Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the fear and avoidance of certain places or situations. These situations may feel hard to escape from or be where support is not available, such as:

• public transport
• crowds such as supermarkets or shopping centres
• standing in a queue
• enclosed spaces
• open spaces

Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It's normal to sometimes feel anxious or worried. But when anxiety interferes with your daily life and causes you distress, it becomes a disorder. Agoraphobia can make it hard to go to work or school or socialise with your friends and family.

Agoraphobia is also a type of phobia. It often goes together with panic disorder and panic attacks.

If you need to talk to someone about your mental health, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Agoraphobia leads you to avoid situations that you fear. If you have agoraphobia, situations that make you anxious can cause symptoms like:

• a fast heart rate
• shortness of breath
• panic attacks

A panic attack can cause symptoms like:

• difficulty breathing
• chest pain
• feeling numb or tingly
• a feeling of dread or terror
• feeling that you are separated from your body

You may have agoraphobia even if you don't have panic attacks. Serious agoraphobia can lead to other symptoms, like vertigo or incontinence.

Agoraphobia can be caused by many different things.

It may arise from one or more stressful events. This might include stressful experiences from your childhood.

You are more likely to experience agoraphobia if you:

• often have anxiety
• have a family history of agoraphobia or anxiety
• have had a panic attack in the past

Panic attacks are very distressing. They may make you feel terrified. If you have a panic attack, you may begin to avoid any situation that could trigger another one. Over time, you may avoid more and more places and situations.

You should talk to your doctor if your anxiety:

• affects your daily life
• prevents you from being in certain places or situations
• causes you distress when thinking about certain places or situations

Your doctor can help you find support and understand your treatment options. They can also refer you for more support.

To diagnose agoraphobia, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they affect you. Try to give detailed answers about your experiences. This can help your doctor understand your situation. They may also give you a questionnaire to complete.

Your doctor will make sure there's not another problem that is causing your symptoms. They may give you a physical health check too.

Your doctor can refer you to a mental healthcare professional for more help, such as a:

• psychologist or psychiatrist
• counsellor
• social worker

If you are eligible, they can also help organise a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

There are different treatments that can help you manage and overcome agoraphobia.

With the right support your agoraphobia can improve, or you may be able to recover completely.

Psychological therapy

Psychological therapy such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) helps treat agoraphobia. Therapy can help you to:

• learn why you fear certain places and situations
• learn about anxiety, panic attacks and how they affect your thoughts and body
• manage anxiety and panic attacks when they happen such as with relaxation techniques
• challenge thoughts and feelings that come with anxiety
• change unhelpful behaviours that make your anxiety worse
• understand that you are not alone, or going 'crazy'

Therapy usually takes place by seeing a mental health professional in person. It can sometimes be done online or over the phone. You can talk to your doctor or psychologist about what is best for you.

Medicines

If you have severe anxiety or agoraphobia, or you have another mental health issue as well, your doctor may recommend medicines such as antidepressants.

Ask your doctor if there are any medicines that will help with your agoraphobia.

Support from friends and family

Tell your family and friends about how you are feeling. They can support you.

If you think a person you care about has agoraphobia, read more about supporting someone with a mental illness.

Unmanaged agoraphobia can increase your risk of:

• low self-esteem
• depression
• suicide

Sometimes, the cause of agoraphobia can't be prevented.

If you have agoraphobia, treatment can help prevent your anxiety from getting worse. Therapy can help you to recognise signs of anxiety and learn how to manage them. This can help you to overcome avoidance and prevent panic attacks in a healthy way.

If you begin to feel anxious more often, or go through a stressful event, seek support. Managing anxiety early can help prevent an anxiety disorder such as agoraphobia.

Online information and support for anxiety is available from:

• Beyond Blue — for anyone feeling depressed or anxious, call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.
• Black Dog Institute — online help for people affected by mood disorders.
• Way Ahead website — offers mental health support and information in a range of languages.

There are also organisations that offer online treatment programs.

MindSpot Clinic offers mental health support for Australian adults. You can complete their online assessment to find support that suits you.

This Way Up offers support to help with mental health recovery. You can complete their wellbeing test to find an treatment program that suits you.

Children and young people can get support from:

• ReachOut NextStep
• The BRAVE program
• Kids Helpline — you can call on 1800 55 1800

For advice and to get connected to local mental health services, you can call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.

To find a psychiatrist near you and get help, you can visit Your Health in Mind.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.