Agoraphobia Recurring panic attacks usually happen in public

Behavior therapy promises help with agoraphobia
Sudden panic attacks in public places, in large crowds, in the supermarket or the tram are characteristic of a so-called agoraphobia, which can increasingly restrict the freedom of movement of those affected, reports Dr. med. Frank Bergmann from the Professional Association of German Nerve Physicians (BVDN) on the subject portal "Neurologists and psychiatrists in the network". In some cases, according to the expert, the agoraphobia reaches a level that people are no longer able to leave the house. If signs of agoraphobia are present, Bergmann advises a psychiatrist, psychotherapist or neurologist to visit as soon as possible before the social life is severely impaired. Cognitive behavioral therapy promises good results here.

Agoraphobia is characterized by the fear of certain situations, such as having trouble "being in public places, entering supermarkets or shops, being in crowds, cinemas or confined space, or moving around on public transport alone ", Reports the subject portal" Neurologists and psychiatrists in the network ". This can lead to significant restrictions in everyday life and severely burden the social relationships of those affected. The specific, anxiety-provoking situations may differ significantly from person to person, whereby a common central aspect of many agoraphobic situations is "that escape from these situations does not seem immediately possible", explains Dr. med. miner.

"Those affected then feel the fear of being at the mercy of their fear in such situations, losing control of themselves and feeling physical symptoms that they perceive as life-threatening or embarrassing-shameful," says the BVDN expert. The phobics perceive fear in different ways. For example, some people could easily shop in the supermarket, but are not able to travel long distances by car alone. The respective anxiety-provoking situations are increasingly avoided over time due to the fears occurring Bergmann continues.

An agoraphobia does not often mean that those affected hardly leave the house. (Image: lassedesignen / fotolia.com)

Physical symptoms as part of the panic attacks
The first signs of phobia are often a panic disorder in the form of a first completely surprising panic attack, which can be accompanied by various physical symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and alienation. The pronounced (physical) symptoms of anxiety often lead to "the people concerned are dying, losing control or going crazy," reports the specialist portal "Neurologists and psychiatrists in the network". Not infrequently, sufferers would go to a doctor or the emergency room because of the physical discomfort, where, however, no physical cause for the attack can be found.

"As a result, they develop a fear of having another seizure," says Dr. Bergmann. This fear becomes a constant companion and the "fear of anticipation" leads to the fact that even the seizure-free time brings no rest and relaxation. "To control the fear and self-observation of the body then a lot of time and energy spent, which brings a constant tension with it," explains the expert. Although some sufferers would experience symptom-free disease phases for a long time, agoraphobia often returns in stronger form. An agoraphobia occurs in isolation but often in combination with a panic disorder.

Cognitive behavioral therapy promises good results
Of the social environment, the fears of those affected are often considered irrational, which can lead to incomprehension and rejection. Out of concern for such reactions, sufferers often withdraw and become increasingly socially isolated. Bergmann. In case of signs of agoraphobia, according to the expert, therefore, urgent help should be sought. "Cognitive behavioral therapy promises good results," Bergmann continues.

Already the education about the clinical picture, about the upswing processes of the arousal, the interpretation of physical anxiety symptoms and the role of the changed perception threshold of physical complaints could be very helpful. "A combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants is also possible, especially with severe symptoms," says Bergmann. According to the expert, about five percent of the population is affected by agoraphobia at least once in their lives, panic disorder occurs in about three percent of the general population. (Fp)