What is agoraphobia? Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder whose general definition is the intense fear of leaving safe spaces. People with agoraphobia tend to experience panic, usually resulting in panic attacks or anxiety attacks, when put in unknown environments or outdoors in general. People with agoraphobia typically avoid places where there is no way to escape or they feel trapped. This can lead to people with agoraphobia only feeling safe when in their own household. They tend to avoid places that are unfamiliar to them and can fear being surrounded by people. In extreme cases, people with agoraphobia can never leave the house for weeks, months, or sometimes even years. This can make it extremely difficult or even impossible to go to work or school, maintain relationships, and be able to do basic chores and activities.

Agoraphobia can be difficult to explain to family, friends, and peers since agoraphobia isn’t very commonly known. While agoraphobia symptoms can be scary, there are certain therapeutic techniques and self-help practices that can alleviate symptoms of this disorder.

What Causes Agoraphobia?

It is unknown what causes agoraphobia. Life stressors, genetics, and personality can all play a role in someone developing this disorder. Better Health states that agoraphobia can develop over a period of time, usually starting with a major life event, for example, loss of a job or loss of a relationship, as the overwhelming stress from the event starts can spiral into agoraphobia. At first, symptoms might be less noticeable, as people often start by avoiding only certain places. However, over time, agoraphobia can get more severe and start making it difficult to be outdoors or in public spaces at all. While psychologists still do not understand what causes agoraphobia, there is a potential genetic component that can be passed down through generations.

How Common is Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is a relatively common disorder. Webmd states that up to 2% of the population could be struggling with agoraphobia each year. However, this number might be inaccurate and potentially higher as people often mask their symptoms, might not know they suffer from this condition, and are unable to seek help.

Agoraphobia vs. Social Anxiety

While symptoms of agoraphobia and social anxiety symptoms can look similar, there are certain distinctions between these two disorders. They both involve the intense fear of outdoor situations. However, agoraphobia is more about the fear of the environment and being stuck somewhere, while social anxiety is the fear of the people there and the fear of being judged.

Agoraphobia and COVID-19

Due to the nature of COVID-19, the pandemic is seen to have caused an increase in agoraphobia cases and made the symptoms of agoraphobia worsen for many people. As a society, we were all isolated for long periods. This type of isolation could cause individuals to become anxious about the outside world and make them reclusive. MDLinx also found that COVID-19 triggered people who already recovered from agoraphobia symptoms to start struggling with the disorder all over again. During COVID-19, many patients with agoraphobia stated that because they were forced to remain indoors at all times, their agoraphobia worsened.

Even though the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted for a while now, individuals could still be feeling the effects of COVID-19 and isolation today. A reason for that is that we have shifted almost all essential activities, such as work, school, and grocery shopping, majorly online post-pandemic. There is no longer a ‘need’ to step outside the home, making it easier to fall into a cycle of self-isolation.

Agoraphobia Symptoms

While agoraphobia symptoms can look different in every individual, here are a few common symptoms of this disorder:

Panic attacks in fearful environments
Feeling unsafe in certain or new environments
Unable to leave the house or safe spaces
Unable to get to work or participate in activities due to fear of the outside
Not being able to function and perform routine tasks due to this fear
These symptoms last six months or longer

Panic attacks are extremely common in those with agoraphobia. Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear that can manifest both mentally and physically. Panic attacks usually last a couple of minutes to sometimes even an hour. If you are uncertain what a panic attack looks like, here are a few common symptoms:

Feeling shaky
Trouble breathing
Dizziness
Pounding heart
Chest and/or stomach pain
Sweating or chills
Feeling out of control
Feeling as if you are about to die
And more

Getting Diagnosed with Agoraphobia

Now that you understand what agoraphobia is, the symptoms can be easier to spot. If you believe that you or a loved one could have agoraphobia and wish to be diagnosed, the first step is to talk to a therapist or healthcare provider. A professional can assess your agoraphobia symptoms and help you figure out if you do have agoraphobia and if so, the next best steps to help you.

The Cleveland Clinic states to be diagnosed with Agoraphobia, you need to experience extreme panic or fear in at least two of these places:

Public Transportation
Open spaces
An enclosed or small space
Crowds or lines
Being away from home

Agoraphobia Treatment

To help treat agoraphobia, there are many steps an individual can take. The most productive agoraphobia treatment is getting professional help from a therapist. However, there are many self-help steps individuals can also take. Below are different types of agoraphobia treatments and some lifestyle choices that can help cope with agoraphobia.

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, is a typical one-on-one therapeutic setting with the individual and the therapist. In a safe and compassionate space, individuals can open up about the issues that have been affecting them. After the therapist gets to know the client and their problems better, the pair can then work together to come up with coping strategies. With agoraphobia treatment, the therapist can dive deeper into why the fear is happening and help the patient gradually feel more comfortable going into intimidating environments. If a patient is struggling to meet in-person with a therapist due to their agoraphobia, virtual sessions can be an effective solution.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that is known for helping treat many mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders. CBT helps clients develop a certain skill set to transform negative thoughts and behaviors, challenge one’s fears, and recognize unhealthy thinking and behavior patterns. With agoraphobia treatment, CBT can help pinpoint the irrational fears associated with certain environments and challenge those fears with realistic expectations. CBT is typically a short-term treatment that takes around 12-20 weeks, however, the length of time depends on the individual needs.

Exposure Therapy

When people are struggling with agoraphobia, they avoid certain places due to extreme fear. Exposure therapy is an agoraphobia treatment that improves avoidance behaviors by familiarizing clients with fearful situations. By gradually exposing clients to stressful situations, they can learn how to cope with scary feelings and slowly feel more confident. Exposure therapy starts out slow, with only being engaged with fearful stimuli for a short time, then gradually increasing the time of exposure. Clients will also learn therapeutic techniques to help them throughout the process and manage intense emotions.

Medications

Medications can also be used to help alleviate agoraphobia symptoms. One common medication used for this disorder is anti-depressants, the main one being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Another common medication for agoraphobia is anxiety medication. These medicines should only be taken after discussing the treatment plan and prescription with a trusted psychiatrist. For the best outcome on medication for agoraphobia treatment, medication is typically paired with therapy session.

Relaxation Exercises

Along with therapy, there are relaxation techniques to use outside of sessions that can help manage anxiety. These can differ depending on the person, but some techniques include breathing exercises, meditation practices, or practicing a soothing activity/hobby. Working with a therapist can help individuals find which relaxing techniques work best for them and how to use them in daily practice.

Next Steps

Having agoraphobia can feel isolating and scary, however, you do not have to go through this journey alone. Seeking professional help through therapy or medication can help alleviate symptoms for those struggling with mental health disorders. Trust Mental Health has compassionate and welcoming team of therapists, who speak over 18 languages. You can start your journey today, virtually or in-person, all over California.

Key Points

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder where people fear public places and oftentimes try to avoid them.
Agoraphobia is linked with panic attacks and many people struggled with the disorder during COVID-19
There are many therapeutic interventions to help cope with agoraphobia, for example, talk therapy, CBT, exposure therapy, medications, and relaxation techniques.

FAQs

Is Agoraphobia a Disability?

Agoraphobia can be considered a disability. A person can be disabled from agoraphobia due to not being able to go to work, or school, and being unable to function in society. However, agoraphobia isn’t inherently a disability and might or might not qualify someone for disability benefits.

Can Agoraphobia be Cured?

Agoraphobia can go away and is seen as a treatable condition. With the correct therapeutic services, agoraphobia symptoms can no longer affect an individual. However, it’s important to put in the work and understand that it’s okay if it doesn’t fully go away.

How does Agoraphobia Develop?

Agoraphobia can develop in a multitude of ways. It often starts with a person experiencing multiple panic attacks, then developing anticipatory anxiety around the places they had the panic attacks. Agoraphobia can also stem from other anxiety disorders, stressful life events, or past trauma resurfacing.

What is Agoraphobia?