Agoraphobia
What is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder, brought on by the fear of experiencing panic attacks in a setting which appears to provide no means of escape. Sufferers become anxious in unfamiliar environments where it is perceived that they have little or no control, such as in crowds, wide open spaces or when travelling. As a consequence, those suffering from agoraphobia avoid public places, and in severe cases, may become confined to their home.
What are the symptoms?
Agoraphobics will often experience panic attacks, periods of intense anxiety which have no obvious trigger to an outsider, in an environment in which they feel outside of their comfort zone.
Who does it affect?
It is estimated that there are up to five million agoraphobia sufferers in the UK, and is approximately twice as common in women as it is in men. This gender difference has been attributed to a number of theories. Women are said to display a greater expression of avoidant coping strategies whereas men will abuse alcohol as a reaction to the anxiety and their initial condition will be disguised by an alcohol addiction. A popular theory, as is the case with many mental health conditions, is that women are more likely to seek help. However, research has not identified one overriding explanation for the gender difference.
Why does it occur?
The cause of agoraphobia is unknown, however it is often associated with other anxiety disorders, a stressful environment or substance misuse.
Researchers have found links between agoraphobia and having difficulties in spatial awareness. While many people are able to combine their balance and sense of space, with their visual system, and integrate that information with the relative position of the parts of the body, many agoraphobics have been found to have a weakened system of balance and space which causes an imbalance so that they rely on visual or tactile signals. As a result, they become disorientated in wide open spaces because visual cues are not as prevalent, or they can become overwhelmed in crowded environments.
The majority of agoraphobia sufferers will be diagnosed as a result of panic attacks. The sufferer will identify situations in which they are not comfortable and go to extreme lengths to avoid such environments.
How Priory can help
Priory has been helping to treat agoraphobia for over 25 years. We know that everyone's situation is different, which is why we ensure that everyone has a unique treatment plan tailored to their needs.
The type and length of treatment is dependent on the individual's circumstances and the severity of the condition. Some patients are treated as out-patients, which means they come to Priory for hourly sessions with their consultant, psychologist or therapist. Others require a more structured treatment approach which can include staying at one of the Priory hospitals for the duration of their treatment where they take part in the psychological group programme as well as regular sessions with their consultant.
For more information or to request an initial assessment, please call 0845 2 PRIORY (0845 2 774679) or email info@priorygroup.com. To view a list of the Priory hospitals that can help with agoraphobia please click here.
For more support
If you feel you may be affected by agoraphobia and would like help or more information, you can ask your GP or contact any of the following organisations.
First Steps to Freedom
www.first-steps.org
0845 120 2916
Triumph over Phobia
www.triumphoverphobia.com
0845 600 9601
No Panic
www.nopanic.org.uk
0808 808 0545
The Samaritans
www.samaritans.co.uk
08457 909090
If you are interested in receiving treatment from us, your GP will be able to refer you.