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Agoraphobia is a serious anxiety disorder that has been linked to the experience of anxiety and panic attacks. It ranges from extremely mild with it being barely noticeable to severe where it can seriously impacy a persons quality of life. What is Agoraphobia? In it's most basic analysis agoraphobia is a fear of open spaces, crowded spaces, public spaces and so on. On a more deeper level agoraphobia can lead to a feeling of fear should a person have to leave surroundings they are comfortable in such as the home environment. In its most extreme form agoraphobia can lead to panic attacks and lead to a person becoming housebound or extremely limited in getting out and about. Agoraphobia & Panic Attacks People who suffer from severe agoraphobia are subject to intense feelings of fear which can trigger an episode of panic or a panic attack. This can add to the anxiety and lead to a vicious circle of intensified agoraphobia and fear of panic due to the thoughts and emotions associated with agoraphobia. Essentially a person becomes their own prison keeper in living a constant cycle of fear, worried how they would cope should an attack take place when they're not in the comfort of a "safe zone". Just to note; when referring to "safe zone", this is simply a place in which a person feels safe from panic attacks. This ideology of a "safe zone" in the mind of someone suffering from agoraphobia is the first issue that needs to be addressed! Long-term this will only confine a person more and more, in fact the safe zone is nothing more than a myth sustained by the mind. Basically it's a learned and habitual process in which the person re-enforces their fearful thoughts by associating panic or "bad things happening" should they leave their safe zone. The truth is there is no safe zone! In the mind of the anxiety sufferer the "safe zone" is very real but the reality is that this is their mind dictating this and not really a reflection of the truth. Panic attacks aren't life threatening and experiencing one at home where you feel safe or outside where you don't is no different. The only difference is in the mind of the sufferer. If you are a genuine sufferer of severe agoraphobia fueled by panic and fear then this may have come as a surprise to you but I know first hand how terrifying it can be to step outside your safe zone without being overwhelmed with crippling fear. This article isn't intended to pinpoint coping strategies but more to look at the link between agoraphobia and panic as a means to get to the roots and seeing through the self created prison in the mind. Moving Forward Use the information laid out in this article to think about how you react to your anxiety, reinforce the belief that there is no safe zone, only the mind dictates this. I'm sure you will agree with me on one thing and that's that the only person who will be able to cure you of agoraphobia is YOU! Dealing with panic attacks and agoraphobia long-term is an ongoing process and will require effort but never give in to thinking you'll never be cured. It's a slow process, it was for me anyway but once you start making a break-through it's like a snow-ball effect and you'll soon be free of your crippling agoraphobia.
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