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Agoraphobia is an open space anxiety disorder. The word comes from the combination of two Greek words: agora, which means assembly, public square or market, and phobia, which is fear. In general it implies intense fear and anxiety of being in places where it is difficult to escape or where help may not be available and may involve situations with crowds, on bridges, or alone outdoors.
Of unknown causes, sometimes it is linked to panic attacks suffered that specific moments that entails starting to fear that these attacks will occur again, which re-fuels the fear, turning into a vicious circle. Also genetics, temperament, environmental stress and previous experiences can influence its manifestation. It can also be associated with depression, drug or alcohol abuse, and other mental health disorders such as anxiety or personality disorders.
People with agoraphobia have difficulty feeling safe in public places, especially where crowds gather, and may need trusted companions to dare to be in public places in order to feel safer. The fear can be so overwhelming that it causes the inability to leave the house.
In general, treatment combines psychotherapy and medications and requires close medical monitoring. In addition, it usually involves confronting these fears, which is why it is a challenge for those affected.
Many of the people have, in addition to agoraphobia, panic disorders in which they suffer sudden attacks of extreme fear, which reaches a peak in just a few minutes and has a very intense physical response of the body in which a total loss is felt of control. Sometimes you may even have the feeling of a heart attack or that you are dying.
Although it can occur during childhood, it usually begins in late adolescence and early adulthood, usually before the age of 35, and is slightly more prevalent among women than men.
symptom
The Mayo Clinic determines a series of typical symptoms of agoraphobia as fear of:
– Leave home alone
– Crowds
– Make a line
– Enclosed spaces, such as cinemas, elevators, or small shops
– Open spaces, such as parking lots, bridges or trains
– Use public transportation, such as buses, planes, or trains
Consequences
- Fear or anxiety almost always stem from exposure to the situation
- They are disproportionate to the real danger of the situation
- Situations are avoided
- Need for a person to keep company
- Unbearable anguish
- Problems with social situations, work, or other areas of life due to fear, anxiety, or avoidance
- In general, avoidance and phobia last six months or more