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Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia means that that a person has a
continuous fear of situations that one thinks are
difficult to escape from or get help in if a panic
attack occurs. Agoraphobic situations are avoided
or tolerated despite strong fear or distress.
Avoidances of agoraphobic situations often lead to
suffering and limitations in everyday life
(occupational, social etc). Often a large array of
situations are avoided. Agoraphobia is usually
developed as a consequence of a panic disorder. It
is usually easier to confront these situations
together with a person with whom one feels safe
with.
Fear and avoidance in a certain situation is
particularly strong when the expectation is high
that a panic attack will occur, when the
consequence is thought to be particularly severe,
and when one doesn't think that one can handle the
situation effectively. Since agoraphobia is defined
as a fear of situations in which one can suffer
from a panic attack even fear of subtle stimuli
that trigger a strong fear be viewed as other forms
of agoraphobia. Some examples includes the use of
various substances (for example coffee, physical
training, movies that elicit feelings, moisture or
humid environments, sexual intercourse etc.).
If an agoraphobia becomes severe one can become
increasingly dependent on ones relatives or friends
in order to manage everyday life. More demands can
be put on these people to follow the agoraphobic
when he/she leaves the home or is going to a social
gathering.
Examples of agoraphobic situations are stores,
standing in lines, people gatherings, small
rooms/tunnels, bridges, car trips, flight trips,
visits to a doctor or a dentist, busses, subways,
trains, movie theaters, arenas, restaurants,
elevators, open spaces (parks, parking lots
etc.
© Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) specialist in
Stockholm, 2005-2008, www.kbterapi.se
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