Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is in the category of panic disorders but differs in that
the person has complete control, but inability to stop the overwhelming
fear that arises in public places. This condition might happen while
shopping, being in crowded places, in a business meeting, on an
elevator, or on a public transportation vehicle. The affected person is
not afraid of the actual place, but fears the inability to leave the
situation in a normal manner.
A person not affected by agoraphobia might be temporarily troubled
by this situation, but would recover quickly and forget about it. A
person with agoraphobia is unable to stop the fear.
Treatment for agoraphobia should be under direction of a
psychiatrist who is a specialist in neurological conditions. A
gradual procedure of repeated exposure to the situation causing the
fear, along with cognitive therapy, has been successful for many
people. Also, anti-anxiety medications are an option. Agoraphobia
may be treated similarly to panic disorders because of the similarity
of the two conditions.
Many people with agoraphobia get complete recovery without
treatment. Others who get partial recovery may use the same tactics for
treatment as the procedure used by a psychiatrist. This type of
treatment is repeated exposure to the object or situation feared.
Those sufferers who avoid doctors may eventually have serious problems
that disable them from daily activities.
Regardless of the treatment, a healthy lifestyle of proper nutrition
and physiotherapy will benefit this condition as well as almost any
health problem. For more information on a healthy lifestyle, please
view my articles on “Keys to the Century Mark” and “Alzheimer’s” free
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