Learning To Deal With Your Agoraphobia

Panic may have taken over your life. You probably avoid unknown places and uncomfortable situations.

Your agoraphobia seems to control everything you do. The fear that you feel is all too real to you.

Going to sporting events where you are around many people is probably over whelming.

Riding in elevators, going over bridges, and standing in long lines is painful for you to do. Shopping should be a fun outing with family and friends, but it can turn into your own personal nightmare.

People who suffer from agoraphobia often feel this way. Do not feel like you are alone, because you are not. Large numbers of people suffer on a daily basis, and can relate to what you are going through. There are ways to overcome some of your fears though.

Symptoms

Some symptoms that you may feel when a spell of agoraphobia is about to take hold are:

  • Dizziness: Your world starts to spin and you feel faint
  • Breathing Problems: Your chest starts to close and you cannot breathe
  • Palm Sweating: The palms of your hands sweat profusely
  • Heart Rate: You feel like your heart is running a race
  • Stomach Trouble: Your stomach starts to hurt or diarrhea begins

These are only a few of the symptoms that you may feel when you encounter triggers of your agoraphobia.

Support of Family and Friends

Overcoming agoraphobia is sometimes a difficult process. You will have to confront your fears and that can be very painful mentally for you. There are different treatments out there that could help you if you are willing to try.

Support from your family and a friend is always a good thing to have. They can cheer you on and tell you that you can do it.

Friends and family can reassure you that everything will be all right. In your mind, it will be easier to believe your friends and family, because you know they would not want anything to harm you.

Using Medication to Overcome

Your health care provider can prescribe medications for the symptoms of your agoraphobia. Medications that your physician prescribes will help with the anxiety and depression that comes along with your agoraphobia.

Some drugs that they might suggest are anti depressants such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. Anti-anxiety drugs are also helpful in calming symptoms. Physicians often prescribe Xanax and Klonopin.

Therapy or Counseling

There has been a lot of research done on agoraphobia and one of the most beneficial treatments they can find is behavior therapy. This behavior therapy deals with a cognitive idea that helps you deal with the things that cause your agoraphobia, and how to avoid them.

The other side of the therapy deals with the behavioral aspect of your agoraphobia. This part will help you to confront your fears in a slow and safe manner.

Your life does not have to stop because of this disease. With some good information, and help from a skilled physician, you should be able to recapture your life.