If you have difficulty leaving the house, do not want to be in crowded environments, are afraid of entering the tunnel, going to the cinema or theater, or even being in parking garages, elevators, planes, buses, you may have agoraphobia! Experts point out that this condition causes thoughts such as loss of control, heart attack and death.
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Specialist from Üsküdar University NP Etiler Medical Center. Clinical Psychologist Serkan Elçi made important evaluations about agoraphobia.
"Most people experience fear of certain things. These can be things like supernatural beings, animals or being alone at home. Agoraphobia literally means fear of space," said Serkan Elçi,
"This fear is defined as an anxiety disorder in which the person feels trapped in a space, feels as if he/she will fall into an embarrassing situation, panics and feels as if he/she cannot get out of the environment and escape. It causes thoughts of losing control and going crazy, having a heart attack or even dying. When he reaches this state, he thinks that no one can help him. With this thought, the person either does not even want to leave the house or wants the presence of someone he trusts with him."
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Most commonly seen with panic disorder
Stating that agoraphobia is most commonly seen with panic disorder, Elçi said, "Many symptoms even overlap with each other. But panic disorder manifests itself with attacks. The time and place of these attacks may never be certain; but in agoraphobia, there must be a particular area. These areas can be specific or they can spread to all areas outside the home. The negative thought content stimulates the nervous system, and this stimulation causes the body to go into alarm mode."
"Since agoraphobia is basically under the umbrella of anxiety disorder, experiencing other anxiety disorders can also cause agoraphobia to manifest itself from time to time," said Clinical Psychologist Serkan Elçi, "Because, as in many disorders, it is possible to change places within itself. In addition to panic disorder, these disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders caused by substance use and specific phobias. Apart from these, it can also be seen together with depression and some personality traits."
What are the symptoms of agoraphobia?
Clinical Psychologist Serkan Elçi listed the symptoms of agoraphobia as follows:
- "If the person has difficulty leaving the house or does not go out alone,
- If he/she does not want to be in crowded places,
- Difficulty entering a tunnel, going to the cinema or theater, being in parking garages, being in tight spaces such as an MRI machine,
- If it cannot be found in places like elevators, airplanes, buses,
- If he/she panics when he/she is in such places and thinks that he/she will panic, have shortness of breath, faint, have a heart attack or pass out, and that he/she will not be able to leave that environment when he/she wants to,
- If most of the day is spent with these worries,
- Anxiety is affecting family, work or school life,
- If he cannot control this anxiety,
- If this situation has been going on for more than 6 months, the presence of agoraphobia can be mentioned."
It is more common in those with obsessive personality traits
Stating that since the main problem is to lose control, this disorder emerges in areas where the person thinks that he/she is not in control, Elçi said, "It can be said that this situation is also related to personality traits. The frequency of this disorder is higher in those with obsessive personality traits known as 'perfectionist'. Because this personality trait is to live life with the principle of 'all or nothing'. In other words, when he gets on an airplane, he will either be very comfortable or he will not get on at all," he said, expressing the conditions in which agoraphobia occurs as follows:
- "If there are biological reasons in connection with the nervous system,
- If the person has been exposed to any trauma such as abuse, rape, natural disaster, unexpected loss of a loved one,
- If there is someone in the family with such a condition and if the person has spent a lot of time with the person and is a role model,
- Agoraphobia can occur when there are areas such as subways, airplanes, elevators where they are not in control."
Agoraphobia patients need psychiatric support
"It is important for the person to first understand what the area of fear and anxiety is and to gradually expose themselves to this area. If he/she can achieve this through trials, he/she will overcome this anxiety before reaching the point of agoraphobia." Serkan Elçi said,
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"However, agoraphobia patients who are at a level to receive a diagnosis should apply to psychiatry. After the psychiatric picture is created, the therapy process should come into play. The most common method is 'cognitive behavioral therapy'. With this therapy method, the person
They will be able to see what is going on in their mind with this anxiety, calculate the possible consequences, and gradually overcome this anxiety. In addition to these, the person will also learn which situations trigger this anxiety, how to overcome it when anxiety comes, and how to control this anxiety in a social environment. Another therapy is EMDR therapy. Although it is generally known as a therapy method for trauma treatment, it is also very functional in anxiety disorders such as agoraphobia. With EMDR, the negative thought content of the person is addressed and the person is systemically desensitized to this thought. Finally, virtual reality goggles, which have recently started to be used in some institutions, give very positive results in agoraphobia. With virtual reality goggles, under the control of a therapist, concerns such as MRI device, closed space, height, elevator, etc. are studied, and people get rid of this anxiety in a controlled manner as if they were living that moment."
Compliance with the exercises given accelerates the treatment process
Serkan Elçi said, "If the person has become unable to leave the house due to agoraphobia, it is possible to make video calls over the internet in the initial stage, and in advanced stages, hospitalization may be required in hospitals where such treatments are performed." and concluded his words as follows:
"In these treatment processes, the person's trust in the therapist, their ability to adapt to the exercises given, and their ability to stay away from alcohol, drugs, etc. during treatment will also accelerate the healing process."
