Do You Feel Nervous And Scared In Public Places? Is It Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia refers to fear of being in open or public places that are incorporated with anxiety-provoking events. Agoraphobia is a condition that is developed from an intense internal anxiety condition that give rise to repeated panic attacks. It may also be characterized as an anxiety disorder in the form of fear that is caused by exposure to crowds or uncontrolled social conditions. A person suffering from agoraphobia may feel afraid & insecure in public places. Such situations will increase the fear & anxiety level giving rise to uncontrollable fear. It may become very difficult to the agoraphobics to deal with such kinds of fear. The agoraphobic will avoid heading to open & public places because of the fear of getting panic attacks. It is all about struggling & reacting with internal emotional conflicts. Agoraphobics generally avoid public transportations, churches, theatres, elevators or sporting events & crowded areas. This phobia can rise to such extent that people may feel they cannot leave their homes. The panic attacks occur randomly without any warning triggers.

People suffering from agoraphobia may develop intense fear, disorientation, rapid heart beats, depression, fatigue, tension, obsessive disorders & alcohol & drug abuse problems. Agoraphobics are not really afraid of open spaces; rather they are afraid of having panicky feelings that can create scene in front of people.

There are several treatments that are available to deal with the problem of agoraphobia.

1. For Agoraphobics it is very essential to follow doctor’s prescription. There are several selective medications in the form of anti-anxiety & anti depressants are available. Medicines like serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft are also available. Trycyclic anti depressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors are also very effective. Anti-anxiety medicines like Klonopin and Xanax are also very powerful medications that help treating this phobia. These medications should be taken as directed.
2. For treating agoraphobia psychotherapy treatments involving cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) are also available. These sessions helps the patient by providing techniques that can help to overcome fear of public places. It also provides lessons on managing anxiety levels with some relaxation techniques. This will lower the effects of panic attacks in severe cases. These therapies are more focused to exposing the patients to all the factors that develops fear in their mind. Exposure to such key factors will help them to overcome the stress that is caused by the fear.
3. Other method to overcome with the panic attacks may include systematic desensitization (SD). It involves gradual exposure to anxiety or events induced with phobia. It is practiced by imagining the situation that can develop anxiety & dealing with the panic attacks that can cause anxiety. It is followed by deep breath & learn to relax. Make yourself comfortable by thinking about the situations of anxiety and then try to cope up with the situation. This practice of facing the events of fear will build a resistance barrier to the anxiety that you feel about a particular situation.
4. Make yourself complete with a support system. A support system plays a very important role in tackling with the situations that can cause anxiety. Your friends & family members know you better; they will encourage you to face the situations of anxiety. A perfect support system will help to make you feel comfortable and simultaneously motivate you to overcome the phobia.
5. Treating agoraphobia is a long term process. Keep consistency with your treatments, it will help you to follow the routine course & will cure you faster.

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