Agoraphobia Treatment
Agoraphobia Treatment in the Tampa Bay Area
Do you fear not being able to get help or escape in public places? Have you avoided using public transportation, standing in line, or going into crowded areas? If any of these questions sound like you then you may be experiencing agoraphobia. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, almost 1% of adults in the United States suffer from agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is highly treatable with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and specifically Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
About Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by fear of leaving home alone, being stuck in crowded areas, or of not being able to escape and/or get help if needed. People with agoraphobia fear being in places or situations where they may feel helpless or embarrassed and where they may experience a panic attack. Agoraphobia develops after avoidance of these trigger situations often after experiencing one or more panic attacks. It’s difficult for people with agoraphobia to feel safe in public places, therefore, they may often rely on a support person to get around or run errands. This accommodation further worsens their impairment as they begin to develop learned helplessness. In order to treat agoraphobia properly, a component of exposure therapy must be present. It’s important to note that agoraphobia and panic disorder are different and people have panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.
Symptoms of Agoraphobia
According to the DSM-V, the diagnostic criteria for agoraphobia is as follows:
Marked fear or anxiety about two (or more) of the following five situations:
A. Using public transportation (ex. cars, buses, trains, ships, planes).
B. Being in open spaces (ex. parking lots, marketplace, bridges).
C. Being in enclosed spaces (ex. stores, movie theaters, offices).
D. Standing in line or being in a crowd.
E. Being outside of the home alone.
The individual fears or avoids these situations because of thoughts that escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of developing panic-like symptoms or other incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms (ex. fear of falling or incontinence).
The agoraphobic situations almost always provoke fear or anxiety.
The agoraphobic situations are actively avoided, require the presence of a companion, or are endured with intense fear or anxiety.
The fear or anxiety is of out proportion to the actual danger posed by the agoraphobic situations and the sociocultural context.
The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, typically lasting for 6 months of more.
Treatment for Agoraphobia in the Tampa Bay Area
Treatment for agoraphobia is accessible in the Tampa Bay Area! Our therapists at Anxiety Center of Tampa are specialized in providing the crucial component of ERP treatment to those struggling with anxiety disorders. ERP is essential to the treatment of agoraphobia as ERP aims to counteract the avoidant behavior that an agoraphobic engages in. For those feeling trapped at home due to their anxiety, the avoidance may provide temporary relief from anxiety, however, this avoidance only reinforces their maladaptive behaviors. Therefore, for proper treatment of agoraphobia, it is necessary to confront anxiety-provoking triggers in a therapeutic setting with a trained professional. Our therapists will help you to identify these anxiety-provoking situations and will collaborate with you to create a hierarchy of exposure trials that will gradually get you to engage in those situations that cause you so dread so much. Contact us today to start facing your fears and step outside of your comfort zone so that you can live a functional life again.
Begin Treatment for Agoraphobia
in Tampa, Fl.
Our anxiety therapists at Anxiety Center of Tampa are specialized in providing treatment for anxiety disorders. All the clients seen at our practice have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, therefore, beginning treatment with us gives you the opportunity to start the evidence-based treatment necessary for the treatment of anxiety. While many therapists can provide CBT, only a few in the Tampa Bay Area are trained to provide the crucial ERP component. Treatment is highly individualized at our practice. Your schedule, length of session, and frequency are considered when creating your treatment schedule. At your intake session, you and your therapist will discuss your needs and obstacles to treatment to set you up for success. Call Anxiety Center of Tampa at 813-773-5807 for more information or to schedule your appointment today. You can also contact us through email via our contact page.
Here are the easy steps to so that you can get your life back on track:
Meet our anxiety therapists.
Learn for to cope with anxiety and live a meaningful life!
Other Anxiety Related Disorders Treated at Anxiety Center of Tampa