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Agoraphobia is a debilitating anxiety disorder caused by fear and panic attacks that limit the sufferer's daily life. Agoraphobia starts as a panic disorder. The sufferer has a panic attack inside of an elevator (for example) and then refuses to enter another one. This pattern continues with other locations until the sufferer is trapped inside of their own home. While it is a difficult process, Agoraphobia can be cured.
Instructions
1. Start a panic journal. After you have a panic attack write down the date, time, what you were doing and the symptoms you felt before the attack. The journal will help you determine your panic attack triggers. You will then be able to deal with those triggers with the help of a counselor that specializes in anxiety disorders.
2. Make an appointment with your doctor and seek a referral to a counselor that can help cure Agoraphobia, preferably one that specializes in anxiety disorders. The counselor will help you gain back control of your life by discussing your triggers and symptoms, and helping you understand what is happening. Ask for medications that can help with the symptoms.
3. Take small steps to take back control of your world. Does even thinking about going out the door starts your anxiety symptoms? Start there, at your smallest anxiety point. Stand at the door and open it. While standing there, take slow and steady deep breaths. Reassure yourself with calming affirmations such as, "Everything is fine," "I am OK" or "This is only temporary" -- anything that helps make you feel better. Stay in that spot until the anxious feelings go away.
4. Keep pushing yourself and the anxiety. Yes, you will have to endure the panic attacks. But they will get better. The symptoms will lessen and even go away in time. Once you can go to the doorway without worry, take a step outside. Stay there until the panic attack subsides. Keep taking that step outside until you can finally do it without any anxiety.
5. Continue going past your comfort zone (usually your home). You will want to flee back to your comfort zone when a panic attack starts. However, you must stay where you are until the panic attack subsides. Eventually, this will cure Agoraphobia. You are teaching yourself that you will survive even after having a severe panic attack, and that the places you fear are not unsafe.
Tags: panic attack, anxiety disorders, attack subsides, back control, back control your