Fear Of Open Spaces
Fear of open spaces is the literal translation of a complicated anxiety disorder known as ‘agoraphobia’. Calling agoraphobia fear of open spaces is somewhat misleading, since the condition is a more advanced form of panic disorder.
The fear in ‘fear of open spaces’ is not about open spaces themselves. Fear of open spaces is more a fear of experiencing panic attacks in the open and not being able to flee. Agoraphobia is most usually a condition that develops when panic attacks have gone untreated for several years.
Fear of open spaces is signaled by the following symptoms:
• Avoidance of crowds.
• Fear of using public transportation.
• Panic attacks that happen regularly.
• Avoidance of all unfamiliar areas.
• Fear of leaving home.
• Dependence on others for basic needs.
• Loss of social support, isolation.
Agoraphobia is one of the foremost severe forms of anxiety disorder. Agoraphobia can be diagnosed with other emotional illnesses or on its own. Common companion disorders to agoraphobia include Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), clinical depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in America these days. Anxiety accounts for over 30% of all current expenditures on mental health.
Agoraphobia is a very serious disorder. Dependence on others and a tendency to become totally housebound. Agoraphobics are so fearful that even bringing in the mail will be an impossible task.
Agoraphobics usually start out having panic disorder first. Panic disorder is characterised by shortness of breath, tightness or pain in the chest, dizziness, nausea, fear, confusion, and tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, and face that come with regular bouts of intense fear.
A panic attack can be indistinguishable from a heart attack. Multiple visits to the ER should be made to rule out heart attack before panic disorder is finally diagnosed. Panic and heart disease look so similar even doctors need to run tests to tell them apart.
Panic attack sufferers often depend on avoidance to keep themselves from having additional attacks. They begin to avoid public places. Agoraphobia starts when avoidance sets in. People can become utterly housebound if treatment is not sought.
Agoraphobia can be successfully treated however. Full recovery is attainable with good treatment. Treatment for agoraphobia might involve therapy, drugs, or both.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a short-term method that retrains the agoraphobic to understand his feelings and environment in a new way. CBT ‘reframes’ perception so the attacks stop naturally.
Systematic desensitization is also used to treat agoraphobia. Stressful stimuli are very gradually increased during systematic desensitization sessions. Exposure is maintained at each level till no fear is felt. Stressful stimuli are then slightly increased again.
Agoraphobia is most commonly treated with SSRI medications. SSRI drugs relieve anxiety by increasing the level of serotonin in the bloodstream.
Serotonin is a natural tranquilizer made in the human body. Maintaining healthy levels of serotonin is harder for a few folks than others for reasons that aren't yet known.
Just a reminder - See Fear of Open Spaces here: Fear of Open Spaces
Julia Hanson website: Panic-anxiety-attack-help.com
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