Agoraphobia

STEREOTYPES & REASONS FOR AVOIDING TREATMENT

• Like any disorder, treatment means facing your fears, something that is very difficult to achieve when you are afraid to be in public locations and often require constant attention.
• Embarrassment and fear can often prohibit individuals from seeking help
• stereotyping that often occurs is that mothers are more likely to be blamed for their children's agoraphobia development than fathers (sex-role stereotyping)

where to find help & TREATMENT

COMMON TREATMENTS:

• cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which is used to improve thought and behavioral processes
• antidepresent medicines called "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)" which interfere with brain chemicals causing anxiety

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:

The Lake Shore Center for Behavioral Health

Heart of Texas Counseling Center

National Institute of Mental Health

866-615-6464

www.nimh.nih.gov

Providence Mental Health Center

Agoraphobia

POSSIBLE CAUSES

• Agorabphobia is the "anxiety and intense fear of any situation where escape may be difficult, or where help may not be available. "
• For example, the anxiety disorder could lead to a fear of public locations and transport, bridges, or any location far from home or areas with no visible exits.

• No concrete causes for Agorabphobia have been established, but a variety of factors are thought to be involved, including:

-areas of the brain controlling fear

-environmental issues

-genetics

UNITED STATES STATISTICS

www.psychologyandbehavior.com

• Agoraphobia is often triggered after the individual has one or more panic attacks. The panic attacks lead the person to try and anticipate future attacks, and thus fear situations in which they might occur.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Common Symptoms

FEARS

FAQ'S, CELEBRITIES, & OTHER MISELLANEOUS

FEELINGS

• alone time
• open spaces
• crowded spaces
• losing control
• death
• places with no exits

• raised heart rate
• palpitations
• tremors
• sweating
• dry mouth
• nausea
• chest/stomach pains
• headaches
• quickened breathing
• stomach feels tied in knots
• choking
• blushing and chills

CELEBRITIES:

• distancing one's self
• helplessness
• irritation
• loss of control
• issues with reality

-Chef Paula Deen

-Kim Basinger

-Woody Allen

• Agoraphobia typically becomes present between the ages of 25 and 35, and unless treated, will be a lifelong problem.
• Double the number of women are diagnosed compared to men
• More than 200,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S

REMINDERS:

• Unless treated, this disorder will be a lifelong problem
• someone with Agoraphobia is know as a Agoraphobic
• While it can't be cured, treatment may help
• A considerable number of people with this disorder experienced the loss of a loved one

xagamus.deviantart.com

www.iranpsy.ir

ONLINE RESOURCES

• "Agoraphobia - Diagnosis & Treatment Options. Phobias Info | Patient." Agoraphobia. Patient, n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2016. <http://patient.info/health/agoraphobia-leaflet>. This source was extremely helpful because it gave a great variety of information, from symptoms to treatment. I appreciated that it showed clinical trials and gave accurate information.

• "Agoraphobia Among Adults." NIMH RSS. NIMH, n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2016. <http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/agoraphobia-among-adults.shtml>. The National Institute for Mental Health was very informative in the way it presented information. I used this website mainly for its graphs, a colorful way to present key facts. The uses are not limited here, for it makes knowledge easily accessible.

• McIntosh, James. "What Is Agoraphobia? What Causes Agoraphobia?" Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 5 Aug. 2015. Web. 08 Jan. 2016. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162169.php>. This website has an entire team dedicated to analyzing different conditions. I really liked how the source covered every aspect of the disorder.

Agoraphobia

BY HANNAH SRIRAM