Panic Anxiety Disorder
What is Agoraphobia?
Panic anxiety disorder can display its ugly head in many ways, among them, social anxiety agoraphobia. Fortunately there are some proven, effective ways of overcoming panic attacks. There is phobia that is linked to the experience of anxiety panic attacks, and that is agoraphobia.
Social anxiety agoraphobia is the fear of open spaces or the fear of being in crowded, public places such as shopping markets. It is a fear associated with leaving a safe zone, such as the home. Because of a feeling of being vulnerable, people who experience this fear often suffer from panic attacks when they are away from what they consider to be "safe". Many people who have regular panic anxiety disorder attacks experience different degrees of agoraphobia.
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The fear of leaving safety is real for people with agoraphobia.
Hypnosis can help people with agoraphobia...
Some people are afraid to be away from home, in case they experience a panic attack. Many are so immobilized by this fear that they find it very difficult to leave their home for even a short period.
Agoraphobia Causes
A person with agoraphobia might worry that, were a panic attack to occur, they would need someone to give them assistance or reassurance.The fear comes from the feeling that, once you are caught in an anxiety attack, you won't be able to take care of yourself--and you will be at the mercy of strangers in a strange place. In its extreme form, agoraphobia and panic attacks can lead to a situation where people become housebound for many years.
Agoraphobia, a panic anxiety disorder, can
completely debilitate a person.
Hypnosis can help...
This is by no means a hopeless situation. In fact, something only becomes hopeless if a person really believes that the situation is hopeless.
The Safe Zone for Panic Attacks
The primary issue that needs to be addressed is the belief that there is a safe zone. A "safe" zone is where a person believes that panic attacks do not occur, or at least they occur infrequently. Because a safe zone is comfortable, a person with agoraphobia tends to spend more and more time in that place. The safe zone of panic anxiety is a myth sustained by the mind. The mind develops a fantasy that, being inside the safe zone, is the only place to feel secure and avoid agoraphobia and panic attacks. If agoraphobia is an issue for you, observe how your mind comes up with reasons why it believes only a certain area is safe and another is not. Those reasons range from being near the phone or people you trust, to having familiar physical surroundings to reassure you.
There is NO Safe Zone!
The reality of a panic anxiety disorder is that there is no such thing as a safe zone. There is nothing life threatening about a panic attack, and therefore sitting at home is the same as sitting under the stars on a desert island. Of course, your mind will tell you that a desert island is a ridiculous place to be, as there are no hospitals, no tranquilizers, no doctors, NO SAFETY. But, think about your past experiences--when you had panic attacks. Aren’t you still here, alive and well, after all those attacks-- during which you were convinced you were going to die? You may have been driven to the hospital, where you were given medication to calm you. Do you really believe that you would not have survived, were it not for the drugs? You would have. And, if the same bout of panic anxiety disorder had occurred on a desert island, it too, would have passed, even if you were all alone. For serious medical conditions, it is important to be close to a doctor or hospital. But agoraphobia is NOT a serious medical condition. In fact, it's not a medical condition at all! If you have agoraphobia, you can go anywhere, and you will be physically safe!
Overcoming Panic Attacks
The fear is real!It can be terrifying to move out of your "safe zone". Being afraid is not your fault, and, with a little effort on your part you can overcome the fear! The goal of
agoraphobia treatment
is to enable you to return to a richer and more meaningful life-- and ultimately defeat your agoraphobia and panic attacks. Well meaning family members may try to get you to leave your safe zone. If an individual such as a partner or family member has not had a panic anxiety disorder issue, that person may often find it hard to understand and empathize with what you are going through. I am sure you have been dragged out of the house numerous times against your will, kicking and screaming. This can then lead to tension and arguments and it is upsetting. There is one thing I am sure you will agree with, and that is that the only person who will
get you out of agoraphobic thinking
is you. Your thoughts--both conscious and unconscious--are the source of the problem. And the good news is that agoraphobia can be cured! Many people spend years in therapy to change their thought patterns. Fortunately, you can get quicker results by
using self-hypnosis.
You may also be interested in:
Panic Anxiety Disorder to Definition of Anxiety
Panic Anxiety Disorder to Easy Stress Management
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