Agoraphobia sufferers have plenty of different therapies that they can choose from to help them get over their condition. Conventional medical alternatives are medication and psychotherapy or there are complementary and self help therapies.
Psychotherapists will usually treat agoraphobia with CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). CBT works by reducing the negative thinking and behaviour that cause the anxiety.
There are several highly effective panic attack self help guides available online that have helped many thousands of people overcome agoraphobia. By teaching you to be in control of your anxiety these self help programs will help you eliminate panic attacks. With repeated exposure to anxious situations and using these techniques you will overcome your agoraphobia.
You could try a self help therapy called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). EFT works a bit like acupuncture but you use your fingertips to tap meridian points to release emotional stress. The theory behind it is that it removes the emotional stress that has accumulated that causes panic and anxiety.
Exposure Therapy is another therapy that can help people with agoraphobia. Relaxation techniques are taught and the person imagines themselves in situations that would cause them to feel anxious. They then learn to bring their anxious feelings under control using the relaxation techniques that they have been taught. They will then need to apply the same techniques by exposing themselves to real life situations.
Hypnosis can also help people with agoraphobia. Hypnosis can either by given by a professional hypnotherapist or the person can buy a recorded hypnosis DVD, CD or download an MP3. These are available for all types of anxiety and phobias including agoraphobia.
Flower essences and Herbal anxiety remedy can provide support during situations that cause anxiety. There are ready made herbal products specifically created for aiding panic and anxiety. These will usually contain Valerian, Lavender or Passion Flower. Most health stores sell a Bach Flower Essence called “Rescue Remedy” which is great for restoring calm if you start to feel anxious.
Medication is the alternative to natural therapies. Anxiety and panic disorder such as agoraphobia are treated with sedatives and anti-depressants. Medication should be avoided unless absolutely necessary as it can cause severe and unpleasant side effects. Medication only attempts to treat the symptoms of anxiety and not the cause. Without treating the root cause of the anxiety there can be no permanent cure.
If you are an agoraphobia sufferer who finds it difficult or impossible to leave your own home that shouldn’t be a barrier to you getting help. There are so many things that you can do to help yourself from within your own home thanks to the internet. Most of the self help programs and hypnosis recordings can be downloaded straight onto your computer.
To learn more about the help available for agoraphobia sufferers please click the link below…
