Agoraphobia refers to the fear of mixing with people which creates the tendency of staying at home to avoid any social contacts.
The common reason behind Agoraphobia is:
- Feeling of discomfort while meeting with people
- Getting infected with germs etc.
Symptoms of Agoraphobia includes:
- Fear of:
- Leaving home alone
- Public places, public transportation, crowds
- Feeling of detachment
- Anxiety
Here are some tips on how agoraphobia can be taken under control:
- Giving enough time for self-development:
Going out of home creates anxiety in such situation. Therefore, it is critical to take preparation before stepping out of home for near future outdoor experiences.
- Breathing exercise:
Doing breathing exercises regularly can help control the level of anxiety of mixing with people.
- Keeping notes of own feelings:
Keeping a note regarding the circumstances which are leading to fear and anxiety might help to solve the issues.
- Fighting the fear:
Challenging the fear and facing the situations you are afraid of can help you to overcome it (stepping outside the home for a brief period).
- Using imagination:
It is a psychological technique were imagining about the situation step by step that you are about to do helps to face the real-life situation.
- Seeking support from friends and family:
Family, friends or any formal support group can help to deal with agoraphobia. The person suffering from this phobia needs enormous amount of emotional, social and mental support.
- Asking for professional helps:
Psychological therapies need to be taken if it is becoming exceedingly difficult to overcome agoraphobia.
Agoraphobia is nothing but a phobia that can be defeated with a strong mindset. By following the tips mentioned above, agoraphobia can be managed.
Written by
Ms Saiyeda Asea Asha, Dr. Sabrina Choudhury, Dr. Nafis Rahman Purna and Ms Rawan Mosaddeque
Women Support Initiative Forum-WSIF
