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Most people fear having another panic attack and restrict their activities to avoid the possibility of another one. Agoraphobia is this cycle of anticipatory fear of panic and subsequent avoidance of situations where escape seems difficult, or help and safety are perceived to be unavailable such as being away from home or being alone.
Agoraphobia is characterized by marked fear or anxiety about two or more of the following five situations:
These situations are feared or avoided due to thoughts of having panic-like symptoms or other incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms such as passing out, incontinence or falling and that escape from these situations might be difficult or help might not be available.
There is no one single cause of Agoraphobia. However risk factors include negative childhood experiences like separation or death of a parent, being attacked or mugged, growing up in a lack of emotional warmth or overprotective parenting.
Proneness to experiencing negative emotions (neuroticism) and sensitivity to anxiety, i.e. believing that anxiety symptoms are harmful can also contribute to the likelihood of developing agoraphobia. There is an increased risk (61%) for agoraphobia among offspring of parents with agoraphobic anxiety .
Anxiety Treatment Services provides integrative and comprehensive therapy for Agoraphobia including individual therapy, group support and behavioral fieldwork. Modalities include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy including guided imagery and real life desensitization/graduated exposure therapy, Psychotherapy, EMDR, and Meditation/Mindfulness.