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Agoraphobia is an unjustified, morbid fear of open space. People with agoraphobia are unable to leave the house by themselves, the very thought is overwhelming. What are the causes and symptoms of agoraphobia? What is the treatment?

Agoraphobiais a neurotic disorder whose essence is unjustified, morbid fear of open space and more. The fear is also caused by large, closed rooms in which there are many people, e.g. hypermarkets, railway stations. Agoraphobics also avoid traveling by train, driving a car, and even cycling alone. Patients avoid all situations and places for fear that getting out of them could be difficult / embarrassing. Besides, they are afraid that if something happens to them, nobody in the crowd will notice it. That is why they do not leave the house without an accompanying person, who is "the guarantor of safety" in public places.

Agoraphobia - causes

It is not known exactly what causes agoraphobia. Perhaps its development is influenced by traumatic experiences, a situation in which one got lost in the crowd. It may also be related to the personality of the agoraphobic.

Agoraphobia - symptoms

In a person with agoraphobia, who is in an open space, in a public place,

  • blood pressure rises
  • makes the heart beat faster
  • diarrhea, pollakiuria occurs
  • "soft" legs
  • breathing becomes fast and deep, leading to hyperventilation, which may result in lactic acidosis, resulting in a panic attack. Then symptoms typical for a heart attack may appear - chest pain, shortness of breath

Increased somatic symptoms of anxiety are not dangerous for a he althy person. But for people suffering from chronic diseases (especially cardiovascular diseases), they can even be life-threatening.

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It is important to know that agoraphobia can coexist with obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety neurosis, social phobia, bipolar disorder or epilepsy.

Agoraphobia - treatment

In the case of phobias, pharmacological agents play an auxiliary role. It is advisable to use cognitive behavioral therapymainly the technique of systematic desensitization, i.e. gradual desensitization. A hierarchy of stimuli is established, from the weakest to the strongest, and therapy begins with repeatedly exposing the patient to the weakest of them. Our brain can get used to everything, including fear. So it gets weaker with time. At the same time, a competitive stimulus is used - relaxation.

In the case of agoraphobia, the patient first goes out on the terrace for 1-2 minutes. He is terrified, but the psychotherapist puts him in a state of relaxation. When the sick person calms down, he returns to the room and then goes out again, but for a longer time. Repeating the exercise many times reduces anxiety and makes staying on the terrace associated with relaxation. Then you can try to go out into the street. Such therapy is preceded by explaining the essence of the disease and learning relaxation techniques.

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Category:

Psychiatry