Tag Archives: Panic Disorder

Understand Agoraphobia And Prevent It Effectively

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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Panic Attacks – How Melissa Suffers From Agoraphobia!

Melissa remembers her first panic attack like it was yesterday. She was coming home from work as usual on the 5:32 train. She was reviewing her to do list for the weekend and thinking about a presentation she had to give at work on Monday. 

While her obligations were many, going to her daughter´s play, arranging catering for her husband´s birthday the following weekend, making baked goods for the school bazaar and getting this work presentation done that cropped up at the last minute, they were no more than usual. She decided to pick up some food for dinner on the way home and went to the supermarket.   
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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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Agoraphobia – A Prevalent And Problematic Anxiety Disorder!

About 5% of the American population struggles with this potentially very severe and disturbing anxiety disorder. It has the power to disrupt lives, ruin careers, tear apart families and turn you into a recluse. Of course, this problem comes in many degrees of severity and while your life may not have been shattered, it has certainly been inconvenienced.

The term agoraphobia means a fear of open spaces. However, this is not the essence of this problem. For people suffering from this condition, what they really fear is having a panic attack in a place where assistance is limited, unavailable or embarrassing to obtain.

The unpredictability of anxiety attacks creates a disturbing chain of events that leaves sufferers fearful of exposing themselves to situations where attacks will take place. Read more »

Panic Attacks Agoraphobia Really Boils Down To Being Afraid Of Panic Attacks!

Agoraphobia is a very common anxiety disorder. It affects roughly 1 in 20 Americans in varying forms and degrees. The only disorder more common is alcoholism. This type of anxiety is fear based. You are afraid that you will be caught in a situation where it will be difficult or embarrassing to leave quickly if you have a panic attack.

Agoraphobia and panic attacks are really necessary companions because it really boils down to being afraid of attacks.

It is a condition that usually develops following panic. Since the panic was so frightening and made you so anxious you avoid situations that you associate with the potential to cause another attack.

Avoidance becomes a way of life and fear your middle name. People suffering from agoraphobia tend to avoid situations where escape would be difficult or embarrassing in the event of a panic attack.

For example, sufferers tend to avoid grocery stores, department stores and restaurants. Read more »

Panic Attacks – What Are Some Of The Symptoms And Effects Of Agoraphobia?

Before we can learn how to manage and reduce your agoraphobia, we need to learn to identify the symptoms and decide whether this is the particular phobia or anxiety you are dealing with. 

To begin with a phobia is an excessive fear. We are all afraid of things; sharks, monsters, Frankenstein, the monster in the closet. A phobia isn´t this type of fear but rather an excessive fear of a specific object, circumstance or situation that interferes with your life.

Our general, transitory fears don´t become constant threats. Read more »

Panic Attacks – How Can I Overcome My Agoraphobia And What Are My Treatments?

Treating agoraphobia is difficult because you have to face your fears and who wants to do that?

The best way to confront it is a two-part program called cognitive behavior therapy. Cognitive behavior therapy seeks to help you understand the origins of your fear and face that fear head on.

By learning the factors that trigger your particular panic attacks and how to control them you can work with breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to help you battle through the symptoms or prevent them altogether.

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Panic Attacks – Why Do I Have Agoraphobia And Panic Attacks?

The feelings associated with both panic attacks and agoraphobia can be overwhelming. Understanding the origin of your feelings and why they seem to be so disproportionate to those around you is a crucial part of managing and controlling your disorder.

Agoraphobia is caused by one or a combination of genetics and biology, life experiences and your temperament. That´s not to say you have defective genetics or a bad personality but simply things present in your biology and temperament make you more likely to experience it.

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Agoraphobia – How to Overcome the Problem?

Agoraphobia has been often misinterpreted as a fear of open spaces. However, in real it is a type of anxiety related disorder. It is termed as Agoraphobia because the fear experienced by the patient is associated with situations that are not in control and provides absolutely no place for escaping. This ultimately leads to a patient holding up on a secure space such as their home. Hence, the misconception of fear related to markets and open spaces has been highlighted.

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