Agoraphobia is not the opposite of claustrophobia, but many people think that it is. In fact, I used to think exactly that. I used to think exactly that even when I suffered from agoraphobia. I was even offered the chance to join an agoraphobic group, but I said no because I wasn’t afraid of open spaces. I quite liked open spaces as long as there was no one else near me. In fact, if there weren’t any other human beings in sight, that was fine as far as I was concerned. But that was all a long time ago.
The translation of agoraphobia is ‘fear of the market’, not, as many people think, fear of open spaces. the essence of market It’s the people and human interaction. This is what is scary. The places that agoraphobics tend to avoid or have problems with are supermarkets, theaters, cinemas, crowds, parties. Places where a quick exit can be difficult.
The fear is usually that of showing oneself in some way in the eyes of others. Agoraphobics typically worry about things like: vomiting (usually as a result of severe anxiety); Fainting; have a panic attack; or suffer a genuine health emergency such as a heart attack. The worry is often one of embarrassment, perhaps passing out and finding yourself on a supermarket floor looking at a circle of worried faces who will insist on making a fuss and calling an ambulance.
Many agoraphobics manage to get by with a trusted helper accompanying them when they need to go shopping or socialize. This person is there to rescue them and take them home in case something bad happens, like a panic attack. But when that helper is not available, life is very restricted.
If medical help is obtained, the most likely result is medication with tranquilizers and antidepressants. None of which solve the problem, they only allow a minimal level of functionality. The problem remains, like a monster in the closet, waiting to show its scary face as soon as you turn off the lights or look away. So you’re stuck. The medication keeps the monster locked in the closet, but it doesn’t get rid of it. Stop the medication and the monster will be free once more.
Life as an agoraphobic is not fun at all.
So if you’re an agoraphobic and you’re reading this, I want to reassure you of a few things:
- This is not a disease, but you can ‘cure’ it.
- There is nothing physically wrong with you
- Your brain is as normal as anyone else’s.
- The cause is your way of thinking.
- The cure is changing the way you think.
Changing the way you think is not easy, but it is much easier than living the isolated and fearful life of an agoraphobic.
When you think about the totality of the change you need to make, it seems like an insurmountable task.
When you think about the next single step you need to take, it becomes not only possible, but relatively easy.
The first steps are the most difficult. Each step after the first few becomes easier. They become easier because you have the memory of success and the knowledge that what you are doing is already making a positive difference in your life.
