Panic Attacks - What Are Some Of The Symptoms And Effects Of Agoraphobia?

By Author: Bertil Hjert
Total Articles: 114
Comment this article

Before we can learn how to manage and reduce your agoraphobia, we need to learn to identify the symptoms and decide whether this is the particular phobia or anxiety you are dealing with.

To begin with a phobia is an excessive fear. We are all afraid of things; sharks, monsters, Frankenstein, the monster in the closet. A phobia isn´t this type of fear but rather an excessive fear of a specific object, circumstance or situation that interferes with your life.

Our general, transitory fears don´t become constant threats. I might be afraid to go in the water after watching a Jaws movie marathon but I get over it, go swimming with my daughter and don´t let the idea of sharks eating me enter my every waking thought and dominate my actions.

Agoraphobia is a specific phobia of having a panic attack in a public place. If you have it, here are some of the symptoms you might be experiencing:

1. Fear of being alone
2. Fear of being in a crowded place such as a ballpark, theater or mall.
3. Fear of losing control and looking foolish in a public place
4. Fear of being in places ...
... where it is hard to leave quickly, such as a friend´s car, an elevator, a cruise.
5. You are unable to leave your house for long periods or at all
6. You feel helpless
7. You are very dependent on other people
8. You feel disconnected from your body

You may only experience a few of these symptoms or all of them but these feelings can be crippling and signal that your panic attacks have triggered agoraphobia. This is a very common problem and many people who have frequent or even just one isolated panic attack can develop agoraphobia.

Since panic attacks are the underlying problem of this condition, you will probably also experience some if not all of the symptoms panic attack sufferers deal with such as:

Being lightheaded
Difficulty breathing or trouble swallowing
Excessive sweating
dizziness
A rapid heart beat
You might get easily flushed, nauseous or have an upset stomach or diarrhea
You could also feel chest pain or a loss of control

Agoraphobia can strike in a variety of extremes. Some agoraphobics are so affected by the pervasiveness of their fear and anxiety that they are unable to leave their homes. In less severe forms it can still have a very detrimental impact on your life.

Some agoraphobics are unable to drive long distances, drive too far from their homes or even get into a car. At the most basic level, the typical sufferer will have anxiety about being away from their safe person, your spouse, parent, friend or anyone you have a strong bond with.

Another characteristic of the disorder is anxiousness. The anxiety stems from the phobia you feel about being caught in certain situations.

If your phobia manifests as the inability to drive too far from home, what if someone asked you to go somewhere farther than you normally do? How would you explain your way out of it? What if you need to pick your child up at a far away friend´s house? What if you´re asked to meet up somewhere far way? What if you had a panic attack on the way? Who would help you? What would happen to the kids? Who would raise them? Would your husband remember they can´t snack before dinner?

The thoughts race on and on, fueling the anxiety. Battling the worry and making excuses to avoid your phobic situations just becomes exhausting and draining. The obsession over what ifs and the high state of worry and anxiety just add fuel to the panic attack and agoraphobic fire.
Download your free eBook "Stop Panic Attacks and Deal with Your Anxious Thoughts" here:
FREE REPORT

- From Bertil Hjert - The author of the PanicGoodbye-program. Read more about this brand new course at: PanicGoodbye Program