How to Overcome Fear of Abandonment Relaxation Techniques For Anxiety

Agoraphobia – Home Bound

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Some people define agoraphobia as having an abnormal fear or anxiety of open or public places. Others say it involves the fear of being away from home. Both definitions appear synonymous in that a person who is afraid of open spaces is similar to a person who prefers staying within the confines of their home. Agoraphobia may be considered an anxiety disorder related to fear of open areas or emanating from avoidance behavior. Some studies show people with agoraphobia do not leave their homes for a long period of time, for years or even decades.

It is difficult to determine the specific causes for agoraphobia. Sometime, it develops in response to a frightening or traumatic event outside of the house. There have been cases where traumatic experiences encountered outside of the home were so severe that the people feared leaving the house ever again, for fear that they would encounter those traumatic events again. Constant or repeated exposure to anxiety-provoking events in open areas could make a person want to stay at home. For instance, being beat up repeatedly every time a gang sees you outside of the house will make you want to stay in the safety and security of the home. Others fear having a panic attack when they are in a public place, thus justifying their recluse in the confines of their home.

Some studies indicate it may be hereditary or even a combination of genetics and personal behavior. Chemical imbalances or medical abuse, such as constant use of tranquilizers and sleeping pills, could also contribute to the development of agoraphobia. The person becomes nervous in public places and is worried that they will undergo a panic attack. You try to avoid social gatherings because you sense people are staring at you and you begin feeling embarrassed for no particular reason. You will avoid that type of scenario or environment altogether. If you had a panic attack previously in an open area, your subconscious may implant the fear of going to open areas of all sorts. In extreme cases, to avoid possible events from occurring, the person may opt to stay in the safety of their home and never venture outside of their house. It does not resolve the disorder.

Although the person might have some relief from not going out, they can still suffer from anticipation anxieties. The person can continually speculate on the potential attacks they may suffer if they go outside. So despite the fact the person is safe in the house, they may still be mentally undergoing some anguish speculating on the adverse possibilities if they should venture into open areas. When a panic attack occurs, the person may experience low breathing, numbness or a feeling of nausea. They may even feel feverish with sneezing fits, rapid palpitations and dizziness. Interestingly, when people go back into their homes, all the panic attack symptoms disappear and they feel at ease, comfortable and in no pain at all.

Behavior therapy and modification, and cognitive therapies are all possible treatments for agoraphobia. A diagnosis should be conducted to determine the type of anxiety disorder and the appropriate treatment to be applied. The treatments should also take into consideration the personality traits and lifestyle of the individual. One commonly used method is systematic desensitization, wherein the person is made to face their fears gradually until they become used to the conditions. For instance, a person may be requested to stand in the doorway until such time they become acclimatized to the environment, and gradually move slowly to the outside area. This treatment may take hours or years depending on the person’s condition and capability to cope with the anxiety disorder.