Agoraphobia101

http://www.agoraphobia101.com

What is Agoraphobia?

Depending on the source that you use to find the definition of Agoraphobia, you may end up with several definitions?

The most common and what is used by the medical community are:

A-gor-a-phobia
agora-  meaning or referring to: open spaces or the open market.
Phobia- meaning or referring to: fear…

The definition is Greek in origin.
Since this is obviously an old (2000+years) an outdated definition I like to use my own definition?

The open market place doesn’t seem to fit anymore? Plus just being outside does not bring on Agoraphobia.  You can be agoraphobic and still enjoy being outside.

Being agoraphobic is the “fear” of going outside, or leaving your home, or residence.  Your fear of leaving the comfort of a certain place, or going to an un-comfortable place,  is the Fear that causes someone to become agoraphobic.  Not the place (like being outside).

So I hope you can see there is some truth to the standard definition.                 However, it just doesn’t fit today?

Agoraphobia is the “fear” of going out.
The “out” can be anywhere uncomfortable.

90% of us who become agoraphobic do so because of anxiety issues and or “Panic Attacks”.

Having too many panic problems or panic attacks that become more intense as time goes by, lead us to seek comfort. We start avoiding “going out”.
Comfort is usually home or where we live but can be anywhere we feel comfortable being.
For some of us that comfort zone can get very small?
Agoraphobia can be brought on by a host of factors.  The most common are:

1.   Panic attacks

2.   Unusual anxiety

3.   Normal anxiety that is prolonged or intensified

4.   PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder

5.   Sudden life changes (failing health, divorce, an accident, etc.)

6.   Stress

7.   Medications, foods or drugs

8.   And this list can go on. 

Regardless of the triggers or factors that brought on the Agoraphobia. It is the agoraphobia itself that is so difficult to treat?

Doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and other caregivers have answers to problems like depression and Anxiety but most all lack the skills to treat the agoraphobic.

When is the last time you heard of an agoraphobic finishing med school? 

I’m not being sarcastic here I just want you to think about that statement.
In my opinion the best help you can receive is from a fellow sufferer.

Remember, there are 6 million of us out here, and that is just the US alone.

If you have not read my website or newsletter, I hope you will take a minute to go there.
Just that letter alone will give you more incite as to how big and disabling this disorder can be.

Thank you,

Robert O’Donnell

http://www.agoraphobia101.com