Of all phobias, Agoraphobia may have one of the best stories. You see, for many years it was thought that Agoraphobia was very different from what its actual nature is. Agoraphobia means ‘fear of the market place,’ and was thought to be a specific situational phobia of going in public. However, we now know that the condition known as Agoraphobia is not a specific phobia or a social phobia, but something altogether different.

It would appear that Agoraphobia is a phobia of going in public or other activities like riding a bus or eating at a restaurant, but Agoraphobia is different. More than a fear of certain activities, Agoraphobia could be better defined as a fear of panic attacks. Because phobias and panic attacks are both somewhat irrational disorders, they can easily get out of control and make many people Agoraphobic.

Essentially the fear of having a panic attack is so great that people who begin having frequent panic attacks become hyper sensitive to the precursors for a panic attack, like increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and sweaty palms. Because of the irrationality of these disorders, a slight increase in heart rate, even if it is normal (from climbing stairs, drinking caffeine, etc.), will make them begin to worry that they may be having a panic attack. The thought of the panic attack is the trigger for Agoraphobia, which causes them to have an actual panic attack. As the panic attacks become more and more frequent, a person with Agoraphobia begins to worry also about the awkwardness of having a panic attack someplace that they cannot escape or will have to endure their panic attack in front of other people. This leads to increased panic attacks in places they are concerned about, which eventually leads to Agoraphobic people being hemmed in to certain areas and cause them to completely avoid many activities and places because of their fear of having a panic attack. Many Agoraphobic people are afraid of leaving their home, while even more severe cases limit people to only a few rooms in their house. Also in quite a few instances seek work at home.

Before Agoraphobia was recognized as its own distinct disorder, treatment was hit and miss, but now Agoraphobia can be treated with success. Treatment for Agoraphobia is typically twofold. Anti anxiety medication is usually prescribed to suppress and control the panic attacks. When the panic attacks are somewhat under control, the Agoraphobia sufferer can be shown how to deal with panic attacks when they come up, and they can slowly take on activities they normally would not dream of. One step people with Agoraphobia may do to conquer their fear is to induce panic attack symptoms, such as increased heart rate, and focus on convincing themselves that it is normal and they are not having a panic attack.

Fortunately for many people, Agoraphobia can now be treated as its own unique phobia, which allows Agoraphobia sufferers the peace of mind to leave their home without the constant fear that a panic attack will strike.

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