Agoraphobia Psychotherapy

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Agoraphobia Psychotherapy
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Introduction

• Agoraphobia belongs to the category of anxiety
  disorders and is defined as the intense fear of
  staying in large, unfamiliar, crowded places,
  where escape is difficult. This phobia is
  associated with severe anxiety and panic attacks,
  the severity of which varies. Specifically, in
  cases of moderate severity, the person may
  experience a panic attack if they cannot find a
  way to escape or a place to feel safe. In more
  severe cases, sufferers may remain locked in
  their homes.

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Table of contents

• What causes agoraphobia?
• Symptoms
• Diagnostic Criteria
• Treatment
• Psychotherapy

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What causes agoraphobia?

• About 1 of Americans suffer from agoraphobia,
  with women accounting for a higher percentage
  than men. The disorder usually occurs in people
  under the age of 35, with an average onset age of
  20 years. Agoraphobia can also be understood as a
  consequence of panic attacks, as people with
  panic attacks are likely to develop a phobia of
  experiencing a crisis in a public place without
  being able to escape.

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• This fear combined with the feeling of shame and
  the inability to escape can lead to the
  development of agoraphobia. However, as a
  disorder it does not always occur in combination
  with panic attacks. The factors that lead to its
  manifestation vary from person to person, which
  is the reason it is so difficult for researchers
  to find its universal causes. For example, some
  people may develop the disorder after exposure to
  a traumatic event or agoraphobia may occur in the
  context of post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Symptoms

• Agoraphobia affects the mental, physical and
  cognitive spheres of human existence. High blood
  pressure, abdominal pain during stress,
  difficulty breathing, nausea, and numbness are
  the most common physical symptoms.

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• On a cognitive level, it seems that confusion and
  disorganization of thought are more prevalent. A
  person suffering with agoraphobia can also stay
  in the house for prolonged period of time and
  usually clings on to other people of their
  immediate circle. The patient may be afraid to be
  left alone in unfamiliar places, not knowing how
  to escape, afraid that they may lose control or
  that they may go crazy.

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• It is also possible to experience
  depersonalization or derealisation. Patients
  often try hard to change and adjust their daily
  routine to avoid busy places or situations that
  may increase stress and anxiety. Around 1/3 of
  sufferers have difficulty leaving their home.

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Diagnostic Criteria

• One of the main changes made to the Diagnostic
  and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5)
  is the categorization of agoraphobia as a
  separate diagnostic entity. It is no longer
  associated with panic disorder, but is classified
  on its own.
• More specifically, in DSM-5, agoraphobia was
  under panic disorder and could act as a
  determinant. However, in the new version of the
  classification system, if the criteria of both
  disorders are met, two diagnoses will be given.

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• In order for a person to be diagnosed with
  agoraphobia, they must feel intense fear or
  anxiety in at least two of the following
• Being in an open space
• Being in a public enclosed space (i.e. cinema,
  shop)
• While in a crowd or waiting in line
• Using public transport (i.e. train, bus)
• Being out of home alone

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Treatment

• Treatment usually includes both psychotherapy and
  medication. Without treatment, only around 10 of
  people completely recover.

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Psychotherapy

• Within the therapeutic context, sufferers have
  the opportunity to talk about the fears, thoughts
  and the feelings that cause panic in order to
  discover ways to manage and to obtain their
  functionality. Through therapy, sufferers learn
  different thought and behavioral processes that
  lead to coping and improving the situation.

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• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) directly
  helps to replace dysfunctional thoughts, symptom
  management and stressful situations. Patients are
  finally able to recognize that the thoughts they
  are having are unlikely to actually happen. Over
  time, anxiety decreases and patients learn to
  understand and control their distorted view of
  stressful situations.

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• For people suffering with agoraphobia, taking the
  step to go to a therapists office is a
  challenge. In such cases, patients either opt for
  distance therapy, where the session is held via
  phone, video-chat or email, or home-based therapy
  where the session is held within the patients
  home. Members of the patients close environment
  also play an important role in avoiding critical
  or oppressive behaviour. Finally, the development
  of self-care methods, such as relaxation,
  avoidance of stressful situations, proper
  nutrition, good sleep and exercise can be
  particularly helpful in managing agoraphobia.

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• Agoraphobia can have a profound effect on a
  person's daily life. With proper treatment, one
  in three people eventually overcome agoraphobia
  and do not experience it again. About half have
  significant improvement, but may occasionally
  experience some minor symptoms of high blood
  pressure. However, about 1 in 5 people do not see
  any improvement and continue to live with these
  conditions. Early treatment is more likely to
  lead to positive results.

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Contact Details

• Business Name InnerSight Psychotherapy
• Address 2174 Major MacKenzie Dr W, Maple, ON L6A
  3Y8 Canada
• Phone Number [phone]
• Website https//psychotherapyclinic.ca/our-approa
  ch/