Do You Need Help For Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is a fear of being trapped, usually in a situation in which there is no escape, like in an elevator or in the dark. Many agoraphobics will keep their feelings and fears to themselves, but other people are unable to do this. When the agoraphobic experiences an anxiety attack, they usually fear going into certain situations. If you suffer from agoraphobia, treatment is available.

For a long time, most therapists treated patients with anxiety and depression. However, there has been a shift towards treatment of agoraphobia. Nowadays, it is being treated as a panic disorder instead of as an anxiety disorder. In addition, online agoraphobia therapy has made it even easier for these patients to receive help. Online or phone counseling is helpful for people who don’t have enough time to spend with their family members and allows them to receive help in a quiet, secure place, even if they’re in a large space.

The number of patients who take part in online therapy sessions is increasing rapidly. The Internet offers a lot of information about the disorder and about how to treat it. Online therapy sessions usually last about two to four hours, depending on the length of the patient’s therapy. Online agoraphobia therapy sessions can include several different aspects of the disorder, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, which teach the patients to face their fears in small, controlled areas where they feel safe.

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps the patients to identify negative thoughts and replace them with realistic positive ones. This is done by being able to recognize the source of their anxiety, such as an imagined situation in which they become tense or overwhelmed by waiting room traffic. Once the thought becomes commonplace, the patient can then learn to manage the anxiety by replacing the thought with more pleasant, realistic thoughts. They can learn to become comfortable with the idea of standing in a long line at a movie theater or sitting in a doctor’s office waiting room. Once they are comfortable in these new situations, the anxiety will naturally dissipate.

Exposure therapy involves going to places that cause you no fear whatsoever. For example, you might go shopping in an empty shopping mall and gradually move from waiting room to waiting room until you get to your favorite shop. While at first your feelings of anxiety might be heightened, you can eventually get used to them. You can then use this method to get help for agoraphobia, or to deal with any other anxiety disorder that involves open spaces.

The second part of exposure therapy is related to gradually building up your tolerance to open spaces. It does this through gradually reducing the amount of time you spend in potentially dangerous situations. This can take a few weeks or months, depending on your own individual situation. When you get better at controlling your urges, you will be able to go to those public places without your heart pounding in terror.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most popular option for treatment of agoraphobia. This approach treats the physical problem of avoiding panic attacks, but it also works on your behavior. The reason that cognitive behavioral therapy is a very effective solution for this problem is that it tries to eliminate the irrational fears of your mind. In short, it tries to replace your panic attacks with realistic ones. You start out with therapy sessions that teach you how to recognize your physical symptoms and how to overcome them. After therapy, you will likely be living a healthier life full of joy and happiness.

In addition to traditional therapy sessions, you can also consider online agoraphobia therapy. If you are too shy to join a group or are concerned that other people won’t be as willing to help you as you are, then online therapy may be right for you. You can get support from other sufferers through online forums and message boards. If you prefer to keep your therapy sessions on your own, there are many books and videos out there that offer helpful advice. No matter which method you choose, you can get help for agoraphobia.

Ann Miller

+ posts

• Remote video feedback in iCBT for Social Anxiety Disorder
• Scientists Map Networks Regulating Gene Function in the Human Brain
• Making children and young people's mental health care evidence-based
• Information Session: NIMH Intramural Research Program Training Opportunities (June)

More To Read:

We Need To Have A Look At What They Fear – Famous People Phobias Find the Best Agoraphobia Treatment Is Agoraphobia Therapy Right For You? Get Help For Agoraphobia Online Agoraphobia Therapy Agoraphobia Treatment Online Agoraphobia Therapy – Can You Overcome Your Fear? Online Therapy For Agoraphobia The mental health support for asylum seekers and refugees in the UK Finding Agoraphobicity Therapy