Fear Of Going Outside
Want to learn more about Fear Of Going Outside? Discuss and find out how to overcome your the phobia through different treatment options and examples.
Many people live in loneliness and isolation because they suffer from the phobia known as Agoraphobia. The word Agoraphobia’s translated meaning is “fear of the marketplace.” In modern society, the pressures of a fast-paced world may cause some people to withdraw from human contact. They begin to feel safe only when they are within the confines of their own home. This phobia can impact career, relationships, and the ability to raise and care for a family. It also has grave psychological consequences when it goes untreated.
Why Does Agoraphobia Happen?
This phobia can be a response to many different anxieties. Agoraphobia is triggered by stress responses to situations that occur in specific locations. For example, work stress may trigger a fierce desire to avoid the source of one’s worries. Even entering the office or work location will cause fear and a feeling of doom or ill health. Therefore, the person may decide to change their life in order to avoid the intense anxiety they feel at work. This can lead to true Agoraphobia, as well as financial and emotional problems.
The “fear of the marketplace”, or “fear of open spaces” can refer to any location that causes the symptoms of Agoraphobia. Some people become afraid of so many different places, and the emotional reactions that they provoke, that they become “textbook” Agoraphobics, and live the lives of veritable shut-ins.
Symptoms Of Agoraphobia
There is a sense of “sealing oneself off” in those who suffer from this phobia. They will start to suffer panic attacks when they are not in situations and places that they consider “safe”. Whereas, in the beginning, someone who fears going outside may really fear criticism or mockery from people in a certain place, such as school or work, eventually, the mere act of going outside will trigger this same stress reaction. At this level, therapy is required to resolve the issues of the person who suffers from Agoraphobia.
This condition is more apt to afflict those who suffer from bullying, hypersensitivity, or even disability. Anything that makes the affected person stand out from others, in a negative way, may become a trigger for Agoraphobia. Issues such as low self-esteem are more likely to be present in people with this phobia.
Childhood trauma, or traumatic incidents in later years, can also cause a desire to withdraw from society. Any abuse, acts of violence or sexual molestation, or harrassment at work can contribute to a feeling of panic in certain situations. While it is understandable that people who have gone through these experiences seek to leave the rigors of the outside world, it is also very unhealthy in the long run.
Why Is This Phobia Harmful?
Agoraphobia will cause personality changes over time. The longer the person withdraws, the more fearful they will be of the world outside. Any social skills and coping skills they developed before becoming Agoraphobic may erode due to relentless isolation. They may retreat into a world of fantasy, aided by television, film, and the Internet.
Depression often afflicts those who suffer from the fear of going outside. They will be wounded emotionally by their loneliness, and by the terrible anxiety they feel when faced with tasks that must be done outside. All of these factors will hurt their emotional health, and inhibit the natural growth and maturity that should occur through all the decades of life.
Personality Disorders and Agoraphobia
Certain pre-existing mental health issues can exacerbate fear of going outside. Personality disorders such as Avoidant Personality Disorder and Schizoid Personality Disorder will make this phobia a stronger possibility. In persons with these disorders, the personality is affected by social fears and maladjustments that make coping with the outside world very difficult. Therapy for personality disorders is generally long-term, and may help to stave off Agoraphobia.
Treatment Of Fear Of Going Outside
Most phobias benefit from psychotherapy, and this phobia should be addressed by a mental health specialist. Getting at the underlying sources of one’s stress and anxiety will be the best solution for dealing with Agoraphobia.
Alternative therapies such as “tapping therapy”, where gentle tapping of the forehead helps to retrain the brain, have been used with some success. Hypnotherapy, while controversial, has also been used to treat Agoraphobia.
Anti-depressants can ease fears and depression, and make the fear of going outside lessen. Over time, a combination of therapy and medication can help to “open the doors again”, and free the person who suffers from this isolating disorder.
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I have slight agoraphobia. This article was good in that it illustrates the connection between agoraphobia and panic disorders.
I have recently arrived in Canada during December to be with my Canadian partner. I have no vehicle at present, and go out with him to do shopping etc. We also see his family on occasion. While he’s working as a pilot (away a few days at a time) I don’t get out, unless I go out for a walk. I am finding it hard to even contemplate this, especially now that the weather is warming up. Can this immigration move be related to Agoraphobia, and could this become a problem for me? Is it something that can just pop up like this? I would hope that it’s a normal reaction to the new and novel here, and that I may just come right.. ??
I have become increasingly worried about leaving the flat i live in to do anything. I will go for days without leaving the flat once. If there is somethingi need from the shop i will wait until my partner gets home and send him out to get it.
Its really affected my Uni work as if i am on my own in a lesson i just wont go. I also have issues when i have to walk home on my own from anywhere and find it hard to even get to the car.
I used to have a really active social life but i am finding it harder and harder to communicate with people especially if i dont know them where as before i would be the first to chat to a new friend. This has affected my relationship with my friends as i never want to go out of the flat and feel as though people are staring at me and judging me as soon as i leave the flat.
I dont want to be like this anymore. I have forced myself out alone and have been looking for a job but the idea of being out of the flat on my own makes me panic.
please help!!
hiiiiiiii i have a fear of going outside and i go i hve no controls on my emosions thats why my friends make fun of me please help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee……