How to Overcome Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder brought on by fear of places especially those that may be challenging to leave quickly. For many agoraphobiacs, leaving the house causes intense fear. Symptoms of agoraphobia include a feeling of helplessness, a fear of public places, and depersonalization. Sometimes just thinking about having a panic attack in a public area can bring on an intense amount of anxiety. To overcome agoraphobia, follow the steps below.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. To overcome agoraphobia, become willing to acknowledge past abuse. Many agoraphobiacs experienced trauma especially during childhood and adolescence. Be willing to remember and face past traumas. Once an agoraphobiac works on healing past traumas, the real source of their fear, panic attacks should become less frequent and eventually subside.

2. Acknowledge that panic attacks are not serious illnesses. It may seem as though a person is having a heart attack or may start fainting from dizziness especially when leaving his or her home; however, this is rarely the case. Most panic attacks mimic life threatening illnesses, but the feelings always wane. Accepting and acknowledging the panic attacks will help release a lot of anxiety. Constantly reaffirming that death is very unlikely from a panic attack will also help relieve anxiety.

3. Take baby steps outside every day to overcome agoraphobia. Start by standing outside the door for a moment. Then start walking a little farther each day. Set distance goals for leaving the home.

4. Make an appointment to see a psychiatrist to overcome agoraphobia. There are medications and different types of behavioral and cognitive therapies to help people overcome agoraphobia.

5. Start writing a journal to get over agoraphobia. Make sure to take specific notes about your feelings. Writing about panic attacks will help you address the unresolved conflicts and issues that are the foundation of agoraphobia.

6. Connect with others who suffer from agoraphobia online. Google search for agoraphobia forums and chat rooms. If possible, start attending group therapy for people who suffer from panic attacks and/or agoraphobia.

7. Don't feel ashamed about agoraphobia.

8. Check out hypnosis for agoraphobia. Many people have improved symptoms of agoraphobia through hypnosis.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid alcohol. Drinking may increase symptoms of agoraphobia.
• Women are more prone to agoraphobia.
• If you are feeling suicidal, contact a doctor immediately.

Resources

• Mayo Clinic - Agoraphobia
• Medicine Net - Agoraphobia

[admiller]

on 5/1/2009 Well-written article about agoraphobia.

[rickmac]

on 4/30/2009 I know people that have panic attacks and your adivce will be helpful to them.

[andre7514]

on 4/28/2009 Great article on how to overcome agoraphobia. This article will be very helpful to a lot of people with this problem. 5 stars!!!

[sonni57]

on 4/27/2009 I'm not agoraphobic but I love to stay in the house and not be bothered. Thanks for the good article.