Agoraphobia
Overcoming Agoraphobia: Causes and Treatments
Learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for agoraphobia. Serin Center offers evidence-based treatments for agoraphobia with individualized plans tailored to each patient's unique needs.
Agoraphobia:
Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder that causes people to avoid places or situations that may make them feel trapped, helpless, or embarrassed. It can be a debilitating condition that interferes with daily life and activities. In this article, we will explore the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for agoraphobia.
Symptoms of Agoraphobia:
- Fear of being in open or enclosed spaces
- Fear of being in crowds or waiting in line
- Fear of using public transportation
- Fear of leaving home alone
- Panic attacks
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Nausea or dizziness
Causes of Agoraphobia:
- Genetics
- Trauma or stressful life events
- Panic disorder
- Substance abuse
- Major life changes
Treatment Options:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR): is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from symptoms and emotional distress.
- Neurofeedback Therapy: A type of biofeedback that presents real-time feedback from brain activity in order to reinforce healthy brain function through brain conditioning.
At Serin Center, our team of experts utilizes evidence-based treatments for agoraphobia. Our customized treatment plans include a variety of approaches such as cognitive-behavioral Therapy, Neurofeedback Therapy, and EMDR Therapy to help patients overcome their fears and regain control of their lives.
Benefits of Serin Center:
- Individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs
- An experienced and compassionate team of mental health professionals
- Cutting-edge technology and treatments, including Neurofeedback Therapy and EMDR Therapy
- Convenient and confidential teletherapy options are available
If you or a loved one is struggling with agoraphobia, contact Serin Center today to learn more about our treatment programs and how we can help.
While there is not one exact cause of agoraphobia, several potential reasons could include childhood trauma or a previous traumatic event, neurochemical imbalances, or an impaired “fight or flight” response (sympathetic nervous system activation).
Diagnosing Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is often diagnosed along with panic disorder as entering fear public spaces may trigger frequent panic attacks. Treatments such as exposure therapy, EMDR/CBT therapy, BLAST technology in TouchPoints, or medication may help treat the symptoms of agoraphobia.
A person with agoraphobia may think that staying at home is the cure. However, “avoidance is never a cure” according to Dr. Serin. This serves to limit the external circumstances that can trigger panic and anxiety but graduated exposure therapy and a lessening of an overactive fight or flight response can work to get a person to re-integrate into normal life.
Serin Center specialists have treated hundreds of individuals with agoraphobia successfully, with many returning to work, driving again, and creating and maintaining successful in-person friendships and intimate relationships. In some cases, we can begin teletherapy until the patient is comfortable coming into the office.
Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). (2017, August 21). Retrieved from https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.php. Data Table 2: 12-month prevalence DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorders by sex and cohort.
Serin Center experts have been utilizing applied neuroscience to enhance the lives of children, adolescents, adults, families, and executives with effective and innovative therapy.
Experience the power of innovative and effective applied neuroscience therapy for mental and emotional wellness. Visit Serin Center in Phoenix, Arizona. With offices in Peoria and Scottsdale, our experts provide cutting-edge approaches for faster, long-lasting results. Upgrade your life today and contact us to see how we can help your child, teen, or yourself.