AGORAPHOBIA

GENERAL INFORMATION

Agoraphobia is characterized mainly by a fear that causes a person to avoid public places, conditioned by the anticipation of experiencing high levels of anxiety and/or a panic attack.

This fear occurs when the person is exposed to situations where it may be difficult or embarrassing to escape from or where it may be difficult to have help in case of having a panic attack. Symptoms occur such as: dizziness, falling, depersonalization, loss of bowel or bladder control, vomiting or cardiac discomfort.

There are several situations that people with agoraphobia end up avoiding because of the reactions that could be triggered. Some examples are: cinemas, theaters, supermarkets, department stores, elevators, traveling by train, plane or boat, walking on the street and being away from home, among others.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does agoraphobia affect a person´s body?
Strong exposure to stress and frequent anxiety alters the functioning of the immune system whereby the body can weaken and not send the appropriate signals to protect it. It also raises the levels of cortisol, a hormone that in concentrated levels is toxic to brain cells, causing memory loss.

Which is the population most affected by this disorder?
It is usually more frequent among young people aged 18 to 35 years, with a higher prevalence in the female population.

How do the manifestations of this disorder begin?
They begin with the appearance of crisis of anguish, usually in public places. Later, contact with these places will be avoided for fear of repeating the crisis. The fear is exacerbated until the person diminishes or loses altogether their social contact.

What are the consequences of this disorder?
This disorder limits the ability of individuals to lead a normal life because they can seclude themselves in their home, to protect themselves from crises; or on the other hand they develop excessive dependence on others. Depression is often associated with this disorder.

How can an Agoraphobia Disorder be treated?
The aim of the treatment is to generate coping strategies, starting from conceptualizing the causes of the problem—the stormy interpretations of the person are elaborated—through restructuring how he or she perceives their bodily sensations and generating relaxation tools that allow them to control the fear.

OUR TREATMENT MODEL

CADE offers a multidisciplinary treatment according to the characteristics and needs of the patient that is based on the patient´s diagnosis and an individual intervention plan.

A psychological or psychiatric disorder generally has a genetic or biological origin detonated by difficult and early or current traumatic experiences that lead the individual to become ill. Therefore, the clinical intervention in these disorders necessitates the multidisciplinary work of psychiatry, psychology, medicine, nutrition and complementary therapies. The treatment can be outpatient, inpatient or semi-inpatient based.