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Why Most People with
Agoraphobia Take a Year or More to Start Recovery
by Stephen Price
Understanding
agoraphobia is the first step toward recovery. However, the
average person with agoraphobia takes at least one full year
to get diagnosed and even longer to learn enough about
agoraphobia to start recovering.
Here are four reasons why:
1)
Most people don't know
what is wrong with them at first. The symptoms of
agoraphobia, especially during panic attacks, feel like
those of a physical illness. For example,
when you are hyperventilating it is easy to suspect
something is wrong with your lungs. When your heart is
racing it is easy to think something is wrong with your
heart. When you are sick at your stomach day after day it is
easy to think something is wrong with your digestive system.
Plus, one symptom of agoraphobia is to "scan" your body for
physical symptoms and worry about every little twinge as if
it may be a major life-threatening illness.
2) Many doctors don’t
know how to diagnose agoraphobia. People
with agoraphobia commonly visit a succession of doctors
trying to find a diagnosis. Most doctors will listen to
physical complaints and run tests. They will report that the
tests are negative, but often fail to suggest the presence
of agoraphobia due to a lack of training. Doctors who can
tell that your symptoms are caused by a panic attack may
still not be able to tell what type of anxiety disorder you
have or provide information about it.
3) Most people go
through a period of denial. If finally faced
with a diagnosis of a psychological disorder like
agoraphobia, the human reaction is to throw up defenses and
deny it. Most of us don’t think of ourselves as the type of
person who would have a "mental problem" or "psychological
disorder." Psychological problems carry a stigma in society
that physical illnesses and injuries do not.
The average person
tends to consider a psychological disorder as personal
weakness or lack of will power. People are more likely to
treat a psychological disorder like agoraphobia as your
fault than they would in the case of a physical illness or
injury. If you were diagnosed with cancer, no one would
stand over your bed during chemotherapy and question your
will power, work ethic, or desire to go to work or school.
But try having agoraphobia. People will do exactly that.
Since no one wants to be viewed that way, it is hard for
most people to admit to anyone they have agoraphobia.
4) Most people are
reluctant to seek treatment for a psychological disorder
because of the stigma. Even people who are
able to admit to themselves that they have a psychological
disorder might still have trouble admitting it to anyone
else. It’s hard enough to try to explain irrational fear and
panic attacks to your friends and family, and even harder to
seek out professional help.
A word to the wise - the best course of action to take if
you start experiencing panic attacks or the symptoms of
agoraphobia is:
-
See a doctor to
rule out medical problems.
-
Consult a mental
health professional to get a diagnosis and/or begin
treatment.
-
Learn everything
you can about your disorder.
Knowledge is the first
step to recovery and the sooner you get started on your
recovery from agoraphobia the faster it will be.
On the flip side, the longer it takes you to get diagnosed
and admit that you have a disorder - the more agoraphobia
has a chance to take root, and the more difficult your
recovery may be.
If you suspect that you or someone you know might have
agoraphobia, don’t take a year to start learning everything
you can about it. Start today. You can learn more by signing
up for the Agoraphobia Report, or by reading the many articles
on this website.
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