Agoraphobia and It’s Relationship to Panic Attacks

Agoraphobia and It’s Relationship to Panic Attacks

While panic attacks can be devastating in themselves the long-term related consequences can be even worse. One in three people that suffer panic attacks will go on to develop agoraphobia. This seems to be an avoidant coping mechanism in which the individual simply chooses to avoid situations that may tend to provoke a panic attack.

Many times the sufferer will become so worried about the potential of having a panic attack at a place or time that would be intolerable that he decides staying home is a safer option. This can result in a person becoming a virtual prisoner in his own home.

Stress or high anxiety is thought to be the cause of panic attacks. These attacks occur without warning and cause the sufferer to feel intense fear and a sense of dread. Outward reactions to this internal stimulus vary.

Some people seem to ‘lose it’ and others are better at masking the emotional turmoil they are experiencing. But most have extreme feelings of wanting to escape, and some complain that they fear they are dying or going crazy.

Obviously it would be difficult to manage such emotions and keep a calm demeanor. These sufferers become terrified that they will suffer an attack and behave inappropriately at the worst time.

That is how the cycle begins; a fear (related to the panic attack itself), the body responds, eventually the person is able to determine which places or situations seem to provoke the anxiety attacks, so will tend to avoid such situations.

Unfortunately many people suffer for months or even years before seeking any kind of treatment. Ironically, part of the reason for that is the disorder itself - they would be forced to leave their homes and be put in a public situation - even possibly in a crowd. This is a nightmare for a person that suffers with agoraphobia.

Luckily there are new techniques available, actually available from the internet saving the person the inconvenience of travel seeking advice. For information related to this please click on any link in the blog.