Question 1

What is agoraphobia the fear of?

Accepted Answer

Agoraphobia is the fear or anxiety of being in environments where one may not be able to escape easily or situations where immediate help would not be available if something goes wrong.

Most people think agoraphobia is the fear of open spaces, but it is more complex than that. When someone with agoraphobia is in a stressful environment, they manifest symptoms of panic attacks, such as an increase in heart rate, rapid breathing, and excessive sweating.

People with agoraphobia tend to avoid environments or situations that cause fear and anxiety. They manifest strange behaviors such as ordering groceries online instead of going to a grocery store. This type of behavior is called avoidance and happens after the individual has experienced anxiety in the environment they are avoiding.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 2

Is agoraphobia a mental illness?

Accepted Answer

Agoraphobia is a type of mental illness that is classified under panic disorders. Panic disorders are mental illnesses that manifest through experiences of intense fear and panic attacks. People with this condition avoid situations or places that induce panic attacks. Most people with agoraphobia like to stay at home for fear of developing panic attacks when they enter environments that trigger the reaction.

Agoraphobia qualifies as a mental illness because it induces debilitating fear in the patients. For those with the condition, the fear is so intense that they do not lead a normal life. For instance, some individuals do not go out for fear that they will get life-threatening panic attacks.

However, some people with no history of experiencing panic attacks often manifest agoraphobia. In most cases, such people experience a deep fear of environments associated with terrorism, accidents, or crime, such as airports, airplanes, malls, dark alleys, and elevators. Such people avoid these places for fear or losing control in public. Other people experience agoraphobia after traumatic events such as bereavement and fire accidents.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 3

What is the best therapy for agoraphobia?

Accepted Answer

The best forms of therapy available for agoraphobia include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy or psychotherapy. It helps to deepen an understanding of where various behaviors come from and what triggers them. CBT, in particular, will teach you to identify distorted or unrealistic thoughts and come up with ways to cope when your agoraphobia strikes.
Exposure therapy will expose you slowly and safely to situations or places that trigger you, so your fear begins to diminish over time.

These types of therapy can be used on their own or in conjunction with anxiety medication to treat agoraphobia.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 4

What triggers agoraphobia?

Accepted Answer

Common triggers for agoraphobia include leaving home alone, being in crowded spaces, being in social situations, using public transit, being in enclosed spaces like elevators, or being in open spaces like stores.

These triggers can cause intense feelings of fear or anxiety and even panic attacks. Many times, those with agoraphobia are afraid of not being able to escape from a situation or place or may fear having a panic attack in a public space. This sometimes causes those with agoraphobia to be unable to go out alone or even leave their homes at all, which can lead to additional anxiety, isolation, and depression.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 5

How common is agoraphobia?

Accepted Answer

Agoraphobia is an uncommon disorder, impacting less than 1% of U.S. adults at any given time. Approximately 1.3% adults will experience agoraphobia at some point.

Interestingly, agoraphobia affects twice as many women as men.

Most people start manifesting this condition in adulthood, especially between age 18 and 35. The severity of the illness varies with individuals. Those with extreme cases cannot leave their homes, while those with mild conditions can take short journeys to familiar places without any problem.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

What is agoraphobia the fear of?

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