Agoraphobia

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Agoraphobia is a condition where you have a strong fear of being in certain places or situations. You fear being in places or situations where it may be hard to escape. You also fear not being able to find help if you have panic-like symptoms while in these places. Panic-like symptoms may occur when you suddenly get very anxious for no known reason. These include dizziness, diarrhea, trouble breathing, fast heartbeats, chest pain, shakiness, and feeling like you will lose control. You fear you will be embarrassed or unable to function because of these panic-like symptoms. Your fears may make it hard for you to work or be involved in activities you enjoy. When you do try going into a feared place or situation, you do so with great distress.
  
  
• Your caregiver will look at all your signs and symptoms to decide if you have agoraphobia. Your caregiver will ask about your health history, behavior, and fears and worries. Tell your caregiver if other family members have had anxiety disorders or other mental problems. Tests may be done to check for medical conditions that could be causing your panic or physical symptoms. Medicines may be used to help treat symptoms of anxiety or depression (deep sadness). Exposure therapy (facing your feared object), and other therapies may be used to treat your condition. When you have agoraphobia, you may also have other anxiety disorders. Treating your agoraphobia may help you control your fear and anxiety, and improve your quality of life.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Self-care:

• Keep a diary of how you feel when you face your fear. Write down any signs and symptoms you have, including what you did to cope when facing your fear. The diary will help you and your caregiver see if your fear lessens over time. Take your diary with you every time you visit your caregiver.
  
  
• Learn more about agoraphobia. Ask caregivers where to find more information about your condition. Ask him for the names of books that might help you manage fear and anxiety. The more you know about your condition, the better you can help yourself.
  
  
• Learn ways to control your own anxiety. Avoid drinking alcohol, using drugs, or smoking to control your anxiety. Practice the ways you have learned to cope with your fear during therapy. Bringing someone you trust with you when facing your fears may help you cope better. Talk to your caregiver if you are having trouble controlling your anxiety.

Therapies:

• Cognitive behavior therapy: This is also called CBT. With CBT, your caregiver helps you understand your condition and find ways to control your fear. He will help you learn which thoughts bring anxiety, and how to change them and work through them.
  
  
• Exposure therapy: Exposure or desensitization therapy helps you face a feared object, person, or situation. Fantasy (not real) or real-life situations are used with this therapy. The goal of desensitization therapy is to help decrease your fear or anxiety.
  
  
• Relaxation therapy: Relaxation therapy teaches you how to calm your body and mind. The goal is to feel less physical (body) stress and have less emotional (mind) stress.

For support and more information:

Having agoraphobia may be hard. Your condition may make you feel angry, sad, or guilty. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Join a support group with other people who have agoraphobia. Contact the following for more information:

• Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)
  8730 Georgia Avenue, Suite 600
  Silver Spring , MD 20910
  Phone: 1- 240 - 485-1001
  Web Address: http://www.adaa.org
  

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Public Information & Communication Branch
  6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
  Bethesda , MD 20892-9663
  Phone: 1- 301 - 443-4513
  Phone: 1- 866 - 615-6464
  Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You are not sleeping, or are sleeping all the time.
  
  
• You cannot make it to your next meeting with your caregiver.
  
  
• You have new symptoms since you last saw your caregiver.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have problems that you think may be caused by the medicine you are taking.
  
  
• You suddenly have trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat.
  
  
• You think about hurting or killing yourself (suicide).
  
  
• Your fears keep you from doing tasks such as work, or caring for yourself or your family.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Agoraphobia (Discharge Care)