Do you experience an irrational and often disabling fear of being out in public or do you become anxious if you even think about being trapped in a situation where it might be difficult to leave from? You probably suffer from agoraphobia.

Agoraphobia is an abnormal and persistent fear of public places or open areas, especially those from which escape could be difficult or help not be immediately accessible. Persons with agoraphobia frequently also suffer from panic disorder. They also characteristically avoid the situations which bring them anxiety or panic.

Agoraphobia is highly variable in severity. People with mild agoraphobia often live normal lives by avoiding anxiety-provoking situations. But, in the most severe cases, the victims may be incapacitated and homebound.

Symptoms

Among the signs and symptoms of agoraphobia are:

      • Fear of crowded places and, at the other extreme, the fear of being alone. You are afraid to leave home on your own.
      • Depending on others to go out. You feel helpless and not in control. In fact, you fear losing control, especially in a public place. You need a quick escape.
      • Avoiding people and situations. You endure great fear and stress when you do go out and fear having a panic attack.
      • To experience faintness, dizziness, chest pain, sweating, rapid heart and trouble breathing. These symptoms can be frightening as they can appear to be a serious medical condition.

Treatment

As with many other mental disorders, agoraphobia treatment typically includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Treatment of agoraphobia is usually successful.

Medications

Antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications are commonly used to treat agoraphobia and panic symptoms. You may have to try several different medications before you find one that works best for you.

Psychotherapy

Several types of psychotherapy or counselling can help agoraphobia. One common therapy used is cognitive behavioural therapy. This therapy has two parts. The cognitive portion involves learning more about agoraphobia and panic attacks and how to control them. You learn what factors may trigger a panic attack or panic-like symptoms, and what makes them worse. You also learn how to cope with distressing symptoms, such as using breathing and relaxation techniques.

The behavioural portion of cognitive behavioural therapy involves changing unwanted or unhealthy behaviours through desensitisation, sometimes called exposure therapy. This technique helps you safely confront the places and situations that cause fear and anxiety. A therapist may accompany you on excursions to help you remain safe and comfortable, such as trips to the mall or driving your car. Through gradually practising going to feared places, people with agoraphobia learn that the fears don’t come true and that their anxiety goes away with time.

If you have trouble leaving your home, you may wonder how you can possibly venture out to a therapist’s office. Therapists who treat agoraphobia will be well aware of this problem. They may offer initial appointments in your home, or they may meet you in one of your safe zones. They may also offer some sessions over the phone or through e-mail. Look for a therapist who can help you find alternatives to in-office appointments, at least in the early part of your treatment. You may also try taking a trusted relative or friend along to your appointment, if needed.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EWP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about agoraphobia.