Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia

Panic disorder is at its most severe when it becomes panic disorder with agoraphobia. Panic disorder with agoraphobia creates such anxiety that a man will do anything to avoid being in what he or she considers ‘unprotected space’. Public places are feared as ‘unprotected’ simply because a panic attack can happen there.

Agoraphobia sets in when the panic attack sufferer is not willing to risk having an attack in a public space. Agoraphobics are totally controlled by their fear of having an attack and live in an ever-shrinking world.

Agoraphobics are so ruled by fear that they become ready to do fewer and fewer things. Symptoms of agoraphobia include:

• Frequent intense panic attacks plus severe anxiety.

• Avoiding attacks by staying home all the time.

• Avoiding going out by depending on other people for everything.

• Avoiding being alone no matter what.

• Worrying concerning an escape route at all times.

• Fear of ‘having a meltdown’ in public.

• Feelings of detachment and isolation.

• Persistent feelings of helplessness.

• Feeling like the world is simply not quite real.

• Feeling detached from one’s physical body.

• Emotional outbursts that come with twitching or trembling.

Agoraphobia is marked by extreme avoidance punctuated by panic attacks. Agoraphobics have very intense panic attacks. Agoraphobic panic attacks are often mistaken for heart attacks. The following symptoms signal the beginning of a panic attack:

• Difficulty breathing.

• Feeling woozy or dizzy.

• Feeling faint.

• Numbness and tingling sensations.

• Blushing uncontrollably.

• Feelings of pain or tightness in the chest area.

• Fear that you simply are dying.

• Fears of being mentally ill.

• Accelerated pulse.

• Temporary increase in blood pressure.

Panic disorder with agoraphobia must not be ignored. Agoraphobics have frequently been dealing with panic unsuccessfully for several years.

Panic disorder with agoraphobia can cause very serious issues including social isolation, lost work, and broken relationships. Despite the severe symptoms, treatment for panic disorder with agoraphobia has a very high rate of success.

Early diagnosis is vitally important. Early treatment creates the fastest cure. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) combined with systematic desensitization is the standard treatment for agoraphobia. Drug treatment maybe included as well.

CBT is a method for changing how an agoraphobic thinks about fear and the world. Systematic desensitization really desensitizes agoraphobics to fear so that they never become afraid of specific stimuli.

Simply imagining leaving the house may be the 1st step. When that is tolerable, the agoraphobic might next imagine opening the door. Stepping outside may be the final step. Agoraphobics are all different, but in general the prognosis for a full recovery is excellent.

Antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications may even be used to ease symptoms. Drugs can improve the effectiveness of therapy. Drug may be discontinued gradual once therapy has been successful. Patients generally continue the mediations indefinitely.

Treating panic disorder early can prevent agoraphobia. Scientists do not yet know what causes panic disorder with agoraphobia. Anxiety disorders are incredibly common. Together these disorders count for almost a 3rd of all mental health expenditures.