If being alone at home, far from home, in open spaces, or in crowded places causes you anxiety and tension, it’s important to know that this is a fear called agoraphobia.
What is agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is an intense fear of being in crowded places or open spaces where escape might be difficult or embarrassing. A person with agoraphobia experiences anxiety and fear in the following situations:
- When being away from home
- Entering a store
- Traveling by public transport
- Being in crowded places
- In situations where it’s difficult to escape.
In such situations, physical symptoms may also appear, such as:
- Increased heart rate
- Trembling
- Dizziness
- A tight feeling in the chest
- Restlessness
- Difficulty swallowing
What causes agoraphobia and what are its symptoms?
The main causes of agoraphobia are stress, traumatic experiences, or genetic predisposition.
In terms of symptoms, a person with agoraphobia experiences both negative thoughts, emotions, and feelings, as well as physical manifestations. Due to these symptoms, the individual anticipates that they will feel unwell again in new situations, which leads them to avoid being in crowded or unfamiliar places.
What does agoraphobia hinder us from doing?
Agoraphobia creates significant disruptive challenges in a person’s daily life. This condition can hinder both the physical and emotional well-being of an individual. Specifically, these challenges include:
Avoidance of public gatherings
A person finds it difficult to be in open or crowded places (such as shopping malls, entertainment venues, public transport). This can lead to social isolation and problems in personal relationships.
Fear and limited physical activity
Sometimes a person is so afraid that they don’t even leave the house because they fear they won’t be able to get help if something goes wrong.
Obstacles in work and study
If a person is unable to be in public places, they may face issues with maintaining their job or continuing their education.
Emotional effects
Agoraphobia often leads to stress, depression, and anxiety. The constant feeling of fear and uncertainty has a significant impact on an individual’s personal and professional life, resulting in a decreased quality of life.
Communication deficit
A person may avoid and limit the quality of social interactions because they believe they won’t be able to control the situation when around others.
Dependence on family members
In some cases, a person may turn to family members or friends for support when they want to go outside. This leads to dependence on others and limits the individual’s level of independence.
Treatment
Agoraphobia can be treated both with medication and psychological methods. The effectiveness of treatment increases when both a psychiatrist and a psychologist are involved in the process.
Psychological treatment can be carried out using various therapeutic methods, such as:
Expositional Therapy – This method involves “exposure” – gradually presenting the fear-inducing object or situation in a controlled environment, with the principle of increasing the intensity of fear, in order to overcome the frightening stimulus.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – A results-oriented psychotherapeutic method that helps individuals manage anxiety, depression, phobias, and other psychological issues by developing a positive outlook on life and teaching techniques for rationalizing thoughts.
Medication Treatment – In medication therapy, the doctor prescribes a treatment plan tailored to the patient’s needs and complaints, aimed at reducing anxiety and fear, and improving the quality of life.
Author: Avtandil Papelishvili
Editor: Elene Gogokhia, Guga Sikharulidze, Elene Khomeriki