Agoraphobia and Panic Attacks

Agoraphobia and panic attacks often, but not always, go together.

We’ve already discussed what a panic attack is and explained that’s it’s one specific type of anxiety disorder.

Now let's consider the issue of agoraphobia. As you'll see, it sometimes goes along with panic attacks.

What Is Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia refers to a fear of places or situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing (in Greek, phobia means fear and an agora was a market or place of assembly).

People can have agoraphobia without suffering from panic attacks and they can have panic attacks without experiencing agoraphobia.

However, it is fairly common for someone with panic attacks to develop agoraphobia.  I think you can imagine why. 

The experience of a panic attack is terrifying.  A person with a panic attack develops a fear of having another one.  Said another way, they develop a fear of the fear.

A panic attack is bad anywhere, but a person suffering from one especially dreads having it in a situation where they feel trapped or where it would be especially embarrassing, like a public place.

Imagine the dread a person with an anxiety disorder might develop about, say, getting on a subway if they kept dwelling on the possibility of having an attack on a subway car filled with strangers in an underground tunnel with no way of getting out or withdrawing from the situation.

With fears like this, it’s understandable that the person might gradually start to avoid public places.  The exact pattern varies from person to person.

Some fear anything they’re alone outside their home.  Others fear being in a crowd.  Some people have even more specific fears, such as being in a train or on an elevator or a bridge.  Such specific fears are common if a person had a panic attack in a similar situation before.

Agoraphobia vs. Social Anxiety

It is of note that the agoraphobia of panic attacks is different than a social phobia or social anxiety.  People with panic attacks are often quite social and have no fear of people or social situations in themselves.  Their fear is of having a panic attack in a situation where they feel out of control or embarrassed.

The degree of trouble agoraphobia causes varies in severity.  In extreme cases the person exists as if they’re under house arrest, unable to find face any interaction outside their home.

Obviously, this state is best avoided.

Treatment

The treatment of agoraphobia and panic disorder generally follows the same lines as treatment of panic disorder alone.  As the person grows more confident in treatment and takes control over their situation the idea of being outside their home or in a previously avoided situation becomes less frightful.

As I talk about on other pages, medication can help as part of the treatment, especially in the early stages.  Long term, other therapies such as cognitive restructuring give the most durable relief. 

You can find my comments on a system that has helped tens of thousands of people with all forms of panic attacks on this page: Panic Away Review

Many people have had terrific success with this program and since it comes with an excellent guarantee there’s no risk to trying it.  However some people do do best working with a therapist.

I favor behavioral cognitive restructuring, but other approaches may work best for other people.  You might have to see a few therapists to find one that’s right for you.

Whatever approach you take, know that panic attacks and agoraphobia can be treated and you can look forward to leading a normal life in the company of other people.

Here's information on the system that can free you from panic attacks once and for all:

Panic Away System