Why is agoraphobia difficult to treat

Panic disorder occurs when you live in fear of a panic attack. A panic attack can result in sudden, overwhelming terror with no obvious cause. Waking up with a panic attack can be disorienting and terrifying. Doctors aren't exactly sure why some people have panic attacks in their sleep, but…. Learn how to recognize a panic attack and get help to….

Does worrying put a damper on your day? Try these techniques to free yourself. Though autism and social anxiety have similarities, the two conditions are very different. Learn why.

Check out our picks for the best anxiety products and gift ideas, from books to herbal supplements. People who have generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, worry uncontrollably about common situations.

GAD is different from normal anxiousness. What are the benefits of running for anxiety? Well, there are many. Here's how going for a jog can clear your head. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Mental Health. Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Panic Disorders People who have a panic disorder, also known as anxiety attacks, experience sudden attacks of intense and overwhelming fear that something awful is about to happen.

Symptoms typically first appear at about age This includes: malls airplanes trains theaters You may begin to avoid the places and situations where you had a panic attack before, for fear it might happen again. The Symptoms of Panic Attacks and Agoraphobia. What Causes a Panic Attack with Agoraphobia?

Coping with Your Condition. Read this next. Panic Attack. Medically reviewed by Karin Gepp, PsyD. An Overview of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Hit the Reset Button: Running for Anxiety. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Anxiety. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. About agoraphobia Symptoms of agoraphobia Agoraphobia develops over time Complications of agoraphobia Diagnosis of agoraphobia Treatment for agoraphobia Self-help methods to manage agoraphobia Where to get help.

About agoraphobia Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder. Agoraphobia develops over time Agoraphobia usually begins with a stressful event — for example, a person loses a job or a relationship ends. For example: Activities outside of the home such as work, school, socialising, hobbies and many forms of exercise are out of reach. Financial hardship, isolation, loneliness and boredom may lead to greater feelings of distress and increase the risk of depression. The person may recognise that their fear is irrational, but feel powerless to do anything about it.

They may feel angry and frustrated with themselves. These negative feelings damage self-esteem and contribute to depression, and other anxieties and fears.

The person may try to cope using unhealthy methods such as comfort eating, drugs or alcohol , which in turn can cause or contribute to further health problems. Treatment for agoraphobia Agoraphobia responds well to treatment. The treatment options suggested by your doctor or therapist will depend on your circumstances and preferences, but may include: a course of medications, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications cognitive behaviour therapy and exposure therapy counselling and talk therapy relaxation training support groups instruction in self-help methods.

Self-help methods to manage agoraphobia The key to conquering agoraphobia is learning to control anxiety symptoms and progressively going into the situations that you fear. Be guided by your doctor or therapist, but general self-help suggestions include: Breathe slowly — hyperventilation breathing too fast and too shallow will make the symptoms of a panic attack worse.

Consciously slow your breathing. Concentrate on expanding your abdomen, not your chest, with every inhalation. When agoraphobia occurs with panic attacks, the physical symptoms can include:. Also, a study found that levels of low-grade inflammation appeared to increase over time in people with agoraphobia. This suggests that people with the condition may have a higher risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. The specific reasons why agoraphobia develops remain unclear, but changes in the areas of the brain that control the fear response may play a role.

The DSM-5 lists three types of risk factors :. To diagnose agoraphobia, a healthcare professional will interview the person and ask about their symptoms.

They may also ask how the person feels about leaving the house and being in certain situations. Using criteria from the DSM-5 , doctors can diagnose agoraphobia if a person experiences anxiety or extreme fear in at least two of the following situations. The symptoms must be persistent, and the person must have experienced them for at least 6 months to receive a diagnosis.

The doctor also needs to establish that the symptoms do not result from another disorder, such as a specific phobia or social anxiety disorder. They may perform or order tests to rule out other conditions that could cause the symptoms. A person with a diagnosis of agoraphobia may be eligible for a disability allowance.

The DSM-5 considers agoraphobia to be persistent and chronic if a person does not receive treatment. For many, it is a lifelong condition. However, treatment can help people manage the symptoms. As many as 1 in 2 people with agoraphobia who receive treatment may make a full recovery. Others may see a significant improvement, with symptoms only reoccurring in times of stress. Anyone experiencing the symptoms should seek treatment as soon as possible.

Fear is a universal human experience. In this feature, we ask why fear evolved, what happens in the body, and why some people enjoy it. Sometimes, fearful sensations can be a source of pleasure. Our Special Feature explores the hows and whys of this phenomenon.

A phobia is an irrational and overpowering fear. A fear of flying and many other things can stop people doing what they want to, but treatment is…. Thalassophobia is a fear of the ocean or other large bodies of water.