HELP FOR AGORAPHOBIA & COUNSELLING FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS
Agoraphobia is a form of anxiety whereby the person with agoraphobia is afraid of public or unfamiliar places. Generally, people suffering from agoraphobia are fine when they are in a familiar environment because that environment feels safe to them. Outside of that safe environment, the world can feel threatening and inescapable.
Agoraphobics often experience panic attacks or panic-like symptoms when placed in situations or environments in which they feel unsafe. Fear of a panic attack then forces an agoraphobic person to avoid places which invoke those feelings of panic; generally this means that all unfamiliar or public places are avoided. In extreme cases, agoraphobics can become confined to their homes as the only place in which they feel safe.
Usually, agoraphobia starts as a mild anxiety about a place or situation that over time becomes a generalized fear of being in public. Psychologists generally agree that agoraphobia is really about a fear of anxiety, of embarrassment or losing control. It is, in effect, a fear of experiencing a panic attack. Agoraphobics stop going out because they afraid that it might trigger feelings of anxiety or a panic attack. (This article is electronically protected - Copyright © Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney PTY LTD)
AGORAPHOBIA SYMPTOMS
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you may be suffering from agoraphobia:-
1. Feelings of anxiety if you are away from home or another ‘safe’ environment
2. Feelings of anxiety in anticipation of leaving a ‘safe’ environment
3. Reluctance or unwillingness to leave the house
4. Panic-like symptoms such as sweating, difficulty breathing, dizziness, increased heart rate, feelings of choking, nausea or feelings of dread or fear
5. loss of confidence
AGORAPHOBIA & YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE
Agoraphobia can have a major impact on the quality of a person’s life. Agoraphobics generally find that their illness restricts them from a multitude of activites which take place outside the home, such as work, study, exercise and social events. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation and boredom which in turn can increase the risk of depression. Agoraphobia can also se severely limit a person’s capacity to earn income.
CAN COUNSELLING HELP?
Agoraphobia usually happens gradually until the effects can significantly affect your ability to enjoy life. If you think you might be suffering from symptoms of agoraphobia, you should consider seeing one of our professional counsellors to help you resolve your anxieties and get you back out into the world. Counselling by professional counsellors & psychologists is an evidence based treatment with benefits for most anxiety disorders including agoraphobia.
To enquire about professional counselling by qualified Counsellors & Psychologists in Sydney call
Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney. We welcome your enquiry.
DISCLAIMER
All health information provided on counsellingsydney.com.au is general in nature and is provided for information purposes only. The information contained on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat psychological conditions, nor should it be used as an alternative to obtaining counselling or psychological advice from a qualified counsellor, psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist or medical practitioner. Please consult a counselling professional or a health care provider about any health concerns you might have about yourself or others. Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney Pty. Ltd does not accept liability for any loss or damage associated with the use of this site.
This site may contain links to third party sites including sites on counselling, psychologist services, mental health and other unrelated material. The existence of these links is not to be construed as an endorsement by Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney Pty. Ltd as to the accuracy or quality of the information or services provided by these third party sites and we do not accept liability for any loss or damaged associated with the use of these third party sites.
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- Easy to set up
- Similar to our in-office sessions
- 50 minutes 1:1 appointments with a dedicated therapist
- Qualified therapists
If you have difficulty leaving your home, video based therapy is an excellent and effective way to get started with Psychological treatment.
We can now offer you Skype based counselling for Agoraphobia. You will have the support of a dedicated therapist and complete access to all the client worksheets which are a part of our in room treatment for agoraphobia.
You can read more here: online counselling.
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