What is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is characterized by an abnormal fear of situations or places where escape might be difficult, where help might not be readily available, or where another panic attack could occur. Such situations can include being alone, being away from home, public or crowded places, enclosed places, or transportation. A person may avoid these situations (resulting in being confined to their home), endure them with great discomfort or endure them with a companion. Agoraphobia is often accompanied by a diagnosis of panic disorder.
How We Can Help
Given some individuals with agoraphobia are homebound, we offer to complete the initial assessment and treatment sessions in the home (usually within 40 miles of our clinic). If patients live farther away, we offer online therapy sessions (telehealth). Our therapists will use cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and more specifically, exposure therapy and other interventions, to help the agoraphobic individual slowly gain confidence in leaving his/her home and return to being able to work, go to school, shop, eat at a restaurant, drive, and return to a productive quality way of life. This may involve teaching the individual to overcome fears of panic attacks via interoceptive exposures. Furthermore, our therapists encourage the practice of mindfulness and acceptance strategies, allowing individuals to learn to label their emotions without judging them. The goal is to pursue meaningful activities despite the presence of anxiety, thus promoting better overall functioning.
Agoraphobia is characterized by an abnormal fear of situations or places where escape might be difficult, where help might not be readily available, or where another panic attack could occur. Such situations can include being alone, being away from home, public or crowded places, enclosed places, or transportation. A person may avoid these situations (resulting in being confined to their home), endure them with great discomfort or endure them with a companion. Agoraphobia is often accompanied by a diagnosis of panic disorder.
How We Can Help
Given some individuals with agoraphobia are homebound, we offer to complete the initial assessment and treatment sessions in the home (usually within 40 miles of our clinic). If patients live farther away, we offer online therapy sessions (telehealth). Our therapists will use cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and more specifically, exposure therapy and other interventions, to help the agoraphobic individual slowly gain confidence in leaving his/her home and return to being able to work, go to school, shop, eat at a restaurant, drive, and return to a productive quality way of life. This may involve teaching the individual to overcome fears of panic attacks via interoceptive exposures. Furthermore, our therapists encourage the practice of mindfulness and acceptance strategies, allowing individuals to learn to label their emotions without judging them. The goal is to pursue meaningful activities despite the presence of anxiety, thus promoting better overall functioning.
P H O N E 219.228.7630
F A X 219.228.1083
E M A I L info@anxietybehavioralhealth.com
A D D R E S S 900 Ridge Road, Suite F, Munster, Indiana 46321
F A X 219.228.1083
E M A I L info@anxietybehavioralhealth.com
A D D R E S S 900 Ridge Road, Suite F, Munster, Indiana 46321