Agoraphobia comes from Greek words meaning “marketplace” and “fear.” Agoraphobia, characterized by a person’s fear of fear, is actually a form of social anxiety disorder. People avoid specific circumstances that offer no chance of escape when diagnosed with agoraphobia. In addition, diagnosed patients also avoid places such as malls, airports and markets, especially when these places are large and unfamiliar. In most cases agoraphobia patients see their home as the only “safe place,” restricting their activity.
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Tag Archives: Panic Disorder
CBT And NLP For Agoraphobia
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is considered to be extremely effective in helping people to overcome panic disorders, and this can usually be achieved within 8 sessions. I use CBT at my practice in Hertfordshire and have found it very useful in treating agoraphobia, particularly when used in conjunction with a newer cognitive therapy, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).
This article details some of the ways in which CBT and NLP are used during NLP Herts to help clients achieve freedom from agoraphobia.
1. Cognitive Therapy - At NLP and CBT Herts, people are supported to identify and change the distorted thinking patterns that maintain anxiety. Behind panic attacks and anxiety are negative thoughts. These thoughts alone cannot cause anxiety, but the belief that they are true does cause anxiety.
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Agoraphobia Story: Finding a Purpose Greater Than Fear
Since I recovered from panic disorder and agoraphobia, people often ask me what the major turning point in my recovery was. There were many turning points, but if I had to choose just one, I would pick the night I made a deal with God in one of my darkest hours of fear. That’s because it changed the orientation of my life.
I wasn’t sure if you can really make a deal with God, but I didn’t care. In complete and utter desperation, I prayed to God that if I could be freed from suffering and have my normal life back, I would use whatever abilities God gave me in the service of other people. I told God that if I were made well, my purpose in life would be to help others in times of suffering. Though I didn’t know it then, this change in purpose made all the difference.
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