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Agoraphobia Psychotherapy

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Agoraphobia belongs to the category of anxiety disorders and is defined as the intense fear of staying in large, unfamiliar, crowded places, where escape is difficult. This phobia is associated with severe anxiety and panic attacks, the severity of which varies. – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Agoraphobia Psychotherapy


1
Agoraphobia Psychotherapy
2
Introduction
  • Agoraphobia belongs to the category of anxiety
    disorders and is defined as the intense fear of
    staying in large, unfamiliar, crowded places,
    where escape is difficult. This phobia is
    associated with severe anxiety and panic attacks,
    the severity of which varies. Specifically, in
    cases of moderate severity, the person may
    experience a panic attack if they cannot find a
    way to escape or a place to feel safe. In more
    severe cases, sufferers may remain locked in
    their homes.

3
Table of contents
  • What causes agoraphobia?
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnostic Criteria
  • Treatment
  • Psychotherapy

4
What causes agoraphobia?
  • About 1 of Americans suffer from agoraphobia,
    with women accounting for a higher percentage
    than men. The disorder usually occurs in people
    under the age of 35, with an average onset age of
    20 years. Agoraphobia can also be understood as a
    consequence of panic attacks, as people with
    panic attacks are likely to develop a phobia of
    experiencing a crisis in a public place without
    being able to escape.

5
  • This fear combined with the feeling of shame and
    the inability to escape can lead to the
    development of agoraphobia. However, as a
    disorder it does not always occur in combination
    with panic attacks. The factors that lead to its
    manifestation vary from person to person, which
    is the reason it is so difficult for researchers
    to find its universal causes. For example, some
    people may develop the disorder after exposure to
    a traumatic event or agoraphobia may occur in the
    context of post-traumatic stress disorder.

6
Symptoms
  • Agoraphobia affects the mental, physical and
    cognitive spheres of human existence. High blood
    pressure, abdominal pain during stress,
    difficulty breathing, nausea, and numbness are
    the most common physical symptoms.

7
  • On a cognitive level, it seems that confusion and
    disorganization of thought are more prevalent. A
    person suffering with agoraphobia can also stay
    in the house for prolonged period of time and
    usually clings on to other people of their
    immediate circle. The patient may be afraid to be
    left alone in unfamiliar places, not knowing how
    to escape, afraid that they may lose control or
    that they may go crazy.

8
  • It is also possible to experience
    depersonalization or derealisation. Patients
    often try hard to change and adjust their daily
    routine to avoid busy places or situations that
    may increase stress and anxiety. Around 1/3 of
    sufferers have difficulty leaving their home.

9
Diagnostic Criteria
  • One of the main changes made to the Diagnostic
    and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5)
    is the categorization of agoraphobia as a
    separate diagnostic entity. It is no longer
    associated with panic disorder, but is classified
    on its own.
  • More specifically, in DSM-5, agoraphobia was
    under panic disorder and could act as a
    determinant. However, in the new version of the
    classification system, if the criteria of both
    disorders are met, two diagnoses will be given.

10
  • In order for a person to be diagnosed with
    agoraphobia, they must feel intense fear or
    anxiety in at least two of the following
  • Being in an open space
  • Being in a public enclosed space (i.e. cinema,
    shop)
  • While in a crowd or waiting in line
  • Using public transport (i.e. train, bus)
  • Being out of home alone

11
Treatment
  • Treatment usually includes both psychotherapy and
    medication. Without treatment, only around 10 of
    people completely recover.

12
Psychotherapy
  • Within the therapeutic context, sufferers have
    the opportunity to talk about the fears, thoughts
    and the feelings that cause panic in order to
    discover ways to manage and to obtain their
    functionality. Through therapy, sufferers learn
    different thought and behavioral processes that
    lead to coping and improving the situation.

13
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) directly
    helps to replace dysfunctional thoughts, symptom
    management and stressful situations. Patients are
    finally able to recognize that the thoughts they
    are having are unlikely to actually happen. Over
    time, anxiety decreases and patients learn to
    understand and control their distorted view of
    stressful situations.

14
  • For people suffering with agoraphobia, taking the
    step to go to a therapists office is a
    challenge. In such cases, patients either opt for
    distance therapy, where the session is held via
    phone, video-chat or email, or home-based therapy
    where the session is held within the patients
    home. Members of the patients close environment
    also play an important role in avoiding critical
    or oppressive behaviour. Finally, the development
    of self-care methods, such as relaxation,
    avoidance of stressful situations, proper
    nutrition, good sleep and exercise can be
    particularly helpful in managing agoraphobia.

15
  • Agoraphobia can have a profound effect on a
    person's daily life. With proper treatment, one
    in three people eventually overcome agoraphobia
    and do not experience it again. About half have
    significant improvement, but may occasionally
    experience some minor symptoms of high blood
    pressure. However, about 1 in 5 people do not see
    any improvement and continue to live with these
    conditions. Early treatment is more likely to
    lead to positive results.

16
Contact Details
  • Business Name InnerSight Psychotherapy
  • Address 2174 Major MacKenzie Dr W, Maple, ON L6A
    3Y8 Canada
  • Phone Number (905) 553-9255
  • Website https//psychotherapyclinic.ca/our-approa
    ch/
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