What is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia
Leaving home can be a reason to panic for some. Agoraphobia refers to a fear of any place where escape may be difficult, including large open spaces or crowds, as well as various means of travel.
Definition
Translated from Greek as "fear of the marketplace," agoraphobia involves intense fear and anxiety of any place or situation where escape might be difficult. Agoraphobics may avoid situations such as being alone outside of the home; traveling in a car, bus, or airplane; being in a crowded area; or being on a bridge or in an elevator.
Endurance of such situations can put a person with agoraphobia under great stress, and a panic attack may result. Such high discomfort and stress may require another person's company in such situations.
Agoraphobia often accompanies another anxiety disorder, such as panic disorder or a specific phobia. If agoraphobia occurs with panic disorder, the onset is usually during the 20s; women are affected more often than men. Approximately 1.8 million American adults age 18 and over (about 0.8 percent of people in this age group in a given year) have agoraphobia without a history of panic disorder.
In panic disorder, panic attacks recur and the person develops an intense apprehension of having another attack. This fear—called anticipatory anxiety or fear of fear—can be present most of the time and seriously interfere with the person's life even when a panic attack is not in progress.
Agoraphobia affects about a third of all people with panic disorder. Typically, people with agoraphobia restrict themselves to a "zone of safety" that may include only the home or the immediate neighborhood. Any movement beyond the edges of this zone creates mounting anxiety. Even when they restrict themselves to "safe" situations, most people with agoraphobia continue to have panic attacks at least a few times a month.
People with agoraphobia can be seriously disabled by their condition. Some are unable to work, and they may need to rely heavily on other family members, who must do the shopping and household errands, as well as accompany the affected person on rare excursions outside the "safety zone." People with this disorder may become housebound for years, with resulting impairment of social and interpersonal relationships. Thus the person with agoraphobia typically leads a life of extreme dependency as well as great discomfort.
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Thanks for info
I think I have overcome Agoraphobia by having Physical Pain that has replaced the fear I know it may sound odd but I have went out 2 times since June 9TH because my Dad passed away so I went to the his service I had almost 0 Anxiety and I did amazing we drove around afterwards and I did not want to come back home but I was getting tired and then I went out again to the bank and I had 0 anxiety and we road around again I did fine except for the pain in my back but after each time the pain has was horrible in my back and head .
I have had brain surgery and I have had to use a walker and wheelchair but it is mostly because of my spinal stenosis and bone spurs in my back i do good controlling my anxious thoughts and anxiety and panic but the pain is miserable worse then the panic and that was horrible I am hoping to see a doctor soon for my spine and hopefully get me better but the odds are slim with the bad back . i do have fears of doctors finding things wrong with me but the agoraphobia does not bother me now maybe it would if i didnt have physical pain or had to try and drive but I am not able to drive because of my head and back but once I am out the door and in the car I am okay except the pain... so is it possible I am not agoraphobic anymore?? I know I have fears still there like with thinking my brain tumor could retun and health phobia and med phobia etc.. I am okay setting outside by myself and with my hubby use too I couldnt do that but the back pain is a doozy!!
Any thoughts anyone? How did I make it through my dads service and then to a bank inside with no anxiety??
Please if you believe in Prayer I could use them for my back pain!!
Thanks,
Tyedyedbutterfly :
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
will be thinking of you. And Im so sorry you lost your father.
I think agoraphobia can be cured/kept in check thru either exposure therapy and changes in thought patterns to lessen fears or when it falls farther down the scale in the list of priorities.
With everything you have going on Im sure it had to take a backseat and I hope you are proud of your efforts and success in this area.
I know they have threads here for those that suffer with chronic pain. And there is also a Prayer Thread here on 7cups. It is under Traumatic Experienced Community but dont let that scare you away. There are some lovely and sincere people there and I know theyd get the prayers going!
@themainjane Thank you so much for your reply I will check those out !! Appreciate your time!!
@themainjane Thank you so much for the Info!!
I am Hoping that 7cups will start having sessions on Agoraphobia I am better then I used to be but people still are not getting exactly how agoraphobia works or how it hard it is to beat and what works for some does not work for others.
Exposure Therapy is good without a doubt but you have got to be able to Get out that door first, so this has been the issue that many Therapist and people do not get is those first steps to exposure and trying to get too a therapy appointment ..
I am glad there is a Pray place on here My Faith has kept me going!!
Thanks again,
TDB :)l
@Tyedyedbutterfly65
hey you! 🙂
Id be willing to talk with you about how its hard to go outside Bc as you know I struggle with it too. And most days I dont go outside Altho Im not afraid of outside. Im more afraid of myself and other people.
I hope a check- in or chat does get started on these subjects.
@Tyedyedbutterfly65. Hey, that was brave of you to get out and go to the funeral.way to go. Here's a prayer- Jesus, be with this lady ,heal and comfort her, she needs your help and healing take her pain away and take her anxiety away. Carry her burdens help her take one day at a time.Send your love and true friends to her to be a help to her.Give her strength and guidance. Help her function well and get her life going in a positive way. In Jesus name Amen
@Vanessagail AMEN THANK YOU!!! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD!!!
I suffer from this mostly at night when I go out side of the house alone and majority being home alone ugh its the worse feeling for me I dislike being alone at night
@Adrjust1 So sorry , I hope you are seeing a theapist ?? I dont mind being alone I am used too it I would rather my Hubby be home more than he is but he has to work and his things he likes to do. I get so anxious over my health and seeing doctors thats when mine is really bad.
Thanks for your reply I wish you the best !!
TDB :)
@Ang0825. Have you tried getting a pet and letting the pet sleep in our room to comfort you, sleep with a stuffed animal hey, I know we are adults but I still collects them😛 Try classical music or nature sounds. Night lights help. Keep a baseball bat or something close by it may make you feel safer. Sweet Dreams
When you can't be in a small place with a lot of people😊
I have posted about Agoraphobia and waiting for replies on what can be done to either Open an Agoraphobia Room or have sessions on this so I am hoping that it will be brought up more and people can attend the sessions or if possible a Chatroom , because Agoraphobia is so much more then your anxiety attacks and panic its both wrapped up together and more!! You feel horrible and scared and like me I couldnt leave my own living room my safety place was my recliner and still is. You can also have agorapobia in your home where like me if I would go upstairs where I had a massive barbie collection I would end up feeling like i was going to pass out , couldnt breathe , gasping for air so dizzy and sick then hurrying back to my safe place so it can be like living in a plastic bubble it really is..
Agoraphobia is not the same for everyone some people can leave their homes for a short period but be in a state of anxiety the entire time until they get back to their safe place.
Over 1 Million People suffer with this and its the most over looked of them all I know because every therapist and doctor did not understand for me to get out to see them was not going to happen if i were able to do that then I would be able to over come agoraphobia they didnt understand that I needed like many for someone to come to my home and help me to work on this but that never happened because they didnt offer it back when i really needed it, Now they are starting where Nurse Practioners are doing home visits so they can help somewhat but then they want you to see a therapist. you can find online therapist like Doctor on Demand and it does take Inurance so you can try there , you can also try here but that is also money out of your pocket and if you can afford then try it!!!
There are Programs you can buy but once again this does cost money.. attacking anxiety is a great program and helped me alot but its around 400.00!! but its loaded with cds, dvds. etc... you can look on ebay for a used set also.
I think it would be so great to have a group chatroom here for this!!
Praying for you all that deal with this and many more health issues.
Peace and Love
TDB :)
I hav this and its crippling. I have my zones of safety but even then I still have panic attacks at least once a month. I was in therapy but had to stop due to finances. Im praying Ill be able to start again soon.
@GingerSunshyne
I hope so too.
@GingerSunshyne Hey How are you? I was thinking about what do you think about buying a small pepper spray, you can put it on your keychain. When you go out and feel afraid you can pull it out and get it ready if you need it. Maybe you won't feel so scared if you know you got something to defend yourself.You can get them in pawn shops. There maybe some others ways to feel safe like have cell phone available on you with your numbers of ppl who can help you. There is even an app you can push at anytime and it makes cops, emt, or personal contact find you asap. Maybe you should try and go to a self defence class later when you get ready to leave your house again. Hope you get to go to parks again and to see your loved ones. Get well😉
AGORAPHOBIA/SOCIAL ANXIETY FORUM AND CHECK-IN THREAD
We need one.
I would support this subcommunity and be an active member, I believe. I would love to see a space where we could come together and share our trials and triumphs, strengths and weaknesses - a place to commiserate with others who understand the depths of this problem. We need a space where we can encourage each other in our journeys, lean on each other during the tough times, cheer each other on in our accomplishments, and work towards finding solutions to our common problems.
Let's get this going!
Duh. I guess this is the place - not sure why that didnt click with me. Maybe bc Im usually on app or not the most tech savvy.
The point still remains: would love to see this thread more active.
To that end and to contribute I will share that Ive been struggling with needing to visit with my Mom for weeks now. ... that doorknob is so far away and there are mountains to climb in my mind to get there.
Im trying to set a goal of going outside tonite. No one will be around. I can do that for a few minutes, cant I? Even as I write these words I feel my faith in the idea flagging. I dont know why I have to be this way. Whats wrong with me? Ok, not doing the shame and guilt spiral. ( guess this attempt has already gone a lil sideways).
I am surprised that more people dont check in here. If youre out there and it seems hopeless or overwhelming — youre not alone.
Just a heads up we have mulitple people working on having Sessions on Agoraphobia in the Anxiety chatroom!!! so keep your eyes out fo this okay!!
I am Hoping for a Phobia chatroom!!! We have rooms here that set empty and could be used for agoraphobia and other phobias!!!
Please know that you arent alone dealing with Agoraphobia!! I am one who lives with it!!
When it's really cold outside; I have a tough time leaving my house.
@Lilylistens Hello everyone!
We are conducting research on agoraphobia to better understand how it affects daily life and what strategies can help. Your experience is invaluable to us. Would you please take a few minutes to complete this survey?
Thank you for your support! Your participation will help create more effective resources for those dealing with this phobia 😄
