Phobia Treatment Program

Why am I having a hard time leaving my house?

Agoraphobia is defined as avoiding or having an extreme anxiety about being in situations or places where it may be difficult or embarrassing to escape quickly. Being in these situations may trigger a panic attack. People who suffer from agoraphobia avoid settings where they may not be able to escape or where there will not be anyone available to help them in case they have a panic attack. Agoraphobia affects up to 5 percent of the population in the United States at some point during their life. There is a higher incidence of this disorder in women, Native Americans and people who have been separated, divorced or widowed.

Symptoms of agoraphobia typically have an onset in adolescence or early adulthood. Some of the symptoms are a fear of being alone or in crowded public places. Agoraphobics often create a cocoon of people around them with whom they feel comfortable and safe. They may develop an overly dependent relationship with these people. Physical symptoms of agoraphobia include lightheadedness, dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, trouble swallowing or breathing and rapid heart beat which may lead to chest pain.

Agoraphobia is thought to be related to and caused by panic attack disorder. People who suffer from panic disorder avoid situations where they have experienced these attacks previously, thereby leading to a fear of those places or situations. There is research that agoraphobia affects more than one member of a family. There also may be genetic factors which contribute to the development and onset of agoraphobia.

Since agoraphobia can lead to depression, anxiety disorders, feelings of helplessness and even suicidal tendencies, seeking assistance through a phobia treatment program will help the person understand and overcome their fears. Many phobia treatment programs recognize that patients may be unable to attend appointments in their offices. For this reason, mental health professionals of a phobia treatment program may provide initial treatment at the home of the patient. Phobia treatment programs use varied forms of therapy, sometimes combining these therapies with medications, to treat agoraphobia. Psychotherapeutic interventions include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, hypnosis, meditation, biofeedback and Emotional Freedom Techniques, which is also called “”emotional acupuncture.”" Patients looking for a phobia treatment program Los Angeles clinic have numerous options available to them. One such phobia treatment program Los Angeles clinic advertises E-Therapy as a treatment option. This therapy uses software programs that are interactive for the user. Studies indicate that this type of therapy may be more effective than more conventional therapy in treating agoraphobia, since the user does not initially have to leave their home to partake in the treatment.