|
Agoraphobia is generally characterized by the following
symptoms:
Panic Attacks: Periods of
intense fear, usually lasting about ten minutes or so (but
sometimes longer).
more
Avoidance Behavior:
Avoidance of places and situations that are hard to
escape from or that might be embarrassing to have to
suddenly leave. Most commonly, people with agoraphobia fear having a
panic attack or unexpected catastrophe and not being able to
get help or get away.
more
Developing "Safe" People: Needing to
be around highly
familiar people or people the agoraphobic feels emotionally close to
in order to gain a sense of well-being. “Safe” people
are usually parents, spouses, children, or close friends and
relatives.
more
Developing "Safe" Places: Needing to
be at or near certain places in order to feel psychologically comfortable. The
most common "safe" place is the agoraphobic's own home.
more
Scanning: Obsessive monitoring of
one's own body for strange or unusual symptoms.
more
Fear of being alone: This is related to the fear of
having no one to help
in the case of a panic attack or real emergency.
more
Agoraphobia may include other symptoms, but these are
probably the most common.
home |
