Individuals suffering from mental health issues often times get treated differently than those with physical health problems that oftentimes are easier for others to see and often easier to be diagnosed. However, for the sufferer of mental health issues such as panic disorders and agoraphobia specifically, dealing with the problem can often prove to be more complex and difficult for themselves and those around them. Mental health is a state characterized by psychological well-being and self acceptance.
Usually the term implies the capacity to love and relate to others along with the ability to work productively, and the willingness to behave in a way that brings personal satisfaction without encroaching upon the rights of others (Funk & Wagnall, 2007). Clinically mental health can be defined as the absence of mental illness. The word agoraphobia is derived from Greek words literally meaning “fear of the marketplace. ” The term is used to describe an anxiety disorder which is an irrational and often disabling fear of being out in public.
However, those that have agoraphobia state that it’s just as important to include in the definition that agoraphobics aren’t afraid of open spaces but of having the panic attacks they know they will have when in those open spaces. Treatment for agoraphobia usually consists of both psychotherapy along with medication. Patients can often benefit form certain antidepressants. Many agoraphobics are successfully treated through a gradual process of graduated exposure therapy. This is often combined with anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications and is often combined with cognitive therapy.
A couple of the anti-anxiety medications that have proven to be successful in this are alprazolam and benzodiazepines. The class of medications which are used in treating anxiety disorders are for the most part, in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Another treatments which is becoming more popular for agoraphobia is hypnosis and techniques called Neuro-linguistic programming. The treatment options for panic disorder are often similar or the same as the treatment options that work for agoraphobia.
Another technique that is often used for agoraphobic sufferers is desensitization. The patient is gradually exposed to the situation that usually triggers avoidance and fear of that situation or place and, with the help of breathing or relaxation techniques they have been taught, the sufferer then learns how to cope with the situation. This helps the agoraphobic separate the mental connection between the situation and the panic, fear, and anxiety they associate with it.
Another route agoraphobic patients can use and benefit from is psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy, the agoraphobic discusses underlying emotional conflicts with a therapist or support group (Agoraphobic, Heatlth). Agoraphobia is just one type of phobia, or irrational fear. People with phobias feel dread or panic when they face certain objects, situations, or activities. Those with agoraphobia frequently also experience panic attacks, but panic disorder, or panic attacks, which are not a requirement for a diagnosis of agoraphobia.
The defining feature of agoraphobia is anxiety about being in places from which escape might be difficult or embarassing, or in which help may not be available (Agoraphobia, Health). Persons suffering from agoraphobia usually avoid the anxiety-provoking situations and may become totally housebound which causes people to think they fear open spaces when it’s actually their own body’s reaction to the spaces, situations, and activities they fear. The strain that sufferers of agoraphobia or any panic disorder puts on their families can cause family problems and marital problems.
In addition to this, approximately one third of people with agoraphobia or any of the panic disorders tend to also have depression or problems with drugs or alcohol use (Understanding, 1998) probably at least partially due to the drugs they must take for their condition. The American Psychiatric Association (http://www. apa. org) and Anxiety Disorders Association of America (http://www. adaa. org) both provide help to those who suffer with agoraphobia along with their families. These organizations provide free materials and information that can be downloaded on agoraphobia and panic disorders in general.
They explain what the sufferers go through, what to expect, some techniques those affected personally or relationally can use when dealing with agoraphobia or any of the panic disorders in general. They explain what the sufferers go through, what to expect along with techniques the agoraphobic and their family can use when dealing with agoraphobia and its diverse symptoms. Both organizations include phone numbers, websites and ways of contacting local agencies for additional information, groups and classes in their areas.
For the sufferers of agoraphobia and their family and friends, it is important to be informed as to what the sufferer is going through and what all is available to help those with panic disorders and agoraphobia. Although mental health issues such as agoraphobia can cause added stress to families and relationships, increased awareness and understanding can improve the life and the relationships of the person diagnosed with agoraphobia and those that care for them.
Reference
“Agoraphobia. ” (n. d. ). Heath & Wellness Resource Center. EBSCO 3 June 2007. <http:// search. ebscohost. com/login.aspx? direct=true & db=funk&AN=MEO87400&site=site =ehost-live Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Retrieved 2 June 2007. <http://www. adaa. org> American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved 2 June 2007. <http://www. psych. org> “MENTAL HEALTH. ” (n. d. ). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. EBSCO. 3 June 2007. <http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=funk&AN=ME0 87400&site=ehost-live (1998, May 15). Understanding Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia. Retrieved June 3, 2007, from American Academy of Family Physicians Web site: http://www. aafp. org/afp/980515ap/980515c. html