It is a common misconception that agoraphobia is the fear of open places. Understanding what being agoraphobic really is requires one to look at what anxiety disorder drives it, and how it manifests in the sufferer.
Agoraphobia is actually the fear of being trapped. Specifically the fear of being trapped in a place where there is no immediate escape. The continuous ebb and flow of crowds in our modern society often creates many places where there would seem to be no easy way out. This is a large burden on the agoraphobic. Many who live a life of isolation and fear.
By current estimates,well over 6 million Americans suffer with panic disorder. This disorder is twice as likely to affect women as men. In addition panic disorders are usually linked to depression to some degree.
The experience of unexplained and erratic panic attacks is the hallmark of Panic Disorder. These attacks can last for several minutes. Panic attacks are triggered by various events. For many people just being in crowded or noisy places can trigger a panic attack. One in three people who suffer with panic disorder will develop agoraphobia according to current estimates.
The symptoms of Panic attacks are very disturbing for the sufferer. Many of these symptoms can mimic a heart attack, with chest pain, difficulty breathing, and heart palpitations. An impending sense of doom is almost always present. There is often also a heightened sence of confusion which can result in the feelings of depersonalization which is a sence of unreality. It is easy to understand why anyone would want to avoid the possibility of a panic attack altogether.
Agoraphobia can develop when attacks are triggered by specific locations or certain social situations. When the fear of another panic attack is powerful enough this fear can create a permanent and irresistable need to create a security zone. This security zone will get smaller for the agoraphobic as new panic attacks occur. This creates the need to further isolate themselves from the outside world.
Some will begin this descent into agoraphobia by laying out safe routes to specific locations, a specific path to school, or down to the local market. The agoraphobic will not deviate from this routine for fear of setting off another panic attack. The prospect of shutting out the outside world is an unhealthy temptation.
People living with agoraphobia are constantly on their guard against being vulnerable. This usually spells disaster for the sufferer as their interactions with society at large shrink from their neighborhood, to their house, and often ultimately to a single room. Many agoraphobics become house bound loosing complete touch with reality.
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Tags: anxiety attack treatment, anxiety attacks, coping with panic and anxiety, panic and anxiety, Panic attacks, stop panic attacks
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