What is agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is a form of anxiety disorder where a person feels uneasy about stepping out of environments they find secure. In more serious cases, people may come to view their home as the only safe space.
Coping with agoraphobia can mean avoiding leaving the comfort of home for extended periods, sometimes lasting days, months, or even years. If you or someone you know is dealing with agoraphobia, seeking support and professional guidance can make a significant difference in managing and overcoming this challenge.
If you experience a panic attack in a specific situation or environment, you might develop agoraphobia. It could be triggered by going through stressful events, such as bereavement, divorce or losing your job.
A history of mental illnesses, including depression and eating disorders, along with alcohol or drug misuse, can all impact the likelihood of someone developing agoraphobia. Being in an unhappy relationship or one where your partner is very controlling may also play a role in its onset.
Agoraphobia is twice as common in women as men.
It usually starts between the ages of 18 and 35
1 1⁄2 million people in the UK are affected by agoraphobia.
What causes it?
Agoraphobia can be connected to environmental factors. This includes exposure to stress-inducing events like the loss of a parent or experiencing physical assault. Additionally, being raised in an environment marked by insufficient warmth and excessive overprotection could contribute to the development of agoraphobia.
What are the symptoms & effects
There are three different types of agoraphobia symptoms.
Physical Symptoms
These mirror panic attack symptoms and you might experience them in situations that make you feel anxious. Your symptoms could include a rapid heartbeat, hyperventilation, sweating, nausea, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, diarrhoea, trembling, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and a sense of faintness. Many people with agoraphobia deliberately avoid these situations to minimise such physical symptoms.
Cognitive Symptoms
These feelings and thoughts may or may not be related to any physical symptoms. You could be fearful of embarrassment during a panic attack, concerned about life-threatening outcomes, worried about escaping from somewhere during an attack, fearful of losing control in public, or concerned about trembling or blushing. Psychological symptoms unrelated to panic attacks may also include a dependency on others, fear of being alone (monophobia), and a constant sense of anxiety or dread.
Behavioural Symptoms
Linked to agoraphobia, these include avoiding panic-triggering situations like crowded places, public transport or queues. As a result, you may become housebound for extended periods, need a trusted person with you when leaving the house and avoid being far from home. Even when confronting challenges, people with agoraphobia often experience significant fear and anxiety.
How can agoraphobia be managed?
If you experience a panic attack:
- You should stay where you are. If you are driving, pull over safely.
- Breathe slowly and deeply to prevent escalation.
- Accept the attack without resistance, reassuring yourself that it’s not life-threatening.
- Focus on something non-threatening, like the time passing or items in a supermarket, reminding yourself that the panic will pass.
- You can challenge your fears by recognising they’re not real. Use creative visualisation, replacing negative thoughts with a peaceful mental image. You could picture:
- A tranquil sunrise over a calm lake, casting a warm and golden glow across the water.
- A serene meadow filled with wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze.
- A clear night sky dotted with countless stars, creating a peaceful celestial panorama.
- A cascading waterfall, with its rhythmic flow producing a soothing and calming sound.
- A gentle river winding its way through quiet countryside, reflecting the surrounding nature in its still waters.
Consider lifestyle changes to lessen the impact of panic attacks:
- Engage in regular activities like exercise to reduce stress. This could be anything that gets you sweating lightly and a bit out of breath – it’s not about training for the Olympics.
- Maintain a healthy diet for overall well-being. Having a good and healthy diet is beneficial for both your physical and mental health.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol as they worsen symptoms. We know self-medication reduces symptoms in the very short term, however, in the long term the use of alcohol or drugs exacerbates all symptoms.
- Steer clear of caffeine in tea, coffee or cola, as it can intensify symptoms. We aren’t saying you need to abstain, but if you can at least reduce your intake it will help.
If self-help methods aren’t doing enough for your agoraphobia or it starts interfering with your lifestyle, preventing you from doing the things you enjoy or getting in the way of your daily duties, it’s time to consider seeking professional help.
Mental health professionals can provide you with tailored therapeutic approaches and support while guiding you through more specific and effective coping strategies. Reach out for specialised help to regain control over your life and work towards a healthier, more fulfilling existence.
How can hypnotherapy for agoraphobia help?
Agoraphobia hypnosis serves as a simple yet effective means to reduce anxiety. This is achieved through relaxation and visualisation. It encourages a shift in perspective and enables you to concentrate on the positive aspects of your life.
As you work collaboratively with a solution focused hypnotherapist for agoraphobia, you can address confidence and self-esteem issues. Additionally, it proves beneficial in tackling symptoms of stress, low mood, and anxiety, reducing the symptoms associated with agoraphobia.
In some situations, medication may be employed alongside solution focused hypnotherapy for agoraphobia as a comprehensive approach to alleviating symptoms.
Our Agoraphobia Specialists
Benn Baker-Pollard
Sittingbourne
Carmen Harrington
Market Harborough
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Chris Johannes
Spalding
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone East
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Peter Ely
Islington
Victoria Anderson
Sunderland
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
