Agoraphobia is an intense anxiety caused by actual or anticipated exposure to certain situations. Diagnosis requires it symptoms Occur in at least two of the following five situations:
- to benefit from Public transport (such as cars, buses, trains, and planes);
- be in open spaces (such as parking lots, markets and bridges):
- be in close distancessuch as stores or movie theatres;
- be in queues or in crowds;
- and be Away from home with no one else around.
Agoraphobia should only be diagnosed if the fear, anxiety, or avoidance persists over time (more than six months) and if it causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
People with agoraphobia usually have thoughts that something terrible might happen when they experience fear and anxiety associated with the situations described above. At the same time, they believe that escaping from such situations can be difficult. Or there will be no way to get help when panic symptoms or other disabling or embarrassing symptoms (vomiting, falling) appear. Therefore, those who suffer from agoraphobia try to avoid these situations. But in an effort to avoid them, he changes his behavior in such a drastic way that he even avoids leaving the house. These people are usually better able to deal with the feared situation when someone else is with them.
Who suffers from agoraphobia?
large percentage of people (30-50%) Reporting of panic attacks or panic disorder before the onset of agoraphobia symptoms, mean age Starting at 17. For those who have not experienced previous panic symptoms, the average age is indicated From 25 to 29 years old. There is an increased risk of developing this disorder in late adolescence and early adulthood, with another stage of risk 40 years later. Its appearance in infancy is rare.
Over time, agoraphobia usually resolves persistent that it chronic. Complete remission (10%) is rare unless the disorder is treated. As the condition worsens, the probability of full recovery decreases, while rates of relapse and chronic disease increase.
Not to be confused with a specific phobia
a Specific situational phobia (Like the Fear of flying, eg) agoraphobia has several distinct criteria and symptoms. However, a specific agoraphobia exists if the fear, anxiety, or avoidance is limited to only one agoraphobia. The requirement to fear two or more agoraphobic states is the way to differentiate agoraphobia from specific phobias. As additional differential characteristics, linked reasoning is included. Thus, if the situation is frightening for reasons other than panic-like or other embarrassing symptoms, for example you are afraid of flying because you are afraid of a plane crash, then the most appropriate diagnosis is a specific phobia.
Treatment includes psychotherapy and medication
Treatment for agoraphobia often includes a combination of: Psychotherapy that it medicine. Cognitive behavioral therapy involves discussion sessions that can help patients think, react, and act differently in relation to situations that trigger fear. It teaches patients to recognize and control their distorted thoughts and false beliefs, which allows them to feel less anxious when they have to leave the house.
Exposure therapy, which is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy, may also be used. With structure and support from a specialist prescribing exposure tasks, patients seek out, confront, stay in touch with, and avoid what they fear until the anxiety gradually subsides through a process called get used to.
In terms of medicines, they are used Antidepressants that it AnxiolyticsWhich helps relieve symptoms.
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