Agoraphobia: Fear of the Crowd

Recent studies indicate that depression, panic, anxiety and social phobia are disorders that most frequently and intensely affect females.

Among the most common anxiety disorders is agoraphobia, which is the excessive fear of being in a crowded environment. Learn more about this disorder, its causes and symptoms, and how to treat it properly.

Know what agoraphobia is

The etymology of the word Agoraphobia derives from Agora, which in Greek refers to a space, square, or gathering of people, and to Phobia, which means fear of something. Agoraphobia is therefore the fear of being in an open or closed environment with many people.

The disorder is characterized by a disturbance marked by an exacerbated state of anxiety, which appears whenever the person is in places or situations that would be difficult to leave if they felt ill, such as tunnels, bridges, large avenues, buses. crowded, trains, boats, parties, gatherings of people. The agoraphobic fears having no one to turn to if he feels bad.

According to psychologist Marana Tamie, specialist in Hospital Psychology, this name was coined by Carl Westphal in 1872 and the term is used by psychiatry, sometimes related to Panic Syndrome and to designate a type of anxiety disorder.

Know the Causes of Agoraphobia

According to Marana, there are several factors that can cause agoraphobia. "Among researchers we find statements that the disorder can be started after a period of grief, or need for adaptation, or even in a quiet phase of life," she says.

In addition, there are still inconclusive researches that associate anxiety disorders with a biological or genetic vulnerability. Another explanation for the causes of agoraphobia is that it can be associated with an unpleasant experience, such as being in a crowded elevator that went awry and sick, for example.

Overprotective parents whose child-rearing has focused on the dangers of life can also be the cause of behavior of this nature. Agoraphobia can develop by observing parents and other adults.

What are the symptoms of agoraphobia?

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness, the symptoms of agoraphobia are described as: feeling of intense anxiety, increased heart rate and blood pressure, restless breathing, sweating, tremors, choking sensation, breathlessness and nausea.

Symptoms such as the fear of frequenting places with many people, for example: banks, supermarkets, theaters and cinemas are also common according to Marana.

? Some patients report that in addition to being afraid of going to busy places, they have the thought that there is a possibility of getting sick and having no one to ask for help. With the feeling of anguish, so intense, even avoid leaving home ?, says the psychologist.

Recommended treatments and when to seek help

As with other types of anxiety disorder, phobic behaviors can exist at varying levels from person to person. "When this malaise disables the person, compromises social life, impairs their family, study and work relationships, the indication is to look for a psychologist or psychoanalyst and for cases that need medication the psychiatrist is recommended?" , guides Marana. It is not only directed to the use of medications without the accompaniment of therapy.

Agoraphobia and Panic Disorders

The relationship between agoraphobia and panic is very close. About half of panic syndrome patients have agoraphobia.

Panic Disorder is characterized by the unexpected occurrence of panic attacks, of relatively short duration, but with intense anxiety and fear. In many cases panic disorder is accompanied by agoraphobia, which can significantly interfere with one's ability in social and professional situations away from home.

What is Agoraphobia? (Fear of Places & Situations) (April 2024)