Agoraphobia Treatment

Who needs agoraphobia treatment?

Agoraphobia affects people of all lifestyles and at all levels. As much as 80 percent of all the agoraphobics are women. The causes of Agoraphobia can be environmental such as overcritical parents, childhood circumstances and so on. It can also be inherited. Just like any other disorder, the symptoms of Agoraphobia can range from being physical, psychological to behavioral.

However, there is no need to worry; there are a number of treatments available, which help overcome Agoraphobia. The treatment of Agoraphobia mainly consists of Relaxation training, panic control therapy, interceptive desensitization, Exposure, cognitive therapy, medication, assertiveness training and group therapy. We will take a deeper look into these treatments and see how exactly they help to treat Agoraphobia.

Relaxation training treatment: This includes practicing deep relaxation techniques such as abdominal breathing, and deep muscle relaxation along with meditation on a regular basis. You also undergo some of the other methods of deep relaxation such as visualizing a peaceful scene, guided imagery, Yoga, sensory deprivation, meditation and calming music. This treatment helps to minimize the physical symptoms such as panic attacks that form the core part of agoraphobia.

Panic Control Therapy: This includes identifying and eradicating dreadful thoughts such as ‘I am going to go crazy’ or ‘I am going to have a heart attack’ or common thoughts as ‘I’m trapped’ which contribute towards a panic attack. The best method to help control this is the "One Move Technique" from the Panic Away Program. To learn more about this and read my personal success story using it please visit:

Panic Away Success Story

Interoceptive Desensitization: This includes practicing voluntary habituation to the bodily systems such as sweaty hands, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness and so on. In this type of treatment, there is a deliberate creation and exposure to these symptoms, which in turn promote desensitization towards the symptom.

Exposure Agoraphobia Treatment: In this, you are exposed to fearful situations, which you avoid. These exposures are first conducted in your imagination and then in your real life. For instance, if you fear of driving away from home then in this therapy you will increase your distance away from home gradually. Over time, you combat all the fearful situations, which you have been avoiding.

Cognitive therapy: This therapy helps you overcome high fear thinking about phobias and panic attacks with more supportive and realistic mental habits. In this therapy, you learn to identify, challenge your fearful thoughts and then replace them with productive ones.

Medication: There are also a number of medications, which help overcome Agoraphobia. The Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft, Celexa, Paxil are used to treat more serious cases of Agoraphobia whereas low doses of tranquilizers such as Klonopin and Xanax help you to negotiate the early stages of exposure.

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