Anxiety Disorders: Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the most common anxiety disorder, affirms Dr. Paula Levine, Psychologist and Founding Director of the Miami Counseling Resource Center. It is also the most frequent disorder she treats, too.
She considers statistics talk about 3 out of every 100 citizens have anxiety disorders.
The specialist explains agoraphobia means fear a panic attack in every life situation.

[Simon-iovx]

I have suffered with extreme anxiety for more than 10 years. I also suffer from very severe agoraphobia and in the last 10 years I have only left my home at least 5 times and that’s only at night under the cover of darkness. I’m literally terrified of people and even more scared of human contact and there doesn’t seem to be an end to it. I know the sensible thing would be to seek help but that’s easier said than done for someone in my situation with severe panic symptoms.

[adrianw]

If you don't suffer from it - you have no say!

[BlackLootersDontMatter]

Haven't left basement in 22 months. I drink vodka all day long to keep from killing myself. I need to get to a dr because im very sick

[firstborn]

Agoraphobia
Diagnostic Criteria 300.22 (F40.00)
A. Marked fear or anxiety about two (or more) of the following five situations:
1. Using public transportation (e.g., automobiles, buses, trains, ships, planes).
2. Being in open spaces (e.g., parking lots, marketplaces, bridges).
3. Being in enclosed places (e.g., shops, theaters, cinemas).
4. Standing in line or being in a crowd.
5. Being outside of the home alone.
B. The individual fears or avoids these situations because of thoughts that escape might
be difficult or help might not be available in the event of developing panic-like symp­
toms or other incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms (e.g., fear of falling in the elderly; fear of incontinence).
C. The agoraphobic situations almost always provoke fear or anxiety.
D. The agoraphobic situations are actively avoided, require the presence of a companion,
or are endured with intense fear or anxiety.
E. The fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the agoraphobic
situations and to the sociocultural context.
F. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, typically lasting for 6 months or more.
G. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in
social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
H. If another medical condition (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, Parkinson’s disease)
is present, the fear, anxiety, or avoidance is clearly excessive.
I. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is not better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder—for example, the symptoms are not confined to specific phobia, situational
type; do not involve only social situations (as in social anxiety disorder): and are not related exclusively to obsessions (as in obsessive-compulsive disorder), perceived defects
or flaws in physical appearance (as in body dysmoφhic disorder), reminders of traumatic
events (as in posttraumatic stress disorder), or fear of separation (as in separation anxiety disorder).
Note: Agoraphobia is diagnosed irrespective of the presence of panic disorder. If an individual’s presentation meets criteria for panic disorder and agoraphobia, both diagnoses
should be assigned

[kathleenhansen]

wow she's playing therapist and clearly has no clue what she's talking about

[BeingMona]

I developed this after my mom died I didn’t leave out for about 2 years I just had a panic attack going out for food and while interviewing (the second) I started to go out alone to challenge myself because I needed it. Then tragedy happened and I’m healing all over again

[LightHouse_]

Lockdown was wonderful.
I was 51 at the time.
It was then I admitted to myself that all my life has been a series of ups and downs with agrophobia. At times it subsides to a manageable degree.
As I was a housewife for 30 plus years, I could find ways to avoid socialising.
It is people that I need to see regularly that make it increase.
Total strangers as ok.

So even at the supermarket I will avoid the same till lady for instance.

I love anything automated.
ATMs, self service machines etc.

Just to avoid those social interactions.

I joined a class a few months back and thought I could overcome the phobia but as the classes meant getting to know others, I have found excuses the last 2 weeks and realise it is no use.

God has been good and I have dogs as companions and live next door to family so have daily doses of humans too.

It is strangers "getting to know me" that set off the anxiety.

[Benthing.]

I'm just a introvert i don't want to involve in the crowd, only alone can make myself complete.

[jameshusentoff]

I can’t leave the house without a hat unfortunately

[kingmasterlord]

my panic attacks are construed as aggression because i have to force the words out, ive been arrested for having them.

[MulattaMermaidvlogs]

I want to get out but I just don’t feel safe.

[Rqblt]

Came here from shameless so its a real thing?

[kathleenhansen]

nice "statistics" that you obviously made up. Might want to read a study and look up the diagnosis next time.

[hkk]

What do you do about treatment she asked???....dodged the question and kept babbling on. Video ended.

[mercuryxyz]

Not all agoraphobics are confined to the house. Many agoraphobics lead basically normal lives. Agoraphobia is a genetic disorder

[Loviekinz]

Most common? I don't know anyone with it, and so nobody understands me. I am not entirely house bound, I can leave with a safe person like my mom. Panic attacks I have had a few, but that's not what I am afraid of. I am afraid of the bowel problems I get, or the sick feeling I get, or something bad happening to me like dying while I am out. I only go out like 2-3 times a month, going out 3 times in a week leaves me so mentally exhausted it takes me weeks to recover. I feel safer inside a store then outside so the hardest part for me is actually GETTING somewhere, which I've never been able to do alone. And I can only seem to handle being out about 2 hours before I NEED to go home. I also have general anxiety, social anxiety and OCD on top of agoraphobia.