will develop this condition sometime in their life. Women are more likely to develop this condition than men. And although older adults and young children may show signs of agoraphobia, late adolescents and early adults are more prone to developing this type of anxiety disorder.
Although experts are still not quite sure as to what truly causes this condition, there are risk factors that increase certain people’s chances of developing the condition. These include having previously experienced a panic attack, stressful experience during childhood such as sexual or physical abuse, alcohol or substance abuse, tendency to be anxious or nervous and being female.
{When To Seek Medical Attention}
The following conditions warrant medical attention:
When the severity of the condition calls for the use of medication.
If the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with personal, professional and social life.
When you have experienced the majority or all of the classic signs and symptoms of the condition.
If you start experiencing suicidal and homicidal thoughts because of your agoraphobia.
