Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety which is specific to fear of being in public places or enclosed settings. People who are agoraphobic are constantly worrying about how they could escape in their surroundings if something bad were to happen. This can lead people to having anxiety attacks in public because their mind is coming up with many different situations of how something could go wrong at any moment. For some individuals, this can become so bad that they feel they are unable to leave their own house. This is difficult to cope with for any individual who has this disorder. As human beings we have needs and responsibilities that require us to leave our house, so this disorder can be difficult to cope with if there’s a fear of doing that. However, this form of anxiety is treatable with psychotherapy and medication. If you choose to attend therapy for agoraphobia you will likely be enrolled in exposure therapy, in which you will confront your fears and visit places that may stimulate anxiety attacks. By repeatedly confronting your fear and realizing that your thoughts are taking over negatively and making you anxious, you will become more comfortable going out into public places that you used to fear. Another form of therapy you could experience in cognitive behavioral therapy in which you would discuss with a therapist why you’re anxious and you can work together to get to the root of the issue and find a solution. If you or someone you know is struggling with agoraphobia don’t be afraid to reach out for help this is extremely difficult to cope with.
Agoraphobia explained
