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Step 1
Understand the common misconceptions about agoraphobia. It is not necessarily a fear of crowded places or open spaces, although these conditions can trigger an attack if the sufferer feels out of control or unsafe. More specifically, agoraphobia is a fear of venturing too far from a particular comfort zone and consequently losing control of a situation.
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Step 2
Know that agoraphobics are not necessarily loners. Many welcome people into their homes and actually enjoy their company without experiencing panic attacks. As long as an agoraphobia sufferer maintains control of a situation, she is fine.
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Step 3
Consult a doctor or therapist to begin treatment of agoraphobia. Expect one of the recommendations to be a gradual exposure to the outside world. The professional may use various forms of treatment to aid in this process. Talk therapy or another form of psychotherapy is often used, and an anti-anxiety medication or anti-depressant may also be prescribed.
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Step 4
Seek out a health professional that will make house calls during the initial stages of treatment. Professionals who specialize in the treatment of agoraphobia realize that this can be a very important factor for the severe agoraphobic and are usually quite willing to accommodate the patient.
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Step 5
Consider non-traditional forms of treatment. Many people have learned to control their panic attacks by practicing meditation and yoga. Still others have had success with hypnosis, acupressure and acupuncture.
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Step 6
Maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, get plenty of rest and try to exercise daily. This will contribute to an overall sense of well-being and as a result, you will feel more empowered to deal with the treatment of agoraphobia.
