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Fears and phobias - agoraphobia

The following is a case study of hypnotherapy in the treatment of agoraphobia. It was published in the International Journal of Psychosomatics -
1991;38(1-4):92-4

In this case study, hypnosis [hypnotherapy] combined with progressive relaxation effectively eliminated the cause of panic attacks in a 34 year old female. After an initial period of progressive relaxation, this patient was trained in desensitization techniques and in hypnosis [hypnotherapy]. The introduction of hypnosis provided this young woman with long term relief from her symptoms of agoraphobia and panic. This study provides further evidence for the efficacy of hypnosis [hypnotherapy] in the elimination of panic attacks.

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What is agoraphobia?

"Agoraphobia" comes from the greek words ‘agora’ (market place) and ‘phobos’ (fear) and literally means ‘fear of the market place’.

If you have agoraphobia you're likely to be scared of leaving the safety of your own home or a similar 'safe' place. You'll be terrified in the presence of crowds and have the associated worry of not having somewhere safe to escape to. People with agoraphobia have a heightened fear of situations where they feel that there would be no means of escape or help would be unavailable.

A large number of people with agoraphobia also suffer from other phobias. Most victims of agoraphobia have panic attacks. Panic attacks are extreme feelings of fear and dread.

Agoraphobics tend to cope with their phobias by remaining at home and so experience little anxiety in their day to day lives. Severe agoraphobia often traps sufferers in their homes for many years. Many sufferers of agoraphobia go to great lengths to hide their distress and - with great difficulty - manage to give the impression of leading a normal life.

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What are the causes of agoraphobia?

The onset of agoraphobia is often associated with a particularly stressful or traumatic event.

Agoraphobia is frequently accompanied by other anxiety disorders, a stressful environment or substance abuse (including alcohol). As for substance abuse it's often difficult to work out which came first when you're caught up in the constant cycle. Many people turn to alcohol and other addictive substances to take the edge off anxiety, but these substances in turn create even more anxiety. In fact, frequent use of alcohol, tranquillisers and sleeping pills such as benzodiazepines has been linked to triggering or worsening agoraphobia.

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Signs and symptoms of agoraphobia

Agoraphobics fear that if they were to suffer a panic attack, or become ill etc. they would be trapped with all eyes focused on them. Someone who has agoraphobia needs to know that there's somewhere safe he or she may retreat to, if feelings of unease develop. For many agoraphobics their fear is so intense that they have panic attacks. This occurs when they feel helpless, insecure, trapped or too far outside their own personal comfort zone.

Agoraphobia sufferers may experience an extreme, irrational and debilitating fear of some, or all, of the following: crowds, public places, travelling away from home or travelling alone. Agoraphobia is often linked to other anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and specific phobia.

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Women are more likely to have agoraphobia

Agoraphobia occurs about twice as commonly among women as it does in men.  (Or at least twice as many women are reported sufferers) Between 65% and 95% of cases of agoraphobia we know about are women. It's estimated that around 5% of all adults in the U.K.will develop agoraphobia. The average age at which agoraphobia first appears is 20 years of age.

Does the thought of going out and about terrify you? If you'd like to begin start the process of dealing with your agoraphobia and leading a normal life please contact me to find out more about how hypnotherapy can help. I look forward to hearing from you very soon.

......And remember that your first hypnotherapy session comes with a guarantee. So go on, give it a try!

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Shonagh Paterson (registered hypnotherapist) Stroma, Farr, Inverness, IV2 6XG
Hypnotherapist for Inverness and the Highlands and Islands